A Gwinnett County treatment facility that is under investigation had clean state inspection reports during inspectors’ two most recent visits, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Lakeview Behavioral Health is under investigation by Gwinnett police after more than 40 complaints about patient abuse and neglect were filed, including one instance where a 55-year-old Suwanee man died last Friday, AJC.com previously reported. Cpl. Michele Pihera said the death investigation is "not criminal just yet," and detectives are waiting on toxicology reports.
MORE: Man dies at Gwinnett treatment facility already under investigation
Channel 2 obtained nine available state inspections, which are also called surveys, from the Georgia Department of Community Health, and the most recent two found no problems.
Five of the reports did find deficiencies, Channel 2 reported. In August 2017, the facility was cited for not having enough registered nurses on duty during some shifts. Last November, Lakeview was cited for dispensing drugs without patient or parental consent, the news station reported.
RELATED: Abuse complaints prompt probe of Gwinnett treatment facility
Since police started their investigation, 74 people have spoken with detectives about issues at the facility, Channel 2 reported. In the formal complaints, the youngest accuser is 23 years old and the oldest is 65, Pihera said.
“If we discover anything, we are going to self-report,” Lakeview Behavioral Health CEO Jim Spriyt previously told Channel 2. “I have seen nothing but dignity and respect from our staff.”
Ledesha Hayes, a former human relations director for the facility, previously spoke to Channel 2 about alleged incidents, claiming they weren’t documented correctly. Those include patients being dragged down hallways and one patient being found in a freezer crying. She’s among those who have spoken to police.
ALSO: Ex-employee speaks out against alleged abuse at Gwinnett treatment facility
The hospital, which treats people with drug addictions and mental illnesses, remains open and operational amid the police investigation.
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