State Probes Alleged Abuse at Juvenile Home

State officials said Wednesday that they are investigating allegations that a group home for juvenile offenders in Northern California delayed medical treatment of a 14-year-old, who lost sight in one eye, and that it committed other alleged abuses.

The California Department of Social Services accused Rite of Passage in San Andreas, about 90 miles east of Sacramento, of canceling several medical appointments for the teenager, and using the prospect of an eventual exam to change his behavior.

As a result, the teenager became blind in one eye, according to the department.

“The action we are taking can potentially move to revocation of the facility’s license and closure,” said department spokeswoman Blanca Castro.

“We may, however, reach an agreement or settlement that would ensure this severe and serious incident does not happen again,” she said.

Lawrence Howell, executive director of Rite of Passage, said that the boy missed only one medical appointment and that the problem “did not result in the loss of the young man’s vision.”

“A doctor who looked at his case said his vision was headed that way anyway,” Howell said. “Missing one medical appointment is serious, but we don’t believe it deserves shutting the facility down.”

Castro said there are “three other serious, separate complaints we are investigating there right now. All involve other teens.”

“We are using these cases to inform other probation departments that place kids in this facility about the complaints,” Castro added.

Many of the juveniles at Rite of Passage come from Los Angeles County.