Teen's Death at Westwood Lodge Goes to Trial
At issue is whether the staff acted appropriately preceding the 2006 death of a teenage girl.
Jury selection begins today for a trial focusing on the 2006 death of a teenager at a psychiatric care center in Westwood Monique Payne was 14 when she died while a resident at Westwood Lodge, a psychiatric hospital in town. Payne died of complications from an untreated brain tumor. Her mother, Theresa Payne, told Fox 25 that understaffing at the facility is to blame. "There is no reason for her to be dead now. Whatsoever. Especially at the age of 14. It's not right," Theresa Payne told FOX Undercover in 2007. "Her life is gone. For no reason." Monique complained for four days about headaches. According to Fox, when 911 was called, it was too late. The tumor was an inactive one Monique had for years. "They ignored all her cries. She was …
Michelle Colon
7:13 am on Friday, May 17, 2013
My name is Michelle colon. I was there when i was 15. I'm am now 34. For the 3 months i was there, the tortured me, stuck needles in my butt which are called i.m.'s. They wrapped me in a long green cloth with boards and straps. I was a human burrito. The staff would step on my back in order to pull the straps as tight as possible. I couldn't feel my fingers and sometimes had to urinate myself. … more ›