Congressman Gonzalez Demands End to Child Abuse at the Shiloh Residential Treatment Center
WASHINGTON – Recently, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) spoke on the House Floor to condemn the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over reports of the mistreatment and abuse of children at the Shiloh Residential Treatment Center.
"I am calling on the administration to provide the American people with an explanation for this inhumane treatment of children," Congressman Gonzalez said. "Neither the administration, nor agencies therein, can hide behind subcontractors. I urge my colleagues to join in this argument and utilize their powers of congressional oversight to call for an end to this practice."
Watch the full floor speech by clicking below:
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Today, we speak about the most egregious acts from this administration, one after another after another, but I will not forget about our children.
I rise today to tell my fellow Members of Congress that I am appalled over reports of the mistreatment and abuse towards children at the Shiloh Residential Treatment Center.
The facility is under contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and located just south of Houston, Texas.
The Shiloh Facility is owned and operated by the same entity that formerly operated Day Star Treatment Centers.
You may remember this place. They closed because of the way in which they physically restrained children that led to the death of three teenagers.
In most cases children were hog-tied. Now, instead of hog-tied, they're drugging children to submission.
One child was prescribed 10 different shots and pills, including psycho-psychotic drugs. We're giving them Parkinson's medications, pain medications, anti-depressants and cognitive enhancers.
This is a disgrace.
A federal district judge recently explained psychotropic drugs as powerful medications that directly affect the central nervous system. They're particularly potent when administered to children.
They're more vulnerable to psychosis, seizures, disorders, suicidal thoughts and aggressions. This is a disgrace, and this is un-American, and it must stop now."