![[SeMissourian.com]](http://www.marshallnews.com/images/nameplate.png)
RSS
Print
Email link
Respond to editor
Read comments (22)
Share link
del.icio.us
Digg
StumbleUpon
Technorati
Newsvine
Facebook
Furl
Reddit
Google
 A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper prepares a tracking dog to begin searching for a missing Marshall Habilitation Center resident shortly after 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31. Two men reported seeing the missing man near the bow hunting range at Indian Foothills Park about 6:30 p.m. The resident was later found and returned to MHC just before 8 p.m. (Eric Crump/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo] |
The man was reported missing to Marshall police at 9:55 a.m. Monday, said Officer Luis Perez.
With the assistance of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Saline County Sheriff's Department, Medical Reserve Corps and MHC staff, Marshall police searched for the man.
Initially, the search was concentrated in the area north of Eastwood Street and west of the railroad tracks that run under the Eastwood Street bridge, said Perez, but after about 4 p.m., searchers' attention was turned south of Eastwood Street.
"We grid-searched the entire area," said Marshall Chief of Police Mike Donnell. He added that "spotters" were stationed at roadways and on railroad tracks, in case the man crossed one of those boundaries.
In the early evening, a tracking dog was brought in from Lafayette County, but did not follow a scent into the woods, where the man was reportedly spotted about 6:30 p.m.
At about 7:45 p.m., Gene Neff, an active reserve deputy with Saline County Sheriff's Department saw the man walking on state Highway 240 and, knowing MHC had an individual missing, gave the man a ride back to MHC grounds, said Bax.
Bax added that there will be a "thorough review of the incident."
Contact Geoff Rands at marshallreporter@socket.net
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please ![[Order this photo]](http://marshallnews.mycapture.com/mycapture/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return%20to%20site&backurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marshallnews.com%2Fstory%2F1566682.html&thumbpath=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marshallnews.com%2Fphotos%2F12%2F64%2F82%2F1264822-S.jpg&previewpath=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marshallnews.com%2Fphotos%2F12%2F64%2F82%2F1264822-L.jpg&pricingsheetid=1511){kind=link}
Have any of you had a child get out of your eye site for even just a minute, imagine that only your child has the ability to run 3x as fast, it only takes a second and when you are taking care of 6-8 individuals it's easy for one to slip away, we are lucky we don't hear of escapes all the time, kudos to the staff at the Hab Center from keeping that from happening. As for those of you who seem to think of the consumers as something that should be disposed of, think of that when you have a loved one who was in a car or bike accident and has brain damage, and they then need special 24/7 care that you can not provide them with unless it is at a facility that is set up for that like the Hab Center, think of disposing them.
There are many insensitive and ignorant comments in some of these posts. But, it also does my heart good to see the multitude of people coming to the defense of both CONSUMERS and STAFF at MHC. Many, many local people spend their whole working lives caring for or providing service to DMH consumers, Hab Center or private homes. It can be stressful and also rewarding.
Not every forensics consumer is there for dangerous crimes. They are found not guilty by reason of mental defect for a variety of criminal offenses, many not a "crime against persons". They are living in a secured housing area but are also encouraged to work and be productive. These tasks have them in transit to and from work areas. It only takes a split second and often there is no warning when someone makes the choice to bolt and run. Staff are right on their heels and more staff respond quickly. Most of the time, the whole incident is a matter of 5-10 minutes start to finish. This was the EXCEPTION, not the rule.
Remember we are all one extra chromosome, one early brain injury, etc. from being in the same circustances as the consumers. If we and our families have escaped without having a family member needing these services, we are fortunate. As a society and human beings, we are obligated to care for these very special people in a loving and humane manner. The majority of families are so grateful that there is a place for their loved one like MHC. No system is perfect but we have to do the best we can with what we have.
Darn, now what will I do with the cookies I bought for him? I better eat them.
It appears that there are a lot of opinions on here that seem to be under educated and extremely out of line. Any and all of you are welcome to visit the Missouri Department of Developmental Disablities website at www.dmh.mo.gov to better educate yourself before you go and judge anyone who has devoted their entire lives to serving people with special needs. Furthermore, to those of you who work with this population are standing on a rewarding yet very challenging situation that anyone without prior first hand experience would not understand.
I think it is fair to say that we must be reminded that those that are at MHC are there of course for a diagnosis that they could not control. Many of them have been there for the majority of their lives without anyone ever giving them a chance to live freely like you and I. Many of you on here are a disgrace in my opinion to society. Much more a disgrace than those who without any control have been institutionalized without any say so or option in the matter. Many of which, could and eventually will live out in our communities and thrive.
