RHA Howell Center near Charlotte, North Carolina, has been fined $12,000 for institutional negligence after a 10-year-old autistic boy wandered away from the center and drowned.

On January 27, 2008, the 10-year-old boy ran from the facility, possibly chasing a small animal, and drowned. A video tape recorded the boy running.

A state report found the center failed to give enough supervision to the boy, who had a history of running. The RHA Howell Center had records stating the boy needed supervision at all times.

The center has said it has corrected all of the problems, so it will continue to get Medicaid reimbursement.

Source: “State: Care center knew boy was prone to running,” News and Observer, February 13, 2008.