Free Walden
Disability, Intersectionality. Autonomy, Human Rights, and
the Fight to Shut Down the Judge Rotenberg Center
Selected Disabled Persons Protection Commission Complaints Regarding Abuse and Neglect at the Judge Rotenberg Center from January 2017 to June 2020
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DPPC Allegations Glossary
The Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) has jurisdiction over disabled adults ages 18-59 who have suffered “serious physical and/or emotional injury through the act and/or omission of their caregivers”.
The Department of Children and Family Services ((DCF) serves people ages 17 and under who have suffered serious abuse or neglect.
Department of Developmental Services (DDS) provides support for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
The Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) provides people ages 60 and above with resources and support.
The Department of Mental Health (DMH) provides people with mental health conditions with services and support.
The Department of Public Health (DPH) assesses the quality and safety of health care facilities and services.
The Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit reviews every DPPC complaint regarding abuse to see if criminal activity is occurring. When SPDU believes that a crime may have occurred it is forwarded to the DA’s Office.
ALV or Alv-Alleged Victim
ALAB or Alab-Alleged Abuser
OI-Other Individual
Screening Decisions:
4A
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Reports that involve a hospital or nursing/long-term-care facility (which are referred to the DPH,
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Reports that involve a victim under the age of 18 (which are referred to DCF), and
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Reports that involve a victim over the age of 59 (which are referred to the EOEA).
4B
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Cases where the alleged abuser was employed by a state agency, which would require DPPC to conduct the abuse investigation.
4C
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Cases where the alleged abuser was not employed by a state agency.
Substantiated Complaints
Abuse is substantiated when there is enough evidence to conclude that an act, or neglect, by the alleged abuser resulted in serious physical or emotional injury to the alleged victim
Case Number: 152984
Intake Date: 1/09/2017
Vendor: Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Protective Service Agency: DDS
Referral Agency: DPPC
Overall Finding: Substantiated
Screening Decision: 4C
Referred to DA: Yes
Source Date: 1/09/2017
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Alleged Summary:
It was reported that Alab had sex with Alv 10-12 times over a 2 month span in his residence, when other staff and students were downstairs. This sexual activity was reportedly consensual, to include intercourse. Alv said that this last happened in early November. Alab worked there on the 6, 8, 9 and 19th of November. Staff is checking footage of a hallway camera now to see what can be shown. There is no camera in the bathroom. (redacted) states that Alv has the capacity to consent to sex, however, Alab is a staff person.
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Case Number: 168838
Intake Date: 05/18/2018
Vendor: Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Protective Service Agency: DDS
Referral Agency: DPPC
Overall Finding: Substantiated alab 2 only
Screening Decision: 4B
Referred to DA: No
Source Date:
Alleged Summary:
On 05/01/2018 at 7:06 a.m. the ALV was physically restrained. ALAB 1 and ALAB 2 were more forceful than they should have been to the ALV. Alv was complaining of pain and discomfort and the ALAB 1 and ALAB 2 were using techniques that were not in line with the safety procedures of the facility. The ALV had an avulsion fracture to his left elbow. The Alv went to the (redacted) hospital and they did an x-ray. (redacted) states that the ALAB1 and ALAB 2 are on suspension.
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Case Number: 173411
Intake Date: 09/25/2018
Vendor: Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Protective Service Agency: DDS
Referral Agency: DPPC
Overall Finding: Substantiated
Screening Decision: 4B
Referred to DA: Yes
Source Date: 09/25/2018
Alleged Summary:
This incident happened today 9/25/18. ALV became behavioral. ALAB proceeded to restrain ALV. ALAB bit ALV in his private area while restraining ALV. ALAB scratched ALV's left eye, scratched ALV's neck and spat at ALV.
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Case Number: 176370
Intake Date: 12/17/2018
Vendor: Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Protective Service Agency: DDS
Referral Agency: DDS
Overall Finding: Substantiated
Screening Decision: 4B
Referred to DA: No
Source Date: 12/27/2018
Alleged Summary:
On 12/13/2018, ALV made an allegation of staff pulling her hair during transport on the van. Footage was reviewed today and ALAB was confirmed to have done it. No known injury at time of filing. ALAB was removed from shift pending investigation. Police not notified. After review if any indication that the ALV sustained an injury DPPC should be contacted regarding rescreening. 12/27/18-updated info, it appears that the ALV did i fact sustain and emotional injury and abuse per se (pulling of hair) case rescreened in for 19c.