I appreciate all of the hard work and many hours that any staff member puts in. I as a part of a private agency look forward to working with consumers (laugh all you want... that term is much better than client) and those involved whether it be a staff or family member.
Be careful what you wish for. You may be blessed with a person with special needs. And because of your own ignorance may be calling asking for help with your consumer....
Until we meet again.
Okay, enough bashing people. I worked for over 10 years at MHC, and these people are there for a reason, which means they can not for one reason or another not take care of themselves and need the help of others. Forensics or not, they are supervised the best they can be with the shortage of help that is there now. Alot of the homes are worked with only one or two people in them, and you cannot leave the other ones unsupervised in order to get the one who may have gotten away, and so you are trained to do what is necessary and call for help to control the situation for all involved as fast as you can. And as a note to whom ever you are that is releasing information to the public about the belongings and such of the consumers...back in the day you could get fired for that. That is a privacy issue that they take very seriously out there. Be careful what you repeat.
marshall0307...Your last posting says "...there is not a need for all the negative posting here...", but you were the very first one to negatively comment on the incident. Your ignorance in relation to the services provided to the individuals at MHC is evident by your comments. Although you may have worked for the state for 5 years, it is clear that you were unsuccessful in your employment, or you would still be employed by the state. In my opinion it is freightening to think that you are providing services to individuals with disabilities within our community at the present time. Even with your LIMITED years of knowledge regarding this specific population, you should still be aware of the fact that the majority of the individuals that live at MHC (as well as those within the community) function on the same level as a young child. And in many cases, this includes those few forensic consumers. With that being said, if your child left home and you were unable to locate them for an extended period of time, would you not contact law enforcement for assistance? It is clearly evident that the staff at MHC realized early that they were going to need assistance in locating this individual. Their willingness to acknowledge that need contributed to his safe return. That alone shows that the staff at MHC are providing exceptional care to those who live at MHC. So Before you start questioning "what exactly is going on out there at the Hab Center these days", maybe you should reevaluate why you are no longer employed by the state and be thankful that there are competent people within our community willing to accept such a huge responsibility. It may be safe to say that your employer within the private sector questions if you are capable of accepting such a responsiblity. Keep in mind your present and former co-workers when you decide to question other's actions in the future!
George Orwell made the point that government can use language choices to manipulate opinion. He illustrated the use of politically correct terminology in novels.
furthermore speak with any MHC EMPLOYEE and ask them what the proper term is that the people are called im not saying its right or wrong I haven't made any negative statements about the staff because up until the last year or so I was one of those staff that works their @$$ off to make sure these people get taken care of. As a matter of fact I still work with mentally handicapped folks on a daily basis and I know what its like. As im sure most folks in this town do that have worked there there is not a need for all the negative posting here. I was simply stating that in any case like this I was involved in the person was found in like an hour and typically some one was right behind them. However with the woods and everything its hard to find persons that aren't wanting to be found. My point is that it is crazy that something that happens maybe once a year actually was in the newspaper. You just don't hear of this happening because of the fact the staff knows what they are doing and quite enjoy what they do.
We are all consumers, we all were gifts from God given to our parents at the time of our birth. We all are human but no 2 of us are alike. Some of us live in homes with our family, some of us are dependant on others to provide us care, be careful how you judge we are all children of God.
Excuse me but I worked many hours there my self 16 hour shifts nearly every day. I didn't say any thing bad about the staff to begin with. I still have lots of ties to staff that work there so maybe you people shouldn't jump to conclusions so fast!
buttercupp there was only one negative post before your posting stating "you people don't have a clue" well yes as a matter of fact I do as I stated I worked there for over 15 years and yes I know that things change over the years but some remain the same. I still talk to alot of my friends who are still employed there and the same things happen now as they did before. I also had a very good working relationship with most of the consumers I worked with also. I respect the individuals that work in that environment with the long hours and sometimes hazardous duties (I know that I had numerous injuries over the years) with no understanding from people who do not live it everyday..at the same time you should have some understanding and patience with those who do not know and don't lump us all together.
I don't find anything funny about the CONSUMER term, you people who are basically sitting around making fun and laughing at the CONSUMERS, should be ashamed of yourselves. Have you ever had anyone in your family that has had a mental illness or MR (or any other problems) or do you even know what MR is? This facility supplies a lot of people with jobs here in this community, and it takes a special person to work there, (and the people who live there get very good care,) unlike you people sitting around (probably doing nothing) laughing and making fun of these people. Shame on you!!
