Revision 19-1; Effective July 1, 2019

The following sections are examples of allegations and do not represent a specific finding.

2110 Physical Abuse Allegations

Revision 24-2; Effective Dec. 2, 2024

Note: A person receiving services in this handbook refers to an individual receiving services as defined in 26 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Section 711.3.

  • An employee attempted to apprehend a person receiving services during an unauthorized attempt to leave. The employee punched the person in the face, resulting in a fractured jaw.
  • A person receiving services was treated for third-degree burns to the neck after an employee threw hot coffee on him.
  • An employee slapped a person receiving services after the person kicked the employee. The person receiving services had no visible injuries.
  • An employee taunted a person receiving services and as a result, the person became angry, hit a peer, and turned over a nearby table.

2120 Sexual Abuse Allegations

Revision 24-2; Effective Dec. 2, 2024

Note: A person receiving services in this handbook refers to an individual receiving services as defined in 26 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Section 711.3.

  • A person receiving services alleged sexual encounters with an employee during off-grounds excursions. The person accurately described details of the employee’s vehicle and the location and interior of the employee’s apartment.
  • After a year of living in a facility, a person receiving services was diagnosed as being pregnant. The father is unknown.
  • An adult receiving services in the community alleged his direct provider imposed non-consensual sexual activity on him.
  • The spouse of an HCS foster care provider is alleged to have sexual relations with a person receiving services. The spouse is deemed an agent because of the accepted responsibility, formal or informal, for providing services.

2130 Verbal or Emotional Abuse Allegations

Revision 24-2; Effective Dec. 2, 2024

Note: A person receiving services in this handbook refers to an individual receiving services as defined in 26 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Section 711.3.

  • A provider employee told a person receiving services, “You better act right or else.”
  • A staff member told a person receiving services, “I’m going to kill you man!” during a restraint.
  • An HCSSA employee told a person receiving services, “If you call and report this, I’m going to finish you!”
  • An HCS group home staff member told a person receiving services, “You are a liar, and that’s why your family doesn’t want you around!” As a direct result, the person threatened self-harm.

While verbal or emotional abuse may be more subjective than physical or sexual abuse, it can indicate a pattern of abuse committed by an alleged perpetrator. An allegation of verbal or emotional abuse may be the precursor for additional allegations of other types of abuse.

2140 Neglect Allegations

Revision 24-2; Effective Dec. 2, 2024

Note: A person receiving services in this handbook refers to an individual receiving services as defined in 26 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Section 711.3.

  • In a state hospital, a person receiving services who is on one-to-one observation for suicide precautions was left unattended for a short period.
  • A person receiving services was unattended in a building for several hours because staff did not arrange transportation for them or check the building before securing it for the evening.
  • A person receiving services was left with feces smeared on them for three hours when monitoring checks should have been conducted every hour.
  • A person receiving services took the medication of another person living in the same home because staff left the medication cabinet unlocked.
  • A person receiving services from a provider for repositioning and transfers, fell and hit their head on the wall during a transfer. They sustained a three-inch laceration on their head because of the fall.
  • A person receiving services from a Consumer Directed Services (CDS) provider was badly burned by hot bathwater.

2150 Exploitation Allegations

Revision 24-2; Effective Dec. 2, 2024

Note: A person receiving services in this handbook refers to an individual receiving services as defined in 26 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Section 711.3.

  • A staff member traded a pack of cigarettes for a $75 pair of boots from a person receiving services.
  • A person receiving services was coerced to shine a staff member’s boots without compensation.
  • A person receiving services handed their debit card to the provider so the provider could do their grocery shopping. The provider used the person’s debit card to purchase items for the provider and the provider’s children without the person’s knowledge.
  • A provider takes a person receiving services to the bank. While there, the provider has the person write a check, payable to cash from the person’s bank account for $580. The provider takes the money and uses the cash to pay the provider’s cell phone bill.