LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Michael Webber will host a listening session on July 14 to allow legislators an opportunity to hear testimony from families whose loved ones have suffered in the care of the state’s Hawthorn Center and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ Child Protective Services.
“You don’t have to dig very deep to see there are many serious concerns with these state agencies,” said Webber, R-Rochester Hills. “We must do all we can to ensure state officials are held accountable and restore confidence for our residents.”
Who:
Sen. Michael Webber, R-Rochester Hills.
Sen. Jim Runestad, R-White Lake.
Rep. Jamie Thompson, R-Brownstown.
Rep. Mark Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills.
Rep. Tom Kuhn, R-Troy.
Family members of patients and victims in the care and protection of the state at the Hawthorn Center or through Child Protective Services.
MDHHS and Hawthorn officials have been invited to participate.
When: 10 a.m. on Friday, July 14.
Where: Rochester Hills City Hall, 1000 Rochester Hills Drive in Rochester Hills.
Brief: On June 14, Senate Health Policy Minority Vice Chair Michael Webber sent letters requesting his committee’s chair and other leading Senate Democrats open a hearing to investigate ongoing problems at Michigan’s only state-run psychiatric hospital for minors — the Hawthorn Center in Northville Township.
At least 17 young patients have escaped from the center under the supervision of Hawthorn personnel and the facility is the subject of a lawsuit pending from an active shooter drill that took place there in December 2022. Officials also have plans to temporarily house patients at Reuther Hospital, where adults are currently being treated, while the aged facility is demolished and reconstructed.
Earlier this year, Sen. Jim Runestad held a press conference highlighting concerns with CPS following the tragic death of a 5-year-old Detroit boy. Recent media reports have also brought issues to light concerning the agency, including a recent in-depth investigative report by The Detroit News.
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