Story Archive

Sam and Dean Won’t Send their Kids Here

The Pueblo Regional Center of the Colorado Department of Human Services houses people with severe intellectual disabilities. According to a federal investigation report, several residents had words like “die” and “kill” scratched into their skin, and another patient was burned with a hair dryer. “It was just unbelievable that in this day and age people would treat other human beings in this way,” said Stephanie Garcia, Executive Director of Arc of Pueblo, which serves as legal guardian for nine of the center’s residents. According to the report, center staff had an explanation for the incidents: it wasn’t abuse, it was “paranormal activity.” At least eight people have been fired because of the abuse, and the Department of Human Services released a statement saying it will “continue to improve staff training in a number of areas.” (MS/KCNC Denver) ...Lesson one: the difference between “paranormal activity” and “inhuman behavior.”