Pia Menon, a former attorney with the Chicago Public Guardian's Office, was assigned to investigate the Columbus-Maryville Children's Reception Center operated by Catholic Charities. Her report, suppressed by Public Guardian Patrick Murphy, was described to author Renny Golden. Generally, psychotropic medications take the place of nurturing. But the use of medications is not limited to group care facilities and the Children's Reception Center. It helps the foster care parents, who may not be qualified to deal with a disruptive child.
Staff often have no idea what a drug does to the child.
They dispense it like aspirin. There is absolutely no one to monitor kids on multiple meds. Prentis Caudill was a ward of the state. Both he and his sister endured the difficulties of placement in residential group homes and psychiatric facilities. The drugs were nice because they'd calm you down or put you to sleep for days.