What's Being Done For Devereux Children, Asks State Committee?

MALVERN, PA — The city of Philadelphia is removing 53 children for Devereux homes, after an investigation confirmed reports of abuse.

A hearing of the Pennsylvania House Human Services Committee on Tuesday will provide updates on steps being taken to improve the care of children residing at Devereux Behavioral Health facilities. Devereux Children's Behavioral Health Services is based in Malvern.

Rep. Kristine Howard, (D-Chester), a member of the Pennsylvania House Human Services Committee, will attend the hearing in the Irvis Office Building in Harrisburg at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

The treatment of children with special needs at Devereux facilities came to the attention of the state in August. The city of Philadelphia investigated after a media investigation exposed abuse. The Philadelphia Inquirer investigation revealed a pattern of abuse over decades.

Following its own investigation, the city of Philadelphia said last week it will remove the 53 children it had placed in Devereux facilities, according to Howard.

"As a former child abuse investigator, I am greatly distressed by the allegations of the abuse of vulnerable children by Devereux employees who should have been the guardians of their welfare and by the organization’s gross mismanagement which allowed these horrors to repeatedly occur," Howard said.

"I'm eager to find out what steps Devereux has taken to improve the care of children living in their facilities at the Human Services Committee tomorrow," Howard added.