:

Mental probe covered up

By Richard C. Widman

Staff Writer

COLUMBUS -State officials are covering up an incredible record of patient abuse, perversion, drug abuse, medical malpractice, employe theft and other crimes uncovered by the State Highway Patrol in its probe of the state's 29 mental institutions ordered last November by the governor.

The patrol reported in its findings being withheld from the pub. lic that patients were beaten, nurses' lives were threatened for

reporting patient abuse, and that doctors in some institutions are mentally ill themselves, The Plain Dealer learned.

At least one doctor is believed to sell drugs to patients and employes.

Another physician, a homosexual, admitted he takes small boys out of his hospital on out-of-state trips.

Thefts are widespread and more than $10,000 is missing from patients' accounts at one hospital, according to the report, to which The Plain Dealer has had access.

Meanwhile, a favorable picture

of the institutions was painted at a

news

conference yesterday by State Mental Health Director Timothy B. Moritz and Donald D. Cook, director of the Ohio Department of Highway Safety, of which the patrol is a part.

Purpose of the news conference ostensibly was to make the patrol's findings public. But Moritz and Cook refused to divulge details.

Instead, Moritz said, "The superintendents have corrected

any problems that were found or are in the process of doing it.'

>>

The investigation was ordered by Gov. James A. Rhodes in response to a Plain Dealer editorial call for investigation of Lima State Hospital following publication of stories that described patient abuse and administrative. misfeasance.

Moritz at the news conference yesterday said the patrol issued such recommendations as better supervision, management and Continued on Page 8-A

Moritz

Cook

•Worst abuses allegedly occurred at Toledo Mental Health Center. Page 9-A.