Bridges Treatment Center VA
Entity #2 informed Human Rights Advocate via letter dated October 31, 2024, that it was determined the disposition was Founded, Level One, for Sexual Abuse. Entity #2 reported to Human Rights Advocate that Employee #1 was charged with 7 felony counts of VA Code 18.2-370.1, Taking Indecent Liberties with Child by Person in Custodial or Supervisory Relationships.
From the state's report. Non-compliance, DBHDS investigation. Cited: 12VAC35-115-50. B. (2) In receiving all services, each individual has the right to: 2. Be protected from harm including abuse, neglect, and exploitation..
In plain words: A staff member sexually abused a child in the program, sending graphic TikTok messages and arranging meetings in the group home bathroom, and also left other children unattended during the abuse, sometimes in the same bedroom while they slept. The state determined the abuse was substantiated. Our summary of the state's report. The state's own wording follows.
Provider substantiated for sexual abuse and psychological abuse based on the following: Provider found inappropriate TikTok messages between Employee #1 and Individual #1 on Individual #1's phone that were sexually graphic in nature and which discussed meeting up in the group home bathroom on more than one occasion, along with references to sexual interactions which included oral sex and sexual intercourse. [...] While Employee #1 engaged in sexually abusing Individual #1, Employee #1 failed to provide services necessary to the health, safety, and welfare of other minor individuals residing in the group home, leaving those individuals unattended during the sexual encounters with Individual #1, and, at times, engaging in the abuse in the same bedroom with other individuals while they were sleeping. ?
From the state's report. Non-compliance, DBHDS human rights inspection. Cited: 12VAC35-115-50. B. (2) In receiving all services, each individual has the right to: 2. Be protected from harm including abuse, neglect, and exploitation.. "[...]" marks text left out between sentences.
The letter from DSS notes a Level 1 finding for the allegation of sexual abuse due to the following: Individual 1 remained fairly consistent with the disclosure made to Employee 3 and the Albemarle County Police Department detective regarding the sexual activity between Individual 1 and Employee 1. [...] Employee 4 reported rumors regarding Employee 1's sexual relationship with people at STARS previous to Individual 1's disclosure. [...] There is a preponderance of evidence to show Employee 1 sexually abused Individual 1. [...] Individual 1 had previously told Employee 2 about Individual 1's sexual relationship with Employee 1. [...] Employee 3 reported Individual 1 had told Employee 3 that Individual 1 had previously told Employee 2 about the sexual relationship with Employee 1.
From the state's report. Non-compliance, DBHDS human rights inspection. Cited: 12VAC35-115-50. B. (2) In receiving all services, each individual has the right to: 2. Be protected from harm including abuse, neglect, and exploitation.. "[...]" marks text left out between sentences.
