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In wake of Revere group home slaying, state to study safety procedures

E-mail | Print | Comments () Posted by Martin Finucane February 8, 2011 05:48 PM

By Globe Staff

Responding to the recent slaying of a mental health worker at a group home in Revere, the state mental health commissioner announced today she was forming a task force to study safety procedures and training for people who provide services to the mentally ill in community settings.

"With the support of the mental health community, we hope to learn how we can ensure the safety of our staff and clients, while continuing to provide opportunities for individuals with serious mental illness to live safely, productively and as independently as possible in the community," Mental Health Commissioner Barbara A. Leadholm said in a statement.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. JudyAnn Bigby said state officials were "committed to worker safety and know that this tragedy has been very traumatic for many workers."

Deshawn James Chappell, a 27-year-old mentally ill man, is facing charges in the slaying of 25-year-old Stephanie Moulton of Peabody, who worked in the Revere group home where he lived.

The case raised questions about the risks taken by people who care for the severely mentally ill.