Family Of Disabled Man Who Died In Van Blasts AHRC Non-Profit

(The van where Eason's body was found)

As investigators await the autopsy results of the 48-year-old developmentally disabled man found dead in a hot van in East Harlem on Tuesday, his family is criticizing the the nonprofit group responsible for his care. Alonzo Eason's body was found slumped over in the back of the van approximately six hours after his fellow passengers were dropped off at the East Harlem day center. It's still unclear how he was left behind, and what exactly caused his death, but his caretakers could face criminal charges.

The organization that runs the group home where Eason lives is the Association for the Help of Retarded Children [AHRC], which is one of the oldest nonprofits working with developmentally disabled New Yorkers. The Times reports that its annual revenue exceeds $200 million and runs group homes with nearly 600 beds. But Eason's family says they failed their relative even before he was left to die in the van. "It's really upsetting. They didn't treat him right," Nickiea Eason tells the Daily News. "Lonnie was really quiet. He had a childlike way about him."

Sources tell the Times that Eason "was nonverbal, typically needed assistance walking, and was known for his calm, mostly passive personality." He lived in a group home in the East Village, and one local resident tells NY1 his death was "totally irresponsible and horrifying. But I don't understand it because the [AHRC] staff who I know were very responsible." In a statement, AHRC said:

It is with tremendous sorrow that we mourn the loss of this young man who has been part of the AHRC family. He will be missed by his friends at both his residence and his adult day supports and will be forever in our thoughts. This is a tragic incident that is being thoroughly investigated internally at AHRC, by the police and by all regulatory agencies. All relevant parties were notified immediately and the investigative process has commenced. All legal requirements are being adhered to.
We are gathering the details of what transpired and have begun the process of thorough self-examination in this truly tragic incident in order to avoid incidents of this nature again. We cannot say anything more while this incident is being investigated. AHRC New York City is deeply saddened by the death of an individual who spent many of his 47 years being served by AHRC New York City. We mourn his loss and offer our condolences to his family.

In addition to the police investigation, Eason's death will also be investigated by the Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons With Disabilities, a state watchdog agency.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on August 4, 2011 12:11 PM

Comments [rss]

saltpeter

I worked with this company and this particular individual and I agree that this company is poorly ran. I've worked in the field of MR/DD for 15 years and this was, by far, the worst company I ever worked for. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, they have had a good public reputation because their board of executives spends more time pandering to big wigs in the field but that reputation is not evident in their treatment of the individuals they care for. There is systemic breakdown, poor management, and basic antagonism between staff and management that effects the quality of care and the focus on the clients that any MR/DD agency should have as their goal. I am so sorry for the loss of Alonzo's family. They did not deserve this agency and neither did he.

Michael Pede

I still work for the company and I disagree. They do alot of good. A driver made a really bad error and your blaming the whole company.Take a drive up to one of the camps we run in the summer , see how they enjoy coming here every summer for 2 weeks.Then tell me how bad of a job we are doing.

Spirit of 76

They deserve all the scorn coming their way. As others have said, it would have taken about 15 seconds to look in the windows and make sure the van was empty, assuming they were oblivious enough not to do a head count of people getting out of the van in the first place. This isn't even a failure of trust. The residents don't have any choice of whether to trust the workers. This was a failure of humanity.

Qwerkie

Just like the parents who leave their babies in the car "accidentally", the punishment should be much harsher than what they will probably get.

Qwerkie

Why do you guys keep using the Association for the Help of Retarded Children name? AHRC doesn't even use it anymore officially.

http://www.ahrcnyc.org/aboutus...

Michael Pede

Because thats what AHRC stands for.DUH!!!!

edgie168

So.. what does the "R" stand for now, then? Repulsive? Repugnant?

Michael Pede

Edgie,can you be more of an idiot??? This agency does alot of good. Its the drivers fault,your blaming the company. Everybody makes mistakes. This one was tragic.But to blame AHRC who does so much for people with disabilities because of a drivers negligence is just stupid.

edgie168

lolwut?

Qwerkie

It means the same as it always did, they just go by AHRC now publicly. I agree with their decision.

I'm just wondering why John felt the need to use the words when AHRC doesn't.