Case Number: 181263
Intake Date: 05/01/2019
Vendor: Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Protective Service Agency: DDS
Referral Agency: DPPC
Overall Finding: Substantiated
Screening Decision: 4B
Referred to DA: Yes
Source Date: 05/02/2010
Alleged Summary:
ALAB was observed on school camera punching Alv in the face. This took place on 5/1/2019 in Class room (Redacted) Alv may have black eye tomorrow. ALAB has been removed from the schedule as of now.
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Case Number: 187915
Intake Date: 10/19/2019
Vendor: Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Protective Service Agency: DDS
Referral Agency: DDS
Overall Finding: Substantiated
Screening Decision: 4B
Referred to DA: Yes
Source Date: 10/21/2019
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Alleged Summary:
While Alv was in restraints ALAB hit Alv in the chest and pushed his head into a window. ALAB gave Alv the key to unlock himself and challenged him to a fight. The two got into a fist fight. Then ALAB walked away. Alv also stated that ALAB also hit him. 11/7/2019 updated information-the assault began in the van somewhere on Route 24. The ALAB hit the Alv in the chest and his head against the window. The assault continued at the residence where the ALAB challenged Alv to a fight and physically assaulted the Alv behind the residence.
Case Number: 188669
Intake Date: 11/07/2019
Vendor: Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Protective Service Agency: DDS
Referral Agency: DPPC
Overall Finding: Substantiated
Screening Decision: 4B
Referred to DA: Yes
Source Date: 11/07/2019
Alleged Summary:
On 8/12/19 ALAB was observed to have placed Alv on head style choke hold. ALAB punched Alv in the face.. ALAB spat at Alv. Alv was on a face up position and ALAB kicked Alv in the head on his way out of the room. Alv was seen by (Redacted) the same day. Alv had a bruise on his right eye and a superficial cut over the nose.
Case Number: 194480
Intake Date: 04/23/2019
Vendor: Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Protective Service Agency: DDS
Referral Agency: DPPC
Overall Finding: Substantiated
Screening Decision: 4B
Referred to DA: no
Source Date: 04/24/2020
Alleged Summary:
On 4/22/2020 around 7:28PM and 7:30PM, the Alv reported to (redacted) that ALAB attempted to kiss her on a few occasions. Alv did not tell anyone until a few days ago because she felt bad for the ALAB. The Alv told (redacted) that there is camera footage of ALAB giving the Alv her medicine and he leaned in for a kiss and Alv pulled back. Alv took her medication and started walking up the stairs; the ALAB followed and put his hands on her rear end.. The ALAB then pulled himself closer toward the Alv, but the rest is off camera. Alv also mentioned that the ALAB licked her on the neck.
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Case Number: 195260
Intake Date: 05/08/2020
Vendor: Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Protective Service Agency: DDS
Referral Agency: DPPC
Overall Finding: Substantiated
Screening Decision: 4C
Referred to DA: Yes
Source Date: 05/08/2020
Alleged Summary:
On 05/18/2020, ALV asked ALAB to leave him alone repeatedly. ALAB pushed ALV into a wall and Alv punched ALAB in the face. Another staff brought Alv to the kitchen and attempted to restrain ALV. ALAB intervened and choked Alv with two hands. Alv has marks and lacerations on his neck near the chest area. Information received by fax.
Unsubstantiated Complaints
Abuse is unsubstantiated when there is not enough evidence to conclude that the alleged abuser caused serious injury to the victim
Case Number: 153104
Intake Date: 1/09/2017
Vendor: Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Protective Service Agency: DDS
Referral Agency: DPPC
Overall Finding: Unsubstantiated
Screening Decision: 4B
Referred to DA: Yes
Source Date: 1/12/2017
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Alleged Summary:
On 1/11/17 (redacted) was informed by another resident that attends the Alv's facility about an incident that occurred on 1/5/2017. The ALV was on a bus accompanied by the ALAB. The ALV and the ALAB were sitting side by side on a bus transporting the residents. The ALAB waited until the lights were off on the bus and then the ALAB punched the ALV in the face numerous times. (redacted) does not know if the ALV was injured emotionally because she did not witness the incident.
