In Memory of Joseph Beaudoin, killed on February 21st at the (still operating) Fairfield Center
The family of an autistic man, 50-year-old Joseph Beaudoin, has sued the owners and operators of the Fairfield Center, as well as the Butler County (Ohio) mental retardation board, according to the Enquirer.com. Mr. Beaudoin was beaten and strangled by his roommate, 21-year-old Edward Shuman, who is mentally retarded on February 21st at the Fairfield Center, which is located about 15 miles north of Cincinnati. Mr. Beaudoin’s family accuses the Center of placing him with Mr. Shuman, who had a past history of violent behaviors. The family is seeking $10 million in compensation and $10 million in punitive damages.
The Fairfield Center’s admissions have been suspended; the Ohio Department of MRDD has issued more than a few citations against it. The Fairfield Echo reports this about another resident:
The Ohio Department of MRDD is not allowing the Fairfield Center to accept new residents, and must address why a resident was left unattended and fastened in a shower chair as water ran over his head.
The man, identified as D. P., was left unattended March 3 and is supposed to have a staff member within five feet and visual range when he is not in bed, according to the citation survey conducted on March 20. In the individual’s profile, it directs, “Do not leave (D. P.) unattended in the shower chair. Monitor (D. P.) for drinking out of the shower sprayer and sinks.”
The citation — for not following the residents individual plan — did not indicate if the man was injured in the incident.
All of this is shocking. But what shocks me the most is why, after Joseph Beaudoin was killed on Feburary 21st, the Fairfield Center was not simply shut down.
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POSTED IN: Living Arrangements, Safety, Uncategorized
5 opinions for In Memory of Joseph Beaudoin, killed on February 21st at the (still operating) Fairfield Center
Tina Beaudoin Borich
Jun 1, 2006 at 7:05 pm
Kristina,
I just want to thank you for your words of rememberance for my brother Jo Jo. He did not deserve to die this way. It was so wrong to put Teddy Schuman in with my brother when Fairfield center knew his aggressive background and chose to ignore it.
Bless you.
Tina
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jun 2, 2006 at 11:33 am
Dear Ms. Beaudoin,
Thank you for your very kind comment—-it was more than terrible to read about what happened to your brother Joseph. Please let us know about any developments in your suit against the owners and operators of the Fairfield Center.
Sincerely,
Kristina Chew
Autism Vox » More violations at the Fairfield Center, where Joseph Beaudoin was killed
Jun 28, 2006 at 11:04 am
[…] The Fairfield Center, the Ohio privately-run center for the mentally disabled where Joseph Beaudoin was killed by his roommate on Feburary 21st, has again been cited for problems that pose serious danger to its residents’ safety. According to an article in today’s Enquirer, a resident, who was supposed to be watched, was found wandering on a road at 8.20am May 30th. A center employee driving into the campus found the man and took him inside. The employee assigned to watch him told state inspectors that she was unaware close supervision was required because she did not read the resident’s treatment plan. […]
Autism Vox » Let us not forget Joseph Beaudoin
Jul 13, 2006 at 8:00 am
[…] On February 21, Edward “Teddy” Shuman, 20, beat his roommate, 50-year-old Joseph Beaudoin, who was autistic, too death. Yesterday, a judge ruled that Shuman, who is mentally retarded and has been found imcompetent to stand trial in Beaudoin’s death, can remain at the Columbus Developmental Center, according to today’s Enquirer (Cincinnati). Shuman, who has a history of violent outbursts, had only recently been placed in the Fairfield Center and had shared a room with Beaudoin for six days. […]
Autism Vox » Joseph Beaudoin
Jul 14, 2006 at 9:47 pm
[…] Joseph Beaudoin was born on Christmas day, 1955 and died on February 21, 2006. Joseph was autistic. Joseph was beaten to death by his roommate, Edward “Teddy” Shuman, in the Fairfield Center in Ohio. Tina Beaudoin Borich, Joseph Beaudoin’s sister, provided this photo of her brother. […]
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