And as far as what he returned to the facility with, how do you know what he came back with?? So you think you know so much where is the proof of what he returned with, well guess what, that info inst going to be released, and if an employee from there is telling that info they could be in big trouble.. Have you ever heard of HIPPA?? So keep the stupid gossip going if you think you know so much!!!
If you don't work out there and don't know the facts don't be making fun and spreading stupid gossip, the people who live there are human also. So some of them have been court ordered to be there, and then again there is a reason for that, at least they aren't walking the streets looking to get into anything again (more an likely he was just upset about something).. And that is one of the reasons law enforcement was brought in to this, to help take him back to where he lives.
So you enjoy making fun of the people who live there, but I bet if you decide to go fishing and don't want to go far you go right out there and use the lake. Just goes to show how rude and inconsiderate some people are. And this is something to think about, YOU JUST NEVER KNOW IF YOU MIGHT END UP WITH SOMEONE LIKE ONE OF THESE CONSUMERS IN YOUR FAMILY, OR YOURSELF COULD END UP LIKE ONE OF THEM. THEY DIDN'T ASK TO BE THIS WAY.. Please stop and think before you put your foot in your mouth...
marshall0307- Who are you to judge mhc staff? I urge you to spend a week out there, dealing with the things and the long hours that the staff deal with everyday! I have worked there almost 10 yrs, and some days it is no cake walk! You should appreciate the fact that law enforcement was brought into this, for everyones safety! Every consumer is there for a reason, and some of them can be very dangerous! Sometimes things like this happen, to no fault of the staff...and all we can do is appreciate the fact that they were found, and returned without anyone being hurt in the process!
Can't put the blame on the staff out here. They are understaffed, overworked, and deal with a great deal of stress. A criminal person in this hab center should be in fenced in areas of the compound where they cant escape. It's a good thing the police found this man so fast.
I would like to know who came up with the word consumers to describe these people lol. It makes them sound like thay eat people. What the heck kind of term is this to describe a person like that. Its weird. Makes no sence whatsoever. kinda funny too lol.
The term consumers came into use a few years ago, about the same time the normalization term was started. Consumers was explained to me as being used because they are "consuming" or "using" our services....
I agree that the staff that work at MHC are very good at what they do for the most part and the circumstances they have to deal with. No one has bothered to tell the public that the consumer that escaped is a forensic consumer, meaning he is there under court committment for a crime. The police have to be notified immediatley if a forensic consumer leaves grounds. I for one think this a pretty scarey event that needs to be taken seriously. Thank God no one was injured during this fiasco and that he was found. There are other details that need to be looked at. When he returned he had some things in his possesion that he would have had to have gotten from somewhere. Possibilty that he entered someones home without their knowledge. Maybe would should stop pointing fingers at the staff of MHC and the police. The state and administration are the ones who need to come up with some answers.
TC - As objectionable as "consumers" may be to some, it's a far less objectionable term that those regularly used in the past, not just by people on the street, but in newspapers, too. Orwell is still best read as fiction.
Whose bright idea was it to start calling them consumers? George Orwell?
You people dont even have a clue. Come on out there and work and day or two and just see what its all about!!! For one the staffing is extremely low, so i feel WE the employees at the hab center do a damn good job of what we have to go through!! Yes he did run off, but i guantee you ALL that the Hab Center did the best that they could, and yes the law enforcement was called in, That is a state policy that the law is called when one does leave. another thing he is there for a reason, but i would almost bet he was jsut a scared, you people who dont work out there dont know what caused all of this.
It's been almost 10 years since I worked at MHC...(I think most people from Marshall have worked there at some point in their lives :) )...I worked there for over 15 years and things like this happened once in awhile. As well trained, prepared and vigalant as staff can be things happen. The good news is that steps where taken to get the situation taken care of, nothing was hidden from the public or swept under the carpet so to speak and it had a good outcome. Agency's came together nicely and did their best to protect both the community and the consumer in question which is the way it should be.
marshall0307 how long has it been since you worked for the state?
Was it here at MHC?
Did you ever give any thought that just maybe the people at the paper do a better job of finding out things going on in Marshall now?
My better half works at MHC and has for almost 20 years this does not happen very often and when it does in most cases the person that escapes is followed off the property and brought right back but there are cases that one of the clients is able to sneek off unnoticed.
This is incredible that this search really came to this. Most of these types of things I was involved in during my 5 years of employment with the state never made the newspaper. So with that being said it makes me kinda wonder why it took getting the highway patrol as well as the sheriffs department involved before the consumer was found. That is flat pathetic. Makes me wonder what exactly is going on out there at the Hab Center these days.