INSPECTOR GENERAL INVESTIGATING DEATH AT BSSLC
Authorities are investigating the death early Tuesday evening of a client at the Brenham State Supported Living Center.
According to authorities, the woman—identified as Amy Parrish—was found unresponsive in the back of a vehicle at the facility, shortly after 6:30 p.m.
Officials with the state say Parrish had been unaccounted for several hours, before she was found in the back of a van.
Justice of the Peace Doug Zwiener pronounced Parrish, dead at a local hospital.
Officials with the state department of Health and Human Services, Parrish’s death may be heat-related.
Parrish’s body has been sent for autopsy to the Travis County Medical Examiner.
Brenham Police are not releasing any information.
The investigation has been turned over to the Office of the Inspector General.
In a statement released officials with the Center: "Our residents are like family to us, and this is incredibly upsetting to everyone. It appears this was a tragic accident, and our thoughts are with everyone who was close to her. Law enforcement and DFPS are investigating. Our focus right now is looking into how this could have happened and will make any necessary changes to be sure we are doing everything we can to protect our residents."
My last posting did not get approved but what I put here now should meet all the criteria. My condolences go out to Amy’s family. My brother died this past October after being struck by a golf cart driven by staff. He was a resident on the campus since 1974. He succumbed to his injuries within the week for the severe head trauma. Prior to the incident we led a fulfilling life there and all staff we encountered were great with him. I am seriously concerned the loss of the liives of my brother and Amy and the underlying causes of why these things are happening. I really do hope they are looking at the big picture. If they are understaffed….why? If they are have I got heavy turn over why? Have there been new policies and procedures that have disrupted the normal flow of events causing conflicts that are creating more possibilities for these types of things to happen. It just seems really odd that two long term residents who had thrived previously in this environment had the types of things happen to them now. The day my brother was hit by the golf cart he was doing his normal routine and just waiting to get taken to his work. The staff involved will more than likely be reprimanded but doing that and nothing else will not prevent these things from happening again.
The nature of the job doesn’t attract a lot of wholesome employees from professional staff on down. Also, professional staff apply unrealistic expectations on hourly employees which creates poor working environment. Though for this particular case, it was pure negligence by they whole facility. With the cameras and other technology being utilized, there is no reason for any individual to be lost for hours on campus
There is a lot of stuff that happens out there that the community isn’t aware of. The golfcart and the van incident wasn’t the only things that has happened. It will continue to happen until they get investigators out there that fire the people when there is an allegation. And I’m not talking about all staff or all homes. Charges should be pressed in the golfcart and van incident.
I’m not sure how some of these comments got approved to be posted. 5 out of 7 requirements to be approved were not met. Some of you are so fast to judge without having any facts except what is put out in the media. The article stated that the PD are not releasing any information and this case has been turned over to the Inspector General. The article does not explain how she came up missing or who actually was in charge of this particular person. Please wait for the facts before judging all. All of the facts may not be placed out to the public, just bits and pieces of it. All of the facts will come in a court of law, not in the media. Not all, but some of the media just report a short version of each story. They do not have the time to nor do they have the ability to wait for all the facts to be released. By the time they are, it is not newsworthy anymore. Please be wary of accusations without facts. It creates more turmoil that is not needed.
Lack of work ethic, attendance issues, lack of discipline. The investigation needs to be top to hottom. Such a tragedy.
Very Sad, prayers to the families and bsslc.
It’s sad that no one will listen until there is a death that is hard to cover up. Obviously someone didn’t do there job in protecting that client. Under paid or not, it’s there job to maintain eyes on all clients at all times. Most are there just to collect a pay check. Over turns are so bad because when reported neglect or abuse by someone they can them, they get rid of the ones that truly care about the clients. Praying that Amy gets justice.
well I know for certain that the people that work for bsslc aren’t over paid like geo ben says they all need raises then maybe people would stay there.bsslc has a large number of employee turn over every month we should be proud of the people that have been there for many years it takes a certain kind of a person to care for these people. yeh geo ben I bet you could get a job there go see what they start you out at.
My daddy always told me that if you get $ 1.00 a hour or a $100.00 a hour do your best so with that being said a raise is not gone make you do your job no better. Dedication is what gone get the job done. If you not in the field for money how come money keep coming up.
Exactly! What you get paid should have nothing to do with your quality of work . Someone left this poor woman to die in a hot car, unacceptable.
Not the only death out there. They sweep stuff under the rug. I hope the inspector general sees that. They need to do a clean sweep out there.
I am praying that there is investigations happening now for I have I have reasons to feel there are needs of investigating. I have a son there and I pray that the wrong doing will be.
If you have a son out there please check on him daily. Especially if he can’t talk
Sad praying for the family and bsslc
I just don’t understand, as someone whom works with those just like the individuals from BSSLC, how did you not see that one of your clients was not accounted for? BSSLC is always saying make sure you do head counts and make sure you know where your clients are at all times. Whether they are gone to a doctors appointment, working on or off campus, or even if they’re on an outing, you must know where they are!
Say that!
I am terribly sorry about Amy’s death. Prayers to the family. People at the BSSLC need to take responsibility for their actions. This is simply just one example of the neglect that occurs on a daily basis. Another example is when Amy lost her sight in one eye . God is vigilant and knows everything. So very, very, sad. I have known Amy since she was seven. She will greatly be missed. Hope this does not get swept under The table.
Me Too! These folks are supposed to be held to a higher standard….sorry, but I’m not surprised as we all know government employees seem to be the best compensated for doing the least amount of work they can. Prime example. The courts should show no mercy in prosecuting this magnitude of neglect
Geo Ben, I am not making any excuses re Amy’s death and I grieve for her death. But you are incorrect about living center employees being overpaid and underperforming. Direct Care is the most difficult job I ever had with the least amount of support received. I worked with people with this type of disability for many years and the vast majority of employees are hard working and trying to their best. It doesn’t make this anymore acceptable, but I don’t believe you are informed about this type of work.
Prayers to Amy’s family. She was such a joy. Its very sad that this was allowed to happen.