Great Circle, the embattled Missouri behavioral health services provider, is again in the news. It is reported that Great Circle employees have been caught hitting, striking, slapping, punching and throwing patients, sexually and verbally abusing patients, and even receiving child pornography. Federal and state prosecutors are reviewing some of the allegations, felony charges have been brought, and recently Great Circle closed one of its 13 Missouri residential facilities. This all comes nearly two years after Great Circle’s former CEO was arrested and charged with multiple counts of endangering a child.
Former Great Circle employees have spoken out about the state-licensed organization’s toxic work environment that is allegedly unsafe for kids. Even after multiple police raids of their facilities, and public outcry, Great Circle continues to be the largest provider of residential treatment for children in Missouri, mainly for children in foster care. Their patients are some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children in Missouri.
Residential facilities or group homes, house children for different reasons. Some children are treated for behavioral or mental health treatment, while others reside when they lack other caregivers. Regardless of their circumstances, children should be safe in these facilities, especially from the very employees responsible for their treatment. Unfortunately, when given an opportunity, predators prey on vulnerable children in residential facilities. These predators, and the organizations that employ them, may be liable for the damages they cause.
If you or your child has been injured or preyed upon by a staff member of a residential facility, such as Great Circle, you may be entitled to compensation. Call or contact the experienced Missouri trial lawyers at The Simon Law Firm, P.C., to speak with an attorney about your potential case.
