Mikes’ Saturday June 6^th Morning!

Mike developed what the LSS Psychiatrist ruled as “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder” (OCD), several years ago. The strange thing is that he ONLY obsessed about his clothes. Here is why; (I believe that ANYONE would have developed “OCD” given the same circumstances)

Mikes family bought many clothes for Mike, and the LSS staff did too, using Mikes SSI fund. Every time that we went to visit, he was wearing clothing that was very obviously NOT his, and when we asked to see his clothes HE HAD NONE.

In his bedroom he did have a “wardrobe” in which to store clothing, as all clients had. Other clients seemed to have clothing inside their wardrobe, but Mike never did.

We filed repeated complaints about this fact, and on three different occasions the LSS themselves purchased large quantities of clothing for him, (replacements for the clothes that HE had purchased with his own SSI fund).

On subsequent visits, Mikes’ wardrobe was STILL always empty!  In an apparent attempt to prevent the theft of the clothing, the LSS began LOCKING away his “NEW” clothes, in a “closet”, and he could not have them. Then, whenever he removed any set of worn/dirty clothing, it simply disappeared, SO he became “Obsessed” with wearing the ONLY clothing that he had. In fact the ONLY personal belongings that he ever was able to have!

State and Federal rights are SUPPOSED to guarantee that the mentally handicapped are allowed to keep, and have access to clothing, bedding, and personal items.

A plan was developed to deal with Mikes “OCD”. After having his leg, arm, and neck broken, he had a lot of hardware holding him together, and he was NEVER supposed to be restrained. So, a plan was developed to utilize screens, and/or robes when his clothing was being washed. He WAS allowed to remain in his bedroom, hallway & bathroom area, without clothing, if he refused to dress. (just as me, or you are) He just had to be dressed (or wearing a robe, or using screens) in order to go into the “Common” dayroom area of the dorm, or outside.

The following is based upon the witness statements included in the
Texas Department of Adult Protective Services investigation file

On the morning of Saturday June 6^th, 2009 Mike had a problem, his clothing was soiled and being washed, and he was refusing to wear a robe, BUT was staying (for the most part) in his bedroom. He COULD be very frustrating to deal with, THAT is WHY he was placed at the LSS.

Overall, Mike was NOT being aggressive, but was being contrary, he wanted only HIS one set of clothes, but he had been wearing OTHER sets of clothes. He had NO clothes available to him since they were all locked away in a “closet” elsewhere, and staff had to unlock that closet, and pick out his clothing FOR him.

Jessica Santos – Mikes assigned 1-on-1 staff. Jessica arrived at 6:00 AM, in a BAD mood, it seems that her “girlfriend” had broken up with her, a witness stated that her “girlfriend” through her keys at her, (I suppose in the LSS dorm area?) Being distraught she could not perform her duties, on the morning of Saturday June 6^th, she passed Mike off to several other staff members, because she was “tired of messing with him”. (Donnell Smith was NOT one of them)

Donnell Smith – Apparently a VERY large black man. He was assigned to another LSS client, and was NOT assigned to Mike, BUT… it seems that he had decided to take it upon himself to “discipline” Mike, and FORCE him to put on clothing. It seems at ANY price.

He repeatedly went out of his way to assault Mike in his own bedroom throughout the morning.  He “body slammed” him at one point, picking Mike up off of the floor from behind, and slamming him head-first onto his bed. He sat on him at one point, singing and mocked him, making fun of him. On at least four occasions he “Lay on top of” (assaulted) him, and at one time he “choked him out” using a towel around his neck “until he turned blue”, in that instance he didn’t stop until another employee told him to, because Mike was unconscious, and “turning blue”. He literally tore one shirt completely apart, and OFF of him, in an attempt to “Keep it on him”.

This was all seen by other staff members, including a supervisor (Ms Abrisha Harper) who did nothing, and in fact joked about it, saying “Boo Boo are you laying on him”, while Mr. Smiths reply was “I’m just laying here picking my nails”. Ms Harper said “IK, I’ll let you do what you do” and walked out.

At about 11:40 AM he was “laying on” (assaulting) Mike and he sent Jessica Santos out of the room, to get Mike some more clothing. After about 3-5 minutes when she returned, Ms Henderson was in the room with Donnell Smith, Mike was “asleep” on the floor and he “looked dead”.  Donnell Smith picked him up, and put him on his bed, but he never moved, and his feet were just dragging. Donnell then “laid” on him again, while Ms Henderson proceeded to finish dressing Mike, even though he “looked dead” and was not responding. When finished (after at least 3 minutes) Mr. Smith got up, and Mike never moved again.

Ms Henderson stated that Mike “looked like a dead fish”.

When asked several times, Donnell Smith “insisted” that Mike was OK, and that he heard breathing, and felt a pulse.

Finally Mr. Smith left to get an oxygen tank, BUT no one could assemble it, or use it. It was about 10 minutes before CPR was started, and a “medical emergency” was declared at 12:10 PM, and Mike was pronounced dead 2 minutes after the EMS arrived, at 12:20 PM.

Mike was completely dressed, when the coroner carried away his lifeless body.

Here is a list (from the LAJ article), of the 6 employees who were fired.

Donnell Smith, Jessica Santos, Abrisha Henderson, Amiya Harper, Craig Stevenson and Omar Jordan