State Rep. Jamie Thompson, of Brownstown, today called on the Michigan House to hold hearings on several alleged instances of mistreatment and neglect at state-run youth psychiatric care and juvenile detention facilities to deliver needed accountability for families.

Thompson and other legislators were joined for a press conference by Jami Vaughn, whose 10-year-old son was captured being assaulted on surveillance video at the state-run Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital in Westland, as well as her attorney Arnold Reed.

“No child should ever have to endure what my son did, and no parent should either,” said Vaughn. “He asked me how did this happen, and I can’t give him an answer. The people responsible need to be held accountable.”

“I have listened to Jami’s story and commend her for her courage to share it. I have listened to stories from impacted individuals and families who have loved ones housed at Hawthorn Center in Northville. There is a clear trend of unethical and unacceptable conduct within what are supposed to be care facilities,” said Thompson, who serves on the House Families, Children, and Seniors Committee, the House Health Policy Committee, and the House Health Policy Subcommittee on Behavioral Health. “I simply do not understand why these cries for help and calls for change continue to be ignored in Lansing when state government and departments administer these facilities. How many more children must suffer and have their well-being jeopardized before elected officials look into this? That’s a question I have been openly asking for months.”

Reed said it was important that elected leaders to work in the best interest of the needs of Michigan’s children as they are housed in these facilities.

“We’re here because we’re asking our leaders for change,” Reed said. “Can the men and women (in the Legislature) join with Rep. Thompson and put politics aside? Can we come together for the sake of our children and our mothers?

“Is this going to serve as a clarion call to investigate thoroughly and put an end to this abuse that has been going on for far too long, or are we going to turn a deaf ear like we have been for so many months and hours and days and minutes? We need to stop the abuse and neglect and hold people accountable.”

Thompson has been a consistent advocate for children and families during the 2023-24 legislative term. In October, she sent a letter to House Health Policy Behavioral Health Subcommittee Chair Felicia Brabec urging a formal hearing to address concerns of abuse and mismanagement at Walter Reuther and Hawthorn. But that panel and others did not prioritize the issue – even as more damning reports regarding safety and security at multiple facilities throughout southeastern Michigan continued to emerge.

“For almost a year I have urged multiple departments and committees in the House to look into these concerns, complaints and allegations. It’s a problem that isn’t just going away,” Thompson said. “I am a mother. Many elected officials in the Legislature are as well. I cannot imagine the frustration and anger I would hold if what has happened to children at these facilities happened to my child. I ask anyone to imagine how they would feel if they saw their child getting their head stomped on in a facility that was supposed to be looking after their well-being. The video of what happened at Walter Reuther is shocking and sickening. These families deserve answers, accountability and solutions.”

The non-partisan state Office of the Auditor General recently announced it will look into allegations and procedures at state-run psychiatric hospitals as part of its 2024 audit cycle, following a letter from Thompson and other legislators in July of last year asking for a review. In addition to the audit, Thompson is pushing for a parallel track in the House – with hearings that will provide a platform for families while bringing increased awareness and urgency.

“This is not about partisan politics. This is about protecting our children and doing everything we can for families we all represent,” Thompson said. “That should be a bipartisan priority.”

PHOTO INFORMATION: State Rep. Jamie Thompson speaks during a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 29 in Lansing. Thompson called on the Michigan House to hold hearings on several alleged instances of mistreatment and neglect at state-run youth psychiatric care and juvenile detention facilities. Thompson was joined by Jami Vaughn (second from right), whose 10-year-old son was captured being assaulted on surveillance video at the state-run Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital in Westland, her attorney Arnold Reed, and members of the House Republican Women’s Caucus.