5 indicted in hospital probe

The Cuyahoga County Grand Jury has indicted two employes, a former employe and two former residents of Broadview Center Hospital on charges that include sexual battery and inducing panic.

The indictments stem from the State Highway Patrol's investigation of state mental hospitals, said Sgt. Gary E. Betzler of the patrol's investigation division.

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Indicted were Larry J. Dixon, an activity therapist, on counts of sexual battery on a 17year-old male hospital resident, and William A. Lansaw and William G. Slack on one count each of felonious assault on the same resident. The resident suffered a frac-

tured jaw, said James E. O'Meara III, assistant county prosecutor.

O'Meara said Dixon committed homosexual acts on the resident.

Also indicted were Charles D. Gephart, a former resident, on one count of attempted sexual battery on a woman hospital aide Jan. 28, and Randy Pahel, also a former resident, for inducing panic Feb. 17 in a bomb scare at the hospital. Betzler said information against a sixth person would be presented to· the grand jury next week. He declined to give details.

Officials at the hospital, a state institution for the mentally retarded at 9543 Broadview Rd., Broadview Heights, declined comment.

Dixon, 29, of 2430 Klusner Ave., Parma, is accused of engaging in sexual conduct with the resident Jan. 20 and Feb. 18. He pleaded innocent in Common Pleas Court Thursday and and was released on $1,000 bond.

A hospital official said Dixon has been fired.

Lansaw, 24, of 7903 Greenwood View Dr., Parma, and Slack, also 24 and listed as living in Akron, are accused of causing serious

physical harm to the resident Sept, 3, 1974. Both are still employed at the hospital, an official said.

Lansaw, who said he is in charge of planning and programming activities and recreation, said he is innocent.

Slack, an activity therapist, could not be reached. He and Lansaw are scheduled for arraignment April 26.

Gephart, 20, pleaded innocent of attempted sexual battery and was being held in County Jail in lieu of $2,000 bond.

Pahel, 24, could not be located. The charge against him is a misdemeanor. His case was transferred to Parma Municipal Court, where he is to appear at 10:30 a.m. Monday.