Lawmakers are advocating for families to be allowed to install cameras to prevent abuse and neglect after a 36-year-old woman with developmental challenges was found dead in her room.
Ohio is considering a proposal that would allow individuals who reside in care facilities or are responsible for the care of someone living in such a facility to install cameras in their rooms.
Representative Sara Carruthers, a Republican from Hamilton, is supporting a bill that would allow the use of cameras in facilities where individuals with developmental disabilities reside. The aim is to prevent cases of abuse and neglect similar to the incident that occurred in a Fairfield facility where a 36-year-old woman named Lauren Carter, who had developmental problems, was attacked and injured. The proposed legislation is set to be named after Lauren Carter.
During the month of April, Greg Carter, the father of Lauren, expressed his support for the bill and shared thirteen peculiar incidents that his daughter had experienced under the county boards of developmental disabilities. Among the mishaps, Carter disclosed that his daughter was left twice on a hot bus, and he himself had broken his collarbone due to the negligence of the authorities.
As he recounted the incident, Carter’s voice trembled with emotion as he described his daughter’s four-inch laceration to her throat.
During the bill meeting, he expressed, “Accidents may occur, but Lauren’s life has not been marked by mere accidents. Lauren’s life has been plagued by a series of atrocities.”
In Hamilton County, Carter has filed a lawsuit against Takoda Trails on the grounds of committing certain crimes. The trial, which will be held in July 2025, will include a jury.
During the court proceedings, Carter asserted that the police probe regarding the cut didn’t reveal any external source. Additionally, the sole employee present during the incident was terminated as they failed to assist with the investigation.
Takoda Trails refuted the specific allegations in court documents.
According to Carter, Lauren was expelled from the premises due to his act of installing a camera in her room and sharing the footage with a news station in Cincinnati. This resulted in his guardianship being questioned by a guardian ad litem, who suggested alternative care options for Lauren in Toledo and Cleveland. It’s worth noting that Carter doesn’t reside in Cincinnati.
Carter wanted to ensure that Lauren was alright, but unfortunately, he couldn’t keep an eye on her from a distance as cameras were not permitted in her room at the facility.
“I was informed by these care facilities that I couldn’t install a camera in my loved one’s room. They threatened to deny her admission if I went ahead with it. I tried to reason with the Butler County officials by asking them to reconsider their stance on the matter. They responded by questioning my understanding of her medical history.”
In 2022, Esther’s Law was passed, allowing for the installation of cameras in nursing homes. The current bill employs similar language to this law.
Similar to Esther’s Law, anyone living with a resident must give their consent to having a camera installed in their room.
According to the bill, the Department of Medicaid is required to issue a permit for services that assist individuals with developmental disabilities in living independently in their own homes or in the community. Under the waiver, the individuals’ guardians would receive monthly payments to cover the cost of their services.
Carter expressed his preference for taking care of his daughter at home. However, he could do so only if there were adequate resources and support available for families in similar situations.
According to him, they decided to bring her home for a short period of time, but their financial situation soon became dire. He explained that it was difficult to provide for her because there were limited resources available, and it was impossible to work while taking care of her.
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