Helping Hands group home to permanently close; DHS investigating other locations after abuse allegations, Milwaukee alderman says
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Nearly three weeks after CBS 58 first broke reports of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse allegations toward a Milwaukee group home on S. Sunset Dr., both city and state officials said Monday the location will permanently shut down.
Throughout the month of September, CBS 58 spoke with multiple former supervisors and caregivers at different locations for Helping Hands on 75, who decided to come forward with claims of witnessed abuse and neglect from other employees toward clients -- many of whom are disabled or have special needs.
CBS 58 also spoke with Katherine Hauglie, the mother of a former client who'd been under Helping Hands care for several years, after her nonverbal and autistic adult son was seen on cellphone video being violently hit by a caregiver on July 9.
A protest was held in support of her son, which later prompted our investigation.
That caregiver has since been fired, arrested, and charged. He will be in court on Oct. 3.
On Sept. 25, concerned neighbors and affected families met with District 11 Ald. Mark Borkowski and State Rep. Bob Donovan (R), who held the public meeting to address concerns.
“I confirmed it this morning, that even though this home is under investigation, they will be permanently closing this facility," Ald. Borkowski said, referencing the Sunset Dr. location, amid cheers and applause from residents.
The alderman told CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White he first heard complaints "a year and a half ago."
But neighbors said reports to 911, police departments, and the state Department of Health go back years.
“To realize that this is going on in our own neighborhood next door, at their other facilities, you know, what hasn’t been said," said Christine Zachar, who lives by the Sunset Dr. location. “Caretakers throwing people down, hands around the neck, choking, slaps, calls for help... we're not going to let it go."
Zachar was joined by several holding signs of support, including Hauglie, who came with photos of her son's reported abuse.
“My son can’t speak, so that’s why I’m here. I’m speaking for him and I’m gonna fight till the end," Hauglie said.
The Wisconsin State Department of Health Services (DHS) lists several group homes all under the same Helping Hands on 75 ownerships.
Rep. Donovan said he spoke with the owners of the homes earlier Monday, who said they were "backing away, certainly, from this home."
"I’m told within the next couple months, they will probably be shutting down the other homes as well," Rep. Donovan said. “I think they’re decent guys, they realize that there were problems, they’ve attempted to try their best to rectify some of them. I think they just got in over their head.”
But former Helping Hands employees CBS 58 previously spoke with said the owners had been well aware of the numerous issues, from client abuse to claims of sexual assault between employees and also toward clients, to some caregivers smoking marijuana on the job, and more.
An attorney for Helping Hands sent CBS 58 a statement on Sept. 13 that said the owners confirmed the incident caught on camera but denied the other accusations, calling them "untrue."
When asked to clarify what specifically was untrue, we never heard back.
Hauglie said she plans to file lawsuits against the owners, the District 6 Police Department, and family support.
Officials said they are continuing to work with police and the DHS who are investigating the rest of the Helping Hands locations.
“Tell your stories. Tell your loved one's stories. Make sure it’s brought out to light," Zachar said.
If you have any information, please email [email protected].
PREVIOUS CBS 58 STORIES ON HELPING HANDS:
'We have seen the video:' Owner of Helping Hands group home speaks about abuse allegations
'Management knows:' Former caregiver details 'horrifying' experience working at Milwaukee group home
MPD call log shows 18 calls for battery at Helping Hands group home where autistic man was assaulted
Caregiver arrested in ongoing Helping Hands investigation, alleged abuse reported Monday
Former worker at Helping Hands group home charged with abusing resident