Brutal beatings, abuse plague state-run mental health facility, investigation reveals

A months-long investigation by Capitol News Illinois, Lee Enterprises and ProPublica has found many instances of mistreatment at the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in southern Illinois. The facility is managed by the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Reporters reviewed thousands of pages of documents from IDHS and its inspector general; the Illinois State Police; officials in Union County, where the facility is located; and other entities. They also spoke with current and former employees and advocates and with residents and their guardians, revealing a systemic pattern of patient abuse, neglect, humiliation and exploitation.

Over a 10-year period through 2021, the state police opened at least 40 criminal investigations into alleged employee misconduct at Choate, more than at any of IDHS's other southern Illinois facilities.

Using court records and police case files, reporters found that at least 26 Choate employees were arrested on felony charges over roughly the same period, including those accused of whipping, choking, punching and raping residents.

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Brutal beatings, abuse plague state-run mental health facility, investigation reveals

Consequences are few as reports of heinous abuse continue at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center near Anna, Illinois.

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