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Agency Investigates Controversial Youth Center

Center Has Had 2 Deaths In 2 Years

POSTED: 5:26 pm CDT July 23, 2007
UPDATED: 2:30 pm CDT July 24, 2007

An oversight agency created by Congress is now investigating the Chad Youth Enhancement Center in Montgomery County over concerns about stories they have seen on Channel 4 and by eyewitnesses who told them what happened the day a teenager died.

Images: Disability Advocates Investigate Chad Youth Center

Omega Leach wanted to be a lawyer, but had some problems that led him to be sent to the Chad Center.

In June, less than a month after he arrived, he was dead after he was held down by two staff members until he was unconscious.

Now Chad is being investigated by the Disability Law and Advocacy Center in Nashville, a nonprofit group created by the federal government to protect the rights of the disabled.

"I have serious concerns about Chad based on the reports I've heard," said Michael Carter of DLAC.

DLAC is able to read reports that the public can't see and can take legal action if they think it's needed.

Its investigators have interviewed staff members who saw what happened when Leach died.

"One of the staff members involved in the restraint was very angry and should have withdrawn from the restraint. (He) was asked to do so by some of the other staff members," said Carter.

Leach was being held down by a 22-year-old staff member identified in a police report as Randall Dale Rae Jr. He has not been charged in the incident.

State officials have criticized Chad in the past for hiring "immature and poorly trained staff" and also "a lot of college students and military personnel" and constant turnover.

"This is not something you can just jump into," said Carter

The Disability Law and Advocacy Center has the authority not only to investigate Chad but to investigate the agencies that investigate Chad.

The Disability Law and Advocacy Center would like to hear from anyone who has been at Chad. Their information will be kept confidential.

Contact the advocacy center by visiting their Web site or call Channel 4 News reporter Nancy Amons at 353-2284.


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