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Squalor with a license Special Report Editor's Note: Photos on file with the state Department of Human Services' Office of Long Term Care document problems at residences that primarily house the mentally ill. Conditions include exposed electrical outlets, defective bedding, and a floor covered with cigarette burns. But according to the state, the law prevents the disclosure of the inspection reports and the names of facilities that are in violation of regulations. Associate Editor Mary Hargrove investigated in 1999 and the newsroom staff followed up. Squalor with a license - Mary Hargrove Citing "deplorable conditions" that could have resulted in serious harm or death, the state Department of Human Services is revoking licenses of three private facilities that primarily house mentally ill residents. State agency says law seals data on care residences - Mary Hargrove The men and women are elderly, mentally ill or mentally retarded -- Arkansans who through time or circumstance cannot take care of themselves. Friday, March 5, 1999 State scurries to remove residents from 3 centers - Andrew A. Green and Mary Hargrove Amid tense discussions and legal confusion, the state scrambled Thursday to remove residents from three residential-care facilities accused of multiple health and safety violations. Thursday, March 4, 1999 State gears to relocate residential-care patients - Andrew A. Green Just hours after a judge's ruling Wednesday, the state took steps to remove residents from three residential-care facilities accused of chronically providing unsafe, unsanitary environments for their clients, mostly the mentally ill or retarded. Tuesday, March 2, 1999 Order keeps care centers open for now - Jennifer Liberto Three residential care facilities ordered to close can remain open, at least for today, because of a temporary restraining order granted Monday in Pulaski County Chancery Court. Friday, February 26, 1999 England home loses its license; inspector fired - Mary Hargrove The license for Rest Avenue Residential of England, which houses the mentally ill, has been revoked and the man who headed inspections of those residential care facilities has been fired by the Arkansas Department of Human Services. Wednesday, February 24, 1999 De Queen care facility losing residents and license - Mary Hargrove The Arkansas Department of Human Services expects to have all residents removed from a De Queen residential care facility by the end of the week, despite repairs its owners have undertaken in an effort to retain their license. Tuesday, February 23, 1999 Two more residential-care centers lose funds - Mary Hargrove Two more facilities that primarily house the mentally ill had their personal-care Medicaid funds cut off Monday after surprise visits last week by auditors from the Arkansas Department of Human Services. Article on care facilities spurs bill to make investigations public - Rachel O'Neal and Elizabeth McFarland Reports on inspections and investigations at the 138 residential-care facilities licensed by the state would be subject to public inspection under a bill filed Monday by Sen. Mike Ross, D-Prescott. Care center burdening De Queen, mayor says - Sunni Thibodeau De QUEEN -- A De Queen residential-care center for the mentally ill could be one of three in the state to get its license revoked. Copyright, permissions and privacy policy Copyright © 2008, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. All rights reserved. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc.