Darkness Shrouds A Montana Children’s Hospital
Did these events occur as reported, or was something darker lurking under the covers?
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Or text “MT” to 741-741. Both are open 24 hours.
Democrats and RINO alike have plundered billions from the American people. Citizens who faced the hardship of illegal shutdowns, inflation, planned food shortages, and whatever else these purple demons can generate suffer at their hands. And while our children starve and go without, repugnant political thieves gift America's future with the illegal enterprises of Ukraine.
Now, in 2023, these political whores demand the American people believe they care about the children.
This time around, they target the people of Montana with yet another tax. Twenty $20 million shifted into the hands of private companies like Shodair Children's Hospital with a dark past.
Is this another bailout? Maybe, but they're an organization that claims they protect those entrusted to them by families around the state.
For 125 years, our mission has been to take care of Montana children. And we’ve done that quite effectively over that period of time. And we will continue to do that … that’s our mission and we will stay true to our mission.
— CEO Craig Aasved
And if this new bill doesn’t make its way into law, those who suffer from mental illness cannot obtain care of any kind. That’s the narrative.
I can’t emphasize enough what dire situation we have with our mental health system, both adult and children.
— Rep. Ed Stafman (D, Bozeman, MT).
With heartstrings pulled, political pundits make their move.
But this time, we set a reminder about who your taxes will go to. We'll review forgotten events of the private non-profit Shodiar Mental Treatment facility. Let's take a closer look at how they treat Montana's youth and examine a few oddities steeped in numerology.
Shodiar, Montana’s Mental Health Facility
2019
On July 15, 2019, (5/15/2019) a tragedy unfolded. A fifteen-year-old (15) girl under the care of Shodair Treatment Center was killed on I-15. Many viewed in horror as they watched her last breath escape.
After the catastrophe, CEO Craig Aasved explained they're not perfect. They must go back and re-examine their procedures.
There were things that we weren’t doing right. And I think this (report) pointed it out, we’re not a perfect organization. And it really forced us to go back and look at our own procedures.
— CEO Craig Aasved
But two questions remain.
Why did a fifteen-year-old girl need to escape a private hospital and risk her life by running into oncoming traffic on the interstate?
Did Craig mean the words he spoke, or just give lip service out of an act of desperation?
Because, according to reports, his actions resemble lip service. They’ve known about their broken policies. And did nothing.
This is a very troubling report. This is a problem they knew they had, but unfortunately did not analyze, because they didn’t conduct a root-cause analysis that they needed to conduct.
— Beth Brenneman, an attorney for Disability Rights Montana, which monitors facilities that treat people with disabilities
Could this have been attributed to Kayla Neal's death? We’ll never know because they didn’t conduct a root-cause analysis due to the destruction of evidence.
“On July 15, 15-year-old Kayla Neal of Missoula fled the building after breaking the fire alarm and unlocking an outer door. She ran across a street and an open field and then onto I-15, where she was struck by a vehicle and killed.”
And if Craig’s words rang true, wouldn't the CEO made sure no others would suffer the same fate?
2019 Timelines
Jun 12: Boy triggers a fire alarm and escapes through open doors.
Jun 30: Girls escape through open doors as they are being repaired.
Jul 15: Girl escapes and gets killed on I-15
Jul 15: Same day as the death, two other girls escape.
Aug 18: Two girls escaped out the front door and fled under the I-15, a tunnel.
The same day a girl's killed, two others escape. A month later, two more girls break free. All this after Craig claims his facility will revisit their procedures.
Question, what policies does he refer? As reported in 2020 by DPHHS, employees ignored the "Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting procedures" and claimed they didn’t realize the need for reporting acts of child abuse to law enforcement.
The facility did not follow its own Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting policy. Interviews will staff indicated that staff were not aware of their responsibilities as mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect, and staff could not identify which staff member.
(MT DPHHS, 2020, p. 1)
It's a lie. Anyone in healthcare knows they must report any acts of child or sexual abuse to law enforcement. So, then, are they hiding something of a darker nature?
I ask because when an individual tried to report known accounts of sexual abuse, the facility restricted their ability to do so (MT DPHHS, 2020, p. 2).
