What really happened at Bellwether New Jersey

By Elizabeth Scheinberg

There is a distinct difference from what Bellwether promised the State of New Jersey, it's residents with disabilities and the families who had cared for them the day their child received her first diagnosis. While stories of satisfaction do exist, Bellwether couldn't maintain the staffing to ensure quality in all of its 60 plus facilities.

On June 27th, the New Jersey Record revealed detailed confirmed accounts of abuse cited in State inspections and reviews of the companies community facilities. It was dark.
https://www.app.com/story/news/investigations/watchdog/2019/06/27/bellwether-behavioral-health-group-home-nj-failed-while-collecting-taxpayer-money/1582291001/?fbclid=IwAR0QUbZ74wl3Pe92Gii2EAWaR9-AOCtvbub-cl9E5WuzXbsb9epRt3S2Qsg

What follows is an abbreviated account of the violations documented and confirmed by reporters Kim Mullford, Gene Meyers, Lindy Washburn, and David M. Zimmer. Thank you for your thoroughness and attentiveness to the needs of those without a voice.

The state found:

In Susan's Osborne's chart, it was clearly indicated that her meals be cut into small bites and be observed by staff her during meals so that "she wouldn't stuff her mouth swallow too quickly." These were medical orders entered into Susan's care plan by HER DOCTOR. It didn't make sense that a staff member would neglect these orders. Nonetheless, Susan died May 30th after choking on her meal. It's alleged that three staff members immediately moved to cover-up the cause of her death. A lawsuit filed by Susan's guardians paints a grim picture of her death, the cover-up, and finally the admission from staff that they had not followed her doctor's orders. Bellwether is named in the suit; their response is to blame to the employees. BLAME THE EMPLOYEES? Bellwether hired the EMPLOYEES. Bellwether trained the EMPLOYEES. Susan's death is a shared preventable tragedy for which Bellwether should accept ownership of due to their failure to ensure her safety and care.
Joshua Hays was another resident in Susan's home. At 24, he was challenged by autism and pica. In 2016, Joshua needed surgery to remove indigestible items, including balloons and rubber gloves that he had eaten as a result of his pica. Bellwether, then known as Advoserv, assigned employees to the hospital to observe Joshua's recovery from surgery. During his first 36 hours under the oversight of his "observer," he removed and ingested his abdominal bandages. According to court records, the family settled its lawsuit for $575,000.
In May 2017, Carlos Beltre died under what his family felt where mysterious circumstances. His sisters had noticed that Carlos often had injuries during visitation - a split lip, a black eye, and cuts that had been stitched at the hospital. On May 17, one of his sisters received a call that he had stopped breathing. His death certificate states he died from an irregular heartbeat of unknown cause - while in the direct sight of staff. The family is currently litigating the events that led to Carlos's death.
A few days later, in another home, Francesca Gregorio, got up in the middle of the night in search of something to eat. The kitchen cabinets were supposed to be locked and Francesca was supposed to be supervised. However, she found an open cabinet and drank a bottle of oven cleaner. After the initial agony, she fell into a coma at the hospital. She's now a resident of a rehabilitation facility where she receives all of her nutrition through a feeding tube. She can no longer walk.
In Gloucester County, Lauren Page was punched in the face by a staff member. She had to have surgery to repair her broken eye socket. The employee pled guilty to assault and was placed on 1 year probation. Lauren now suffers from PTSD.
Nicholas Mayer had autism. At a doctor's appointment with his mother, she notices scratches and similar injuries. Nicholas told her that they were from being restrained. When his mother investigated, she found the staff had a code word they used to get Nicholas worked up so that they could restrain him. She reported what she learned to the state. The state confirmed the assertion.