Scalding Blamed for Death of Habilitation Center Resident

The St. Louis Medical Examiner says a 35-year old disabled man has died from scalding at a state-run facility for the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled. Police are investigating the death of Rutheford Wallace, who was 35. He died in a Creve Coeur hospital after suffering three heart attacks, which the medical exmainer says were caused by the scalding. Wallace was mentally retarded and partly paralyzed. Two employees have left the Northwest Habilitation Center in St. Louis since his death. Police and the medical examiner have not determined if his death is the result of an accident or a crime. They, and the State Mental Health Department, are investigating the circumstances.