LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A former worker of a enterprise which runs group properties for teenagers in Las Vegas mentioned she was fired after she repeatedly raised security considerations.
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Pamela Gomez, a licensed marriage and household therapist, advised the 8 Information Now Investigators she was employed in October 2023 and fired in January 2024.
“I was really blindsided when I was suddenly terminated for what I believe was for raising these alarms,” Gomez mentioned.
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Her former employer, Moriah Behavioral Well being, often known as Ignite Teen and Eden Therapy, seems to have 4 licensed psychiatric residential therapy services in Las Vegas.
Gomez mentioned she believed she was introduced in as program director to assist make enhancements after state sanctions. She recalled instant pink flags.
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Pamela Gomez, a licensed marriage and household therapist, advised the 8 Information Now Investigators she was employed in October 2023 and fired in January 2024. (KLAS)
“There was a habit custom in these homes to have the lights off all day long,” she mentioned. “It was shocking to me.”
Gomez additionally pointed to a scarcity of companies.
“The services that are supposed to be rendered on a daily basis, they aren’t,” she mentioned.
Some workers didn’t have correct credentials to work with teenagers who wanted such a excessive degree of care, in line with Gomez.
“This was my problem,” Gomez advised the 8 Information Now Investigators. “When I find out that somebody is coming, you know, their experience is the fast-food industry, you know, that’s concerning.”
Las Vegas Metro police information present quite a few requires service.
Some workers didn’t have correct credentials to work with teenagers who wanted such a excessive degree of care, in line with former worker Pamela Gomez. (KLAS)
“I can say at least weekly, we had police 911 calls,” Gomez mentioned. “We had, you know, either flight risk or violence or, something that we needed help with because we do not have properly trained staff.”
Gomez recalled strain to fill beds, a scarcity of workers and coaching, and her resistance to bringing in additional teenagers. That is when, she claimed, she was fired.
“When I asked for a freeze on admissions to the residential treatment facility that I was overseeing, and that’s what upset the CEO,” Gomez mentioned.
She claimed she was threatened professionally. She pointed to worry she and others had in talking publicly concerning the enterprise.
“It sent a chill down my spine. It shut me up,” she advised the 8 Information Now Investigators. “It made me not want to talk about it.”
The Division of Public and Behavioral Well being despatched the enterprise a discover of suspension for one location, and a discover of revocation for the opposite location beneath Ignite Teen, in line with state information.
The division famous a failure to conform for one location and questions of safety on the different beneath Eden Therapy, state information present. The enterprise famous it would work to make enhancements.
The Division of Public and Behavioral Well being despatched the enterprise a discover of suspension for one location, and a discover of revocation for the opposite location beneath Ignite Teen, in line with state information. (KLAS)
Gomez despatched a letter to Nevada Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-NV) asking her to take motion. When the 8 Information Now Investigators reached out, a spokesperson despatched the next assertion:
“The Office of Congresswoman Susie Lee has heard the concerns from constituents about group homes located in their neighborhoods. We provided guidance and direction to the constituents who reached out to contact their county and state elected officials who are responsible for the licensing and oversight of group homes. While this is an issue being handled by the appropriate local and state authorities, we remain committed to ensuring that children, especially those under the care of others, live in a safe environment. Congresswoman Lee’s office is always ready to assist residents of our district who need help with federal agencies.”
The 8 Information Now Investigators additionally reached out to Moriah Conduct Well being CEO Mendi Baron and his lawyer, Mark Hutchings. Hutchings replied in an e-mail which reads partially, “You should stop carrying water for the autocrats at DHHS and DPBH and try some real journalism for a change.”
To succeed in investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, e-mail [email protected].