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Case Number: 192135
Intake Date: 2/10/2020
Vendor: Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Protective Service Agency: DDS
Referral Agency: DPPC
Overall Finding: Unsubstantiated
Screening Decision: 4B
Referred to DA: Yes
Source Date: 2/11/2020
Alleged Summary:
(redacted) suspects that the ALV is possibly being physically abused by some individual. (redacted) stated that she's a "doctor" and she allegedly consulted another doctor who stated that the lacerations that the ALV sustained were not self-inflicted but rather done by an individual or group of individuals. The ALV sustained multiple lacerations to the upper chest and neck area. It's undetermined how the ALV got the lacerations. (redacted) does not have any proof that the lacerations were caused by any other individuals, but she suspects that it could possibly be (redacted).
Complaints That Were "Screened Out"
When the alleged victim is younger than 18 or older than 50; or when the facility as a whole is at fault, cases are “Screened Out” and sent to the Department of Children and Family Services, Executive Office of Elder Affairs, or the Department of Public Health.
Case Number: 157340
Intake Date: 05/31/2017
Vendor: Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Protective Service Agency: DDS
Referral Agency DDS
Overall Finding: (Blank)
Screening Decision: OUT
Referred to DA: No
Source Date: 5/31/2017
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Alleged Summary:
On 5/27/2017, Alv and a few staff and peers were on an outing at Six Flags. Staff had taken the meds for the clients with them. Alv who does not take any psych meds was given someone else’s meds. He was given numerous psych meds such as Lithium. Lubax, Trazadine, Depakote. After taking the meds Alv had a hard time staying awake, was shaky and had some slur speech. Nurse was notified and it was advised that Alv be taken from Six Flags to Mercy Medical Center in Springfield. Alv was seen by doctor who indicated that a sing;e dose pf each of the meds are unlikely to cause any untoward effects except some transient sleepiness. Alv to be monitored. The ALAB was placed om restriction, taken off schedule without pay, pending further investigation.
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Case Number: 167756
Intake Date: 4/24/2018
Vendor: Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Protective Service Agency: DDS
Referral Agency DDS
Overall Finding:
Screening Decision: Out
Referred to DA: No
Source Date: 6/06/2018
Alleged Summary:
The incident happened on 4/24/18 around 9am. There are several students that wear backpacks that are connected to wires and connected to straps that are on their bodies. The transmitter that sends electric shocks, and are directly coded to each client, were left out and anyone may have had access to the transmitters in the file room. There was no staff nearby in the room and other clients could have had access to them. The transmitters should never be left unattended for obvious reasons.
Case Number: 192892
Intake Dates: 3/1/2020
Vendor: Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Protective Service Agency: DDS
Referral Agency: DDS
Overall Finding:
Screening Decision: Out
Referred to DA: No
Source Dat: 3/2/2020
Alleged Summary:
ALV needs to get to "Level 12" in program in order to be discharged, but ALV states that he cannot get to that level without the requested psychiatric medications/coping skills, which are being denied by ALAB. ALAB has added to ALV’s behavior plan a restriction that goes into place if Alv makes a report/complaint with DPPC or Human Rights Office at JRC, making it difficult for ALV to advocate for himself and/or get the help he needs. ALAB has made ALV sit in bed all day as punishment for behavior infractions. When ALV makes complaints with the DPPC, investigators are required to speak to staff at JRC first, making ALV appear to be a “liar”. ALV requests that investigators speak to ALV before speaking to JRC staff.
Intake Date: 193603
Vendor: Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Protective Service Agency: DDS
Referral Agency: DCF
Overall Finding:
Screening Decision: 4A
Referred to DA: Yes
Source Date: 3/23/2020
Alleged Summary:
According to the reporter, the OI was grooming the ALV for sexual activities. The OI and ALV are roommates. The OI took a bed sheet and blocked the ALV's bunk from the view of the camera. The OI had been saying sexual comments to ALV, including asking for anal sex and things of that nature. In the video footage, the ALV is seen getting into sexual type positions and the OI grabbing a container of something that could have been used as lubricant.
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Case Number: 194694
Intake Date: 04/30/2020
Vendor: Judge Rotenberg Education Center
Protective Service Agency: DDS
Referral Agency: DDS
Overall Finding:
Screening Decision: Out
Referred to DA: No
Source Date: 05/01/2020
Alleged Summary:
The ALV has been on safety protocol for two weeks and the ALAB is keeping her confined to her room and she is only able to go out of her room for one hour and a half a day, and he refuses to give her a reason. The ALV has a TV in her room, but he does not let her use the TV and even though she has been behaving, ALAB is not letting her go out her room.