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Thursday, March 12, 2009
Mishandled Group Home Leads to Fatal Confrontation
In January, Osman Abdullahi was shot by a police officer at his residence near H Street NE, in Washington, DC, where he had lived since the previous November. Police were called to the house when Abdullahi attacked a fellow resident. Abdullahi then turned his attacks upon the police officers, one of whom shot and killed him.
The house where Abdullahi had taken up residence was purportedly a group home for the mentally ill, but subsequent investigation has uncovered a complete lack of medical care or even supervision in this residence. Other similar residences, all owned by Mark Spence, showed similar signs of medical negligence and lack of care. In this unregulated environment, Abdullahi had stopped taking his prescribed medications, allowing his paranoid condition to intensify. Representatives from the Department of Mental Health, who arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting, found a house without heat, with blood still coating the floor.
City records show that Mark Spence runs a nonprofit organization called Hopefinders, Inc. Its purpose is to provide housing for the mentally ill, but the condition of his various group homes shows a profound lack of care. In fact, in 2003, the Department of Mental Health removed his facilities from their list of acceptable placements for patients.
As demonstrated by the case of Osman Abdullahi, this kind of negligence can have serious consequences. Owners of group homes, nursing homes, and other similar facilities have a responsibility toward their patients. The decision to put a loved one into a group home or assisted care facility is difficult enough without having to worry about neglect or abuse.
If you feel a loved one has suffered neglect at a group home, nursing home, or other care facility, please contact The Cochran Firm. The experienced nursing home negligence and medical malpractice attorneys at The Cochran Firm's Washington, D.C. office can help you assemble your case.
The house where Abdullahi had taken up residence was purportedly a group home for the mentally ill, but subsequent investigation has uncovered a complete lack of medical care or even supervision in this residence. Other similar residences, all owned by Mark Spence, showed similar signs of medical negligence and lack of care. In this unregulated environment, Abdullahi had stopped taking his prescribed medications, allowing his paranoid condition to intensify. Representatives from the Department of Mental Health, who arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting, found a house without heat, with blood still coating the floor.
City records show that Mark Spence runs a nonprofit organization called Hopefinders, Inc. Its purpose is to provide housing for the mentally ill, but the condition of his various group homes shows a profound lack of care. In fact, in 2003, the Department of Mental Health removed his facilities from their list of acceptable placements for patients.
As demonstrated by the case of Osman Abdullahi, this kind of negligence can have serious consequences. Owners of group homes, nursing homes, and other similar facilities have a responsibility toward their patients. The decision to put a loved one into a group home or assisted care facility is difficult enough without having to worry about neglect or abuse.
If you feel a loved one has suffered neglect at a group home, nursing home, or other care facility, please contact The Cochran Firm. The experienced nursing home negligence and medical malpractice attorneys at The Cochran Firm's Washington, D.C. office can help you assemble your case.
Labels: DC
posted by Anonymous at 8:01 AM
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