A shelter for migrant children in New York is facing allegations of abuse including placing children in restraints and isolating some kids in a so-called “red room,” according to a report.
The alleged abuse occurred at Children’s Village, a shelter in Dobbs Ferry, 25 miles north of Manhattan, which has served unaccompanied migrant children since 2004, CNN reported.
The children were allegedly beaten by a “special unit” team, with abuse taking place out of the view of security cameras. Some were punished with restraints or isolated in a so-called “red room,” for extended periods of time, sources told CNN.
The shelter stopped housing children in January and kids were moved elsewhere due to “significant child welfare concerns,” according to documents viewed by the publication.
Unaccompanied migrant children are the responsibility of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which falls under the Health and Human Services Department. HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon told CNN the agency “takes all allegations of misconduct involving children in its care extremely seriously.”
“Upon receiving an allegation related to this facility, ORR acted immediately to transfer all unaccompanied children to other locations and referred the matter to the appropriate federal investigative authorities. The safety and well-being of children in ORR care is a top priority, and any credible concerns are addressed swiftly and thoroughly,” Nixon said.
One teen at the shelter said he spent four days alone in a “red room,” which had a red light and no door. While isolated in the room, the boy did not bathe and was only given bread to eat, according to the report.
The teen also reported that a “special unit” would get involved when fights broke out and restraints were needed. He said he was thrown to the floor, hit and placed in restraints nearly two dozen times.
Sources told CNN that multiple teens in the shelter had similar experiences with the “special unit.” While New York laws allow for “de-escalation rooms,” they are not permitted as a form of punishment. Sources said the shelter’s “red room” was not voluntary.
“It sounds like real abuse,” one said. “If a kid was subjected to that in their home, not allowed to shower, kept in a confined space for that long, they’d be considered to be in an abusive situation.”
In a statement to CNN, a spokesperson for the Children’s Village said: “We have zero tolerance for any form of punishment.”
“All teens in our care deserve the highest level of care, support, and professionalism from every adult responsible for their well-being. Allegations of employee misconduct are deeply distressing, and if received, we make an immediate report to the authorities. We will take all necessary steps to ensure that any staff member found to have engaged in misconduct is addressed appropriately and without hesitation,” the spokesperson added.
The Independent has contacted the Children’s Village for comment.
The New York State Justice Center, which recieves reports of abuse and neglect declined to comment on reports it received about the shelter and did not provide CNN with information about its investigation.
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