Audit Questions Mental Health Department Actions

State Auditor Claire McCaskill has released an audit reviewing how well the State Department of Mental Health tracks, investigates, and handles accusations of abuse or neglect of the mentally handicapped under state care. Among the findings: Auditors found criminal background check procedures were not always followed, leading to felons continuing to work with those under state care. In one case, a background check discovered multiple felonies against a particular employee working at a state-run facility, but that employee was not immediately fired. The report shows that during the time the results of the background check were known and the time the employee was dismissed, that employee sexually abused a patient.

Related web sites:
Report on Mental Health Abuses