On 07/12/2020, Resident #1 was inappropriately sexual touched by Resident #2. Resident #1 reported this incident to a staff member. The facility did not immediately report the allegation to law enforcement. The facility only made this report after Resident #1’s parents demanded to press charges. The facility failed to report the incident to Centralized Intake.
A willful violation of Montana state law 53-21-107-2.
Montana Code Annotated 2021,
TITLE 53. SOCIAL SERVICES AND INSTITUTIONS
CHAPTER 21. MENTALLY ILL(2) Each mental health facility shall publish policies and procedures that define the facility's guidelines for detecting, reporting, investigating, determining the validity, and resolving allegations of abuse or neglect.
Only after the parents of the patient in question threatened to sue did the facility comply. With these willful breaches of Montana's state law, why hasn't the CEO been held accountable or brought up on charges of child endangerment?
Again, what are they hiding?
I don't know. With that said, let’s dive into 2021 and determine if the changes protected children under their care.
2021
Two years after the death of a young girl, Shodair encountered another tragedy. A 15-year-old young woman commits suicide under their watch. Those who knew her asserted she was a friend to all and kind-hearted.
“[S]he was so kind hearted and an amazing friend to everyone,” wrote one person who said they were in Shodair at the same time. “I hope she knows how much I care about her, she will forever be missed and remembered.”
Why would a loving teenager, who didn't threaten others, choose suicide over help?
Perhaps, one reason is negligence. Shodiar didn't follow protocol?
Prior to the event, 15-minute checks were not always completed at regular intervals. (MT DPHHS, 2021, p. 4)
Again, willful negligence. But this time around, they hid pertinent information from reports required by law. If it weren't for the interviews, the other attempts at suicide would have gone unreported.
Resident #2 reported attempting to replicate the sentinel event by wrapping a shower curtain around her neck three times. This event was not reported to the department and was discovered during interviews.
(MT DPHHS, 2021, p. 5)
And if this wasn't bad enough. When a suicide occurred, and they couldn't cover it up, they destroyed key evidence. None will ever know the root cause of why it happened.
50-5-111-2 Prohibited activities: The facility did not preserve all evidence related to the sentinel event that occurred on May 19, 2021.”
(MT DPHHS, 2021, p. 1)
How can anyone claim this event as a suicide when they didn't have all the evidence to draw a solid conclusion?
Could it have been something else?
According to reports, the facility held a patient in isolation for 11 days. They had no written orders to justify their actions or consent from a professional.
Patient #1’s right to be free from isolation was violated for a period of 11 days.
The facility did not have written orders by a professional person that explains the rational for the action.
MT DPHHS, 2021, p. 1)
In other events, the hospital withheld information about the nature and extent of injuries children suffered when allegations were made against staff members.
53-21-107-7 Abuse & neglect at mental health facilities prohibited reporting investigations: … the facility did not include complete details of the allegation, including the names of any facility staff against whom the allegation is made…
53-21-142-13 Rights of person admitted to facility: The facility is not providing a humane psychological and physical environment. The facility has failed to ensure patient safety as evidenced by repeat occurrences of inadequate supervision resulting in a sentinel (any event that ends in death or severe injury) event on May 19, 2021.
(MT DPHHS, 2021, p. 2-3)
Could the reason for these senseless deaths be due to the staff's carelessness of patient care in this facility?
The Root Cause Analysis report provided to the department on June 10, 2021 cited human factors contributing to the patient suicide on May 19, 2021 including the facility's staffing shortages for over 1 month and therapist burnout. The facility has not implemented a mitigation plan to address either of these contributing factors. In addition, the facility has not provided additional education or training to staff regarding suicide prevention, signs and risk factors of suicide and monitoring patients when a distressing event or therapy session increases safety concerns. (MT DPHHS, 2021, p. 6)
Or is it something far darker lurking beneath the shadows?
The Numbers In The Report
As I examined the events outlined in the reports, I questioned the official narrative. Was this suicide, willful negligence or, God forbid, involuntary manslaughter?
What drove me to this line of reasoning was:
When others tried to make reports, the hospital blocked attempts.
Employees were protected when allegations were made against them.
Negligence and unsafe environments as documented.
They didn't report acts of sexual or child abuse.
The continued occurrence of the numbers fifteen (15) and three (3).
Fifteens and Threes:
Two 15-year-old girls dead.
15-minute check-in protocol not followed.
