PERRYSVILLE — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced Wednesday he has filed a lawsuit seeking to remove owners of the Mohican Young Star Academy from operating the facility for improperly restraining youth being treated for mental-health issues.
Yost filed the action on behalf of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS).
The lawsuit, filed in Ashland County Common Pleas Court, seeks an immediate injunction to stop Olga Starr, owner of Mohican Young Star, from operating the facility and to transfer operations to a third-party receiver.
Starr released a statement late on Wednesday afternoon denying the allegations. It can be read in its entirety at this link.
In an emailed press release, Yost said the legal action came after a state inspection at the youth residential treatment center in Perrysville found numerous reports of resident abuse and a gross lack of reporting of the use of restraints as required by law.
“These youth were in need of treatment and compassion, but instead were held down and traumatized,” Yost said. “There’s a clear line between therapy and abuse and that’s why we are before the court.”
Mohican is a residential facility to help treat youth suffering from mental health and/or addiction issues.
According to the facility’s website: “We strive to create an environment for children to make positive changes in and become accountable for their attitudes and behaviors, recognize their strengths and weaknesses and achieve the level of emotional and mental maturity to become productive members of society.”
Mohican states that its treatment philosophy follows this ideal: “Our philosophy places emphasis on the present and combines social learning theory and behavior management to create a basis of structure. Structure is developed through consistent routines and disciplined approach to treatment and learning. Our treatment philosophy is two-fold: preventative and transitional.
“Preventative care addresses the treatment and modification of nonproductive, unacceptable behavior in order to prevent further out-of-home placements. Transitional care enables a gradual transition from disruptive to permanent, stable environments.”
According to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the department inspected the facility and interviewed several residents who said they were subject to restraint and abuse. Investigations found video surveillance of the incidents in which improper restraint techniques were used, putting the youth at risk, Yost said.
Several victims, all under the age of 18, reported being improperly restrained by staff members which resulted in injuries.
Based on those facts, Yost said investigators determined there was present danger to the health and safety of the youth residing at Mohican.
“Our priority is the safety, health, and well-being of these youth. What they experienced at the hands of adults who should have been providing hope and healing is abusive and unacceptable,” said Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services Director Lori Criss.
“I am grateful for the bravery of those who spoke up, and I appreciate the urgent and careful work of our staff and the Attorney General to protect them and ensure they can safely continue their treatment and recovery.”
Yost asked the court to issue an order immediately allowing a different licensed operator to take over management of the facility, so that the residents can be protected without the trauma of a sudden relocation.
Yost petitioned the court to appoint Wingspan Care Group as receiver to provide immediate care for the residents and assume supervision and management of the facility, residents and staff, according to the standards of quality and care required by the state, and if needed, manage the safe transition of the youth to other facilities to continue their care.
According to Yost, OhioMHAS staff is currently onsite at Mohican Young Star Academy and will remain so through the transition to assist residents and their families.
OhioMHAS is the licensing and regulatory authority over providers of behavioral services to ensure the safety, health and well-being of Ohioans receiving care and treatment from these providers.
If a provider fails to meet the appropriate standards or has been found to be engaging in improper or illegal behavior, Yost said the department will take action to protect the Ohioans in their care.
Ohioans receiving behavioral health services have the right to have their concerns and complaints heard, and OhioMHAS provides a variety of advocacy services and assistance to resolve complaints and grievances.
For more information, visit www.mha.ohio.gov/families-children-and-adults/get-help/client-rights or call the department’s consumer and family toll-free Bridge line at 1-877-275-6364.
