2 Investigators

Family Wants To Know "What Happened To Brian?"

OAK FOREST (CBS) ― A local family is searching for justice after their disabled son suffered unexplained injuries that ultimately led to his death.

CBS 2 Investigative Reporter Dave Savini exposed allegations of negligence and abuse at the one place his parents trusted he'd be safe. Now they want to know "What happened to Brian?"

Brian Kent, a severely disabled 25-year-old, needed around the clock supervision. He was supposed to be getting 24-hour, one-on-one care at Ann Kiley Developmental Center in Waukegan.

His father, Jim Kent, said, "I think people couldn't tolerate his special behaviors and I think they got mad."

According to the Kents, their son spent the last 100 days of his life living at Kiley. During that time they say they weren't told about numerous injuries he suffered.

"We had no idea there were that many occurrences," Jim Kent said.

The Kents claimed that when they finally got his medical file, they found 57 documented injuries, often bruises or scratches to his face and body.

Jim Kent, of Oak Forest, said he "definitely" thinks someone got away with murder. He and his wife, Linda, said they believe their autistic son was a victim of negligence.

"It's very hard, emotional," Jim Kent said.

The final blow came in the form of an injury to his abdomen. According to an autopsy, Brian Kent died of peritonitis from a ruptured intestine due to blunt trauma.

"I need justice; for someone to be prosecuted for Brian's death," Linda Kent said.

The Kents demanded a criminal investigation into how their son died. They obtained Kiley files that showed that staff members found it challenging to care for Brian Kent. After one difficult shift, a caretaker wrote: "thank God its over."

"How then does a young man or a person get so many injuries if someone is there 24 hours a day?" Jim Kent said.

The Kents said medical records obtained by them show at least 18 occasions where no one could say how Brian was injured.

Deborah Kennedy, an attorney for Equip for Equality, a civil rights group for those with disabilities, said, "People are being hurt. People are dying"

Equip for Equality is currently investigating Kiley for other problems related to the care of more residents and they are also investigating the Howe Developmental Center in Tinley Park, where 21 people have died since 2005.

"There have been a large number of deaths that have occurred in the Illinois state run institutions for people with developmental disabilities," Kennedy said.

Equip for equality has released a 23-page report examining the Kent death and 21 deaths at Howe.

Howe has been decertified by the federal government and no longer receives federal funding.

'The conditions at Howe have been brought into question," said Mary Kay Rizzolo, the associate director of the University of Illinois at Chicago's Institute on Disability and Human Development. "You hear about these abrasions and bruises, deaths, that can't be explained. And it brings a lot of questions to mind about what kind of supervision they really are getting."

The Kents said Illinois State Police have yet to find any criminal evidence surrounding his death. An internal investigation showed the facility failed to ensure his safety.

"It will just keep happening if someone doesn't put a stop to it," Linda Kent said.

To find out more about Equip for Equality, or if you need to make a complaint click here.

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