In a recent government meeting, significant concerns were raised regarding the use of restraint and seclusion on children and youth in residential facilities. A committee report highlighted multiple instances of both chemical and physical restraints being employed, particularly affecting children with disabilities. Senator Stabenow referenced the tragic case of Cornelius Frederick, who died after being restrained in a prone position, underscoring the potential dangers of such practices.

The report indicated that a majority of children subjected to restraint and seclusion in educational settings have disabilities, raising alarms about the psychological and physical harm these methods can inflict. Experts noted that the use of restraint can be especially traumatizing for children with prior trauma histories, such as those who have experienced sexual assault. The physical act of restraint, often involving multiple staff members holding a child down, can exacerbate existing trauma and lead to long-term psychological effects.

Senator Hassan also shared a disturbing account from New Hampshire, where a child advocate uncovered severe abuse of two teenagers placed in a facility in Tennessee. The children returned home bearing the scars of their experiences, a reminder of the lasting impact of such institutional failures.

The meeting underscored the urgent need for reform in how vulnerable children are treated in residential settings, with calls for greater accountability and protective measures to prevent further abuse and trauma.