New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Group home under investigation by DCF
A lawsuit has been filed against the operators of a state-funded Connecticut group home for children, alleging that an underage resident was physically assaulted while a resident of the facility.
While a resident at a temporary shelter for youth operated by the Bridge Family Center, the lawsuit alleges that the 14-year-old, identified only as Jane Doe, was allowed to “freely leave” the facility, which exposed her to the possibility of physical assault.
The lawsuit alleges that the youth sustained physical injuries as a result of that assault, and does not name a perpetrator of that assault.
Bridge Family Center Executive Director Margaret Hann said this is the only lawsuit of its kind filed against the center in the 37 years she’s been employed there. The group home, located in Harwinton, is one of seven similar “Short Term Assessment & Respite” residences.
“We extend our heartfelt concern to Jane Doe and the family,” Hann said during an interview. “There are two sides to every story and out of respect for Jane Doe and her family we will not share our side in public.”
In a prepared statement, Hann said the Bridge Center could not discuss legal matters publicly, “even though there are additional details in this case that will be divulged.”
“Immediate and corrective measures were taken and we are in constant communication with DCF and those involved in this ongoing matter,” Hann said in a statement.
Late Friday afternoon the General Assembly’s Children’s Committee said it would hold an informational hearing on the Bridge facility in Harwinton on Oct. 10.
“We recognize that there is an issue at the STAR Home in Harwinton and we need to find solutions that build upon our current successes with diversionary programs,” said state Sen. Ceci Maher, a Democrat from Wilton who is cochair of the committee, in a press release. “The informational hearing we’re holding on October 10 will allow us to hear from all stakeholders and help to provide a path forward.”
State officials are continuing to investigate the group home. State Department of Children and Families spokesperson Ken Mysogland confirmed that the agency is investigating “allegations of child maltreatment, high incidents of runaways, and concerns surrounding lack of appropriate response by the facility when youth were in crisis.”
Mysogland described the group homes as emergency shelters for youth who “have experienced trauma, substance misuse by caretakers, domestic violence, or other factors in their homes which have impacted their behaviors.”
“Obviously, from the information that has been reported, the defendant betrayed the trust of these girls, their families and the citizens of the State of Connecticut. We will seek to hold them legally accountable for the harms and losses sustained in this instance,” said attorney Tim O’Keefe, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of Jane Doe, in a prepared statement.
Four of the seven STAR homes in Connecticut are operated by the Bridge Family Center. The center has operated STAR homes since 2008, and has served 350 children since then, Hann said.
“Emergency shelters are unlocked open settings,” Mysogland said last week by email. “The youth who are placed into a STAR program attend school in the community, may have a job, and participate in activities outside of the facility such as sports, volunteer and attend behavioral health appointments with local professionals.”
The lawsuit, filed Thursday, alleges that the Bridge Family Center failed to properly supervise the minor residents of the facility, failed to properly train staff and failed to equip the facility with appropriate security measures, among other allegations.
That, the lawsuit alleges, resulted in a physical assault and exposed the 14year-old resident to illegal activities, “including sexual assault.”
DCF placed the site on a corrective action plan on July 27, with 60 days to address identified issues.