Death of a 15-year-old girl, occurred on July 15th, 2019, on I-15. Three Fifteens, and 2019.
Same day as the death on July 15th, two other girls escape. Three (3) girls.
2019 Timelines: Jun 12, Jun 30, Jul 15, Jul 15, Aug 18. All dates of the month, three's.
Before we continue, I’m making no accusations or claiming this facility engages in the occult. But I’ll share my views as the narrative feels odd with the repeated numerical patterns and the data contained within the official reports.
Fifteen
The number fifteen finds it’s way into the occult world. When added together it represents three (3).
Example: 1 + 5 = 6. The factor of 6 is 3.
This first brings me to the Devil's card (15). In general, it can represent mental bondage, entrapment, or the feeling of being overpowered by something or someone else.
When locked in an institution, could it give a person a sense of hopelessness, when they witness inappropriate events?
The reports at Shodiar display ill-treatment and a lack of accountability. Is there a spirit of entrapment within her walls?
The First Set of Fifteens
In 2019 on July 15th, a 15-year-old escaped and was killed on Interstate 15.
15+15+15 = 45 = 4+5 = 9/3 = 3. Gives us the Trinity.
In the timeline, when we focus on the day of the month and the year, another pattern unfolds. We derive three:
2019 = 2+1 = 3 + 9 = 12 = 1+2 = 3.
Jun 12 = 2+1 = 3.
Jun 30 = 3.
Jul 15 = 1+5 = 6/2 = 3.
Aug 18 = 1+8 = 9/3 = 3.
The month and day of the death is 7/15/2019. Which equates to:
7 + 1 + 5 + 2 + 0 + 1 + 9 = 25 = 2+5 = 7
The divine number. Perfection.
All threes in 2019: the trinity with the seven on the day of death being the 15th of July. Is this a coincidence or a dark energy at work?
The Number Three
The three faces of Satan have three meanings:
the tempter,
the destroyer,
and the liberator.
Were these children tempted (1) to flee the hospital due to the environment they experienced?
Once outside the enclosure, their body destroyed (2), liberated (3) and set free from the torment inside the prison walls. Their souls now elevated to a state of perfection, the seven (7).
Conclusion
Can the seven bring the fifteen and three into the light, so no other person will face the same fate?
Remember, from out of the darkness, the light shines forth. I don't know why the facility or leadership team still stands. But when we read reviews from Glassdoor, the terror aligns with public statements from ex-employees.
High turnover and out-of-control patients make it an unsafe working environment.
Terrible patient care.
Used restraints on patients when not needed.
The CEO takes no accountability when things go wrong.
Kids are kept as prisoners in the facility.
Children in the facility learned how to self-harm—and suffered severe depression after leaving.
Little training, if any.
Kids are out of control: no leadership or guidance.
So, I’ll ask one more time in closing. Was this suicide, negligence, or something else?
Whatever's happening at Shodiar, a dark cloud encompasses it. It's steeped in patterns of the occult as documented throughout its history.
Only time will unveil the haunting truth.
References
Aaron Bolton. 2023. “Daines, Tester Say New Nursing Home Rules Will Hurt Rural Areas.” Montana Public Radio. January 21, 2023.
Ed Stafman. 2023. Provide Supplemental Payments for Behavioral Health Services.
Freddy Monares. 2021. “Shodair Death Raises Questions About Staffing, Training.” Montana Public Radio.
Glassdoor. 2023. “Shodair Children’s Hospital Reviews: What Is It Like to Work At Shodair Children’s Hospital?” Glassdoor. 2023.
Mike Dennison. 2019. “Report: Shodair Hospital Had Multiple Patient Escapes before July 15 Death.” Q2 News (KTVQ). November 7, 2019.
MT DPHHS. 2020. “Shodair Residential Treatment Center - Core Issues.”
MT DPHHS. 2021. “Shodair Residential Treatment Center - Core Issues May 2021.”
MT DPHHS. 2021. “Shodair Children’s Hospital - Complaint Inspection.”
Shaylee Ragar. 2023. “Democrats Propose $20 Million for Montana’s Struggling Behavioral Health System.” Montana Public Radio. January 24, 2023.
Silvers, Mara. 2021. “Inadequate Staffing, Training at Shodair Contributed to Patient Death, Report Finds.” Montana Free Press. August 26, 2021.