PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island lawmakers resolved to keep a closer eye on St. Mary’s Home for Children and the agencies responsible for holding it accountable at a meeting Tuesday night.
Members of the R.I. House Oversight Committee came to this decision after learning the details of a damning 119-page report by the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) that revealed neglect, abuse, and serious safety concerns at the residential psychiatric facility in North Providence.
“We trusted them to care for our neediest and most vulnerable children and they failed,” said Rep. Patricia Serpa, who chairs the committee.
The lawmakers heard testimony from acting child advocate Katelyn Medeiros, who explained the incident that brought St. Mary’s to the OCA’s attention.
“St. Mary’s is a residential facility for children with a history of sexual abuse, along with psychiatric illness or special education challenges,” Medeiros told the House Oversight Committee. “The allegation that prompted an eight-month investigation, though, was that a young person overdosed in St. Mary’s care.”