Palm Springs Cerebral Palsy Center closed after lack of background investigations discovered

State officials said Monday that a series of health and safety code violations, uncovered during the investigation of a autistic girl's death, forced the closure of the United Cerebral Palsy Dennis James Center in Cathedral City.

The California Department of Social Services shut down the center Friday. The move followed an investigation prompted by the death of 5-year-old Anyah Raven Glossinger.

A public safety report filed Friday alleges that the center employed a number of unqualified staff members to work with disabled Coachella Valley children.

Anyah drowned in January while participating in hydrotherapy at an indoor mineral pool in Desert Hot Springs run by Angel View Crippled Children's Foundation Inc. She was under the supervision of three United Cerebral Palsy employees.

A notice of the suspension was mailed to parents and guardians whose children attend the center, said state department spokeswoman Shirley Washington.

Anyah's mother, Emily Wereschagin, said she was notified of the action Friday by phone.

"There is definitely a little comfort in this," Wereschagin said. "It's not something that can be fixed or something that'll go away. We're absolutely heartbroken, but it is comforting that people do recognize the severity of the situation and the importance of keeping disabled children safe."

The report alleges the United Cerebral Palsy Dennis James Center:

Failed to provide care and supervision necessary to meet the needs of Anyah on Jan. 23.

Failed to obtain required criminal clearances on or before March 12 for 10 facility staff prior to the date of their employment.

Employed seven unqualified staff persons who did not meet "training and educational background requirements to be teachers in a child care center."

Failed to employ a qualified child care center director.

Failed to comply with staff personnel requirements for three staff members, "including health screening documentation to show these staff persons are in good health and physically and mentally capable of performing assigned tasks."

United Cerebral Palsy Dennis James Center officials have 15 days to appeal the suspension. An administrative hearing would then be held within 90 days, Washington said.

"This will go through a lengthy process," Washington said, "and the facility will remain closed until an administrative law judge administers a decision."

The Desert Sun was unable to reach a representatives of the United Cerebral Palsy Dennis James Center on Monday, but according to a voicemail message, center CEO Jeff Snyder is expected back in the office March 24.

"It's the first step in a long fight, and we appreciate the state's involvement and all the investigating agencies," Wereschagin said.

Other probes related to Anyah's death are continuing.

An investigation of the United Cerebral Palsy Dennis James Center by the California Department of Developmental Services is ongoing.

A criminal investigation also is being conducted by the Desert Hot Springs Police Department. Police have deemed the death accidental, but Det. Sgt. Radames Gil said investigators are looking into whether negligence played a part.

And an investigation of the Angel View facility by the Riverside County Environmental Health Department is continuing.