SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Pine Lawn Manor has been fined $15,000 (Statement of Violation) by the Illinois Department of Public Health for failing to have enough trained staff to provide adequate resident supervision. The 68-bed intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled is located at 200 Poplar Drive in Sumner.

As part of a recent investigation, Department surveyors learned a resident with a long history of wandering had left the facility without staff knowledge and was found 1.5 miles away walking along a busy state highway. When police asked the facility if anyone was missing, staff responded they did not know and "they would have to check around."

The facility also failed to conduct a thorough investigation of a possible sexual assault involving two residents. Department investigators learned that evidence from the attack was not preserved and staff did not know how to properly handle evidence.

Both of the residents involved were repeatedly aggressive toward other residents, including grabbing other residents and or trying to pull off their clothes. Although staff was concerned the two put other residents at risk, behavior management plans were either not implemented or not updated.

In addition, Department investigators found there was not enough staff trained or in place to provide the necessary one-on-one supervision these residents, plus others, required.

The Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to ensure enough staff is available to take care of residents and they have the training or experience in tasks assigned to them; to develop and implement behavior management programs for residents with aggressive behavior; and to train staff on how to intervene to protect residents from sexually aggressive residents.

Pine Lawn Manor has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been scheduled.