The Arizona Daily Star
July 24, 1998
State slow to act
State slow to act
California has managed to conduct extensive investigations into the death of a California youth at Arizona Boys Ranch. But Arizona has yet to issue a full report on this troubling death at an institution that still has hundreds of state wards.
The California Department of Social Services took the lead in answering questions about Nicholaus Contreraz' death March 2 of complications from an undetected lung infection. The 16-year-old Sacramento youth died as a result of medical neglect and abusive treatment at the Oracle rehabilitation center, said the department's report. The report said his condition could have been trreated if recognized early.
The alleged medical neglect is a serious charge that both the doctor and the nurse who examined him should be made to answer. The nurse repeatedly cleared the boy for exercise, including just hours before he died, because she thought he was hyperventilating. She did not, apparently, examine his breathing, and he died with 2 1/2 quarts of pus in his lungs following abusive exercise.
The doctor involved, an osteopath licensed in Arizona only since March 1996, has been in trouble with the Osteopathic Board of Medical Examiners. She was disciplined over a complaint that she self-prescribed medication and prescribed medication to a doctor she suspected was an addict. Her license was temporarily suspended and then in December 1997, she was placed on probation for five years.
After seeing newspaper accounts of Contreraz' death, the Osteopathic Board decided to investigate.
Arizona's Child Protective Services is still conducting an investigation into the incident with a report promised by Sept. 1. The investigation has been delayed, in part, by Boys Ranch's refusal to grant access to personnel records and because Oracle campus employees dispersed after closure.
California has moved to protect its wards at Boys Ranch both with a timely investigation and a decision to cut off funding for its estimated 220 delinquent boys here. That will give California counties an incentive to make other arrangements. Otherwise, beginning Aug. 1 they will have to pay the full cost - $3,600 a month per boy - without the 20 percent to 40 percent subsidy the state has been paying.
Meanwhile, Boys Ranch will keep its Arizona license during the state's review, even though it was due to expire June 30. CPS is also examining more than 20 other allegations of abuse that have surfaced since the March death.
California has been responsive and alert to charges of abuse. Now Arizona and its respective medical boards must give every attention to the treatment of Contreraz and other wards. This was an ugly blot on the reputation of the state and its institutions, and youths must be protected.
Copyright 1998
The Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona
The Arizona Department of Economic Security says that the agency's investigation into the death of Nicholaus Contreraz will be completed and a report issued by September 1st, a full six months after his death.
The Pinal County Attorney's Office admits that their investigation hasn't gone anywhere in the five months following the murder of Contreraz by his caregivers. The excuse given is that additional allegations of abuse that have been filed since March 2 have significantly impacted the review of this case, yet there are no investigators assigned to the case; only one attorney reviewing evidence in a catch is as catch can manner.
The office of the Arizona Attorney General is compromised to the extent that it cannot take the lead in bringing to the bar of justice those responsible for Nicky's death.
The cozy arrangement that allows the Ranch 48 hours advance notice of any inspection by state regulators or CPS workers suggests that the Ranch can operate without fear of being sanctioned for abusing wards placed in its care. After all, with a two-day warning, any kid roughed up by a staff member during an 'isolated incident' can be sent out on a work crew during the day of the inspection.
And perhaps other questions can be answered: What in hell is an organization claiming to be a role model for troubled youth doing hiring a drugged out physician? And why did the Ranch and DES not immediately report the failings of Ranch medical staff to the appropriate state licensing boards?
It's time for Governor Hull to do the honorable thing and request that the US Department of Justice do what the foregoing have failed: To seek justice for Nicholaus, including a thorough review of any relationship between Arizona Boys Ranch and current or past public officials, regardless of any political embarasssment or public humiliation that may result.
To not do so would lend credence to what many people are beginning to suspect -- .
July 25, 1998
Arizona Daily Star editorialJuly 24, 1998
Members of Congress request investigation by GAO
US Deparment of Justice opens probe
DES interoffice memo
State knew of abusive treatment years ago
It's time to bring in the Feds
California cuts funding to Arizona Boys Ranch
California investigation rips Arizona child protection agency
Report excerptsCalifornia blasts Arizona agency
California report summary
California Department of Social Services news release
July 7, 1998
Directive to all California county probation officers and social service departmentsJuly 7, 1998
Letter to Arizona regulatorsJune 19, 1998
Who's guarding the kids from the guards?
One hundred twenty days
Arizona Boys Ranch Operating Permit extended
Sheriff's initial incident report
Prosecutor's reviewing evidence
Case may be too big for Pinal County prosecutors
Time to keep the kids in California
Nurse wants her name cleared in death of NicholausOne dead kid isn't enough???
The death of Aaron Bacon: Another boot camp murder
Justice for Nicholaus
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