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"Mental Facility Investigated for Alleged Sexual Abuses"
Several Oklahoma state agencies have announced that they are investigating allegations ranging from assault to rape at the Hugo Health and Rehabilitation Center.
The latest alleged victim is Paul Morris, a man with the mental capacity of a seven year old. Last month a police report filed on his behalf listed a charge for first degree rape. His sister, Johnnie Logan, believes that Morris was raped by an employee at the nursing home.
"He didn''t have his glasses on," Logan said. "He was crying and crying and crying."
Logan''s attorney, Ben Barnes, claims that there is a ling history of violent sexual acts at the home, and that the problems are ongoing. "Following Mr. Morris'' there were two weeks in a row, two rapes two weeks in a row," he claimed.
According to Barnes, the violence dates at least to 1979 and a resident named Angie Goodman, who is now deceased. Goodman was reported to have the mind of a four year old, and Barnes claims that pictures of Goodman show that the nursing home allowed males inappropriate access to her. The photos show kissing and other activities.
"A nursing home document shows a doctor approved birth control pills for Goodman because some of the other fellows are rather active around here," Barnes said. "Throughout the record. she claims she was hurt by males."
A doctor''s letter states his opinion that Goodman was "repeatedly raped", and Barnes claims that even with evidence such as this the state health department is not providing sufficient protection to residents.
"The health department''s answer when you give them documents was, ''What do you want me to do with all this stuff?'' I said, ''Read it.''"
Morris has been removed from the Hugo facility, ending a police and state investigation, but the state health department says they are conducting an overall investigation of the home. They say they''ve followed up on at least two complaints, and will need more time to go back several years and to research why the home is still in operation.
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