|
Boys Ranch's license extended
Final decision awaits inquiry results
By Dennis Wagner
Arizona Boys Ranch got a temporary extension Tuesday of its license to work with delinquent youths from state regulators who said they are not finished investigating the death of 16-year-old Nicholaus Contreraz at the Oracle campus. In a news release, the Department of Economic Security announced that a final determination on the Boys Ranch license will be made by Sept. 1. In the meantime, officials are reviewing not only the allegations of abuse involving Contreraz but also 25 other complaints of mistreatment received since the Sacramento boy died March 2. Witnesses said Contreraz endured weeks of sickness and punishment at the Oracle boot camp before he collapsed while being forced to exercise. A coroner's report said he had a severe infection in the lining of his lung, with evidence of pneumonia, bronchitis, strep and staff infections. He also had dozens of cuts and bruises on his body. Camp residents said staffers humiliated Contreraz and required him to do exercises. Staffers believed his chronic breathing difficulties, diarrhea and vomiting were a ruse to avoid labor, residents said. Among other things, he was forced to do push-ups with his face over a bucket containing clothing soiled with excrement. A criminal investigation remains open at the Pinal County Attorney's Office, where spokesman Charles Ratliff said prosecutors are going through scores of reports by sheriff's detectives to determine what charges, if any, should be filed. The California Department of Social Services, which conducted a parallel investigation, is expected to release its findings soon. Although the Boys Ranch license was scheduled to expire Tuesday, DES Director Linda Blessing said Child Protective Services workers need more time to complete a thorough and fair assessment. Bob Thomas, Boys Ranch president, said he cannot imagine why the state would strip the organization of its license. "This Contreraz situation was just an isolated incident," Thomas said. Thomas said it is typical for wayward boys to take advantage of a scandal by concocting abuse stories. He said he understands that investigators must check each claim, but he is confident they will not be substantiated. Boys Ranch has been a target of at least four major investigations by DES and other government agencies during the past two decades, each stemming from allegations of abuse. The organization was placed under probation several times after investigators substantiated some allegations. But Thomas always contended the complaints came from manipulative boys and were overblown by inept or biased government officials. The Contreraz case departed from that pattern. After Boys Ranch initially denied wrongdoing, Thomas fired several staffers, closed the Oracle campus, replaced the boot camp director and said the treatment of Contreraz had been "appalling and embarrassing." Thomas said he still is working on reforms promised two months ago, including the appointment of an ombudsman, the formation of a citizens' review board and the hiring of new medical staff. While the fate of Boys Ranch is in limbo, California and Arizona authorities have ceased placing juveniles with the facility, which has a main campus at Queen Creek and satellite operations statewide. Thomas said enrollment has decreased to 400 from about 540, due mostly to graduations and the lack of new placements. He said Boys Ranch has been forced to retrench financially, laying off some employees and closing the Oracle campus.
Dennis Wagner can be reached at 444-8874 or at [email protected] via e-mail.
Copyright 1998, The Arizona Republic
RadViews
� 1996-8 [email protected]
ICQ 1633847
|
