Unsafe: Abuse of Arizona's most vulnerable can happen anywhere
For Star subscribers: An investigation by KJZZ and the Arizona Daily Star found that physical and sexual abuse, as well as neglect, against people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can occur anywhere — and often, nothing is done about it.
(5) updates to this series since
Unsafe: Toddler born after rape of disabled mom now living with grandmaFor Star subscribers: No matter where they live, Arizonans with intellectual and developmental disabilities, are not safe – not according to reports collected by the state, which document everything from a scratch to a rape.
For Star subscribers: Analysis of more than 10,000 incident reports detail hundreds of abuse allegations and more than 4,000 claims of neglect.
For Star subscribers: Despite a nannycam video, a taped interview with the alleged victim and an admission to police by the suspected perpetrator, no charges were filed.
For Star subscribers: A half dozen Special Olympics athletes have gone through the course already. Program managers hope to launch a broader program soon.
For Star subscribers: Four years after a rape in an Arizona care facility, caregivers are still poorly trained. A public awareness campaign has not been launched. And families are begging for help.
For Star subscribers: Cheri Peterson worries her brother, Chad McKinley, has not been cared for properly by the systems meant to support those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
A judge has ruled that a state agency must hand over records regarding the abuse, neglect and exploitation of Arizonans with disabilities.
Amy Silverman is honored for her "fantastic work highlighting issues within the state for those with disabilities," which she reported for the Star and for the ProPublica Local Reporting Network.
Emory Webster cried tears of joy when her new communication device arrived from the state after 18 months of waiting. But six months later, she’s still waiting for parts she needs to use it.
Arizona’s Independent Oversight Committees helped it become one of the best places in the country for the care of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. But now members say the state hasn’t provided necessary resources.