DeBrodie case spurs policy review by statewide association

During its monthly meeting, the Missouri Association of County Development Disabilities Services discussed Wednesday how to prevent abuse and neglect of clients.

“As a membership, we’ve been discussing what types of safeguards could be put in place in addition to what currently exists, to reduce the likelihood of the exploitation or neglect of people with developmental disabilities in programs that we monitor,” said executive director Les Wagner.

After Carl DeBrodie was reported missing from the Second Chance home for the developmentally disabled and later found dead, Wagner said he was appalled.

“We held a meeting with people from all over the state and we were making inquiry into what procedures, processes, safeguards, additional monitoring and auditing they do, which if applied in this situation, might have prevented it or reduced the likelihood of it,” said Wagner.

Association leaders created a committee with the purpose of identifying possible policy changes and the creation of what Wagner called “a more systematic approach” for reacting to situations like those of DeBrodie, Second Chance and Callaway County Special Services.

“We can do better,” said Wagner. “You can’t keep bad people from doing bad things, but you can sure find out about it as soon as they can.”

More stories about the Carl DeBrodie investigation can be found adjacent to this story on the upper-right side.