“Often in these cases, most typically there is one rogue employee and others who should have done a better job supervising. Most concerning here is that this is more widespread.”
--- Boston-based attorney Daniel Heffernan, representing six former students suing the former Eagleton School
Police describe widespread eye-poking, fingers twisted until breaking, lacerations from slamming heads and throwing, bone-breaking punches, pinching, cutting, and other injuries, much of it done while the victims were held in restraints. So far, 16 former Eagleton School employees face criminal charges.
The Eagleton School in Great Barrington was shut down after its licenses were revoked over what the state said was a systemic culture of staff abuse of students and subsequent cover-ups of that abuse.
The State found a systemic culture of staff abuse of the school’s disabled male students and subsequent cover-ups of that abuse. The school’s 40 acres of land and buildings on Route 23 near the Monterey border are for sale.
The “Order to Protect Children” that will revoke the private school’s residential group care licenses noted that since sanctions were imposed on the school on February 17, Early Education and Care (EEC) learned of numerous violations of the sanctions, including more abuse and neglect.
“Over the past three months, there appears to have been a conscious decision by Eagleton’s administration not to report the scope and extent of residents’ injuries to the EEC and other state agencies to avoid investigation.”
--- Department of Early Education and Care report on abuses of students at Eagleton School
“Fundamental and grave concerns about health and safety and regulatory compliance at Eagleton School compromise the program's ability to provide a safe, healthy, and appropriate educational environment.”
--- Assessment by the state Department of Early and Secondary Education
Eagleton “is really the last stop” for boys and young men who have been through a number of other settings that didn’t work.
-- Eric MacLeish, attorney for Eagleton School
“Our students have always been, and remain, our primary concern. We are doing everything possible to ensure the continuation of their quality education and care.”
-- Bruce Bona, Eagleton founder and executive director
“All across America, there is a hole in health care for these kids who have emotional and behavioral disabilities. This school is a model of how they can and should be cared for.”
-- Mufa, parent of student at the Eagleton School
