Client Death at Bakersfield Group Home Leads to Criminal Investigation

The death of a resident at a group home for disabled adults in the community of Bakersfield, Calif., has been ruled a homicide and an ongoing investigation could result in criminal charges. A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed by the family.

The Kern Golden Empire reported this week that

"An hour-long surveillance video released Friday depicts a deadly struggle between a resident and staffers at a Bakersfield group home.

"The death of 27-year-old Joseph Adam Lynch July 9 at the Mountain View Ranch Residential Care home was ruled a homicide by the coroner.  The cause of Lynch's death was determined to be positional asphyxiation.  The Kern Sheriff's Department submitted a criminal case to the District Attorney's office, but prosecutors sent the case back for more investigation, Chief Deputy District Attorney Mark Pafford said Friday.

"The video was released by attorney Matt Clark of the law firm Chain Cohn and Stiles.  Clark represents the Lynch family in a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the group home, the staff members present that day, and the Kern Regional Center.  The Kern Regional Center was tasked with monitoring and assessing the quality of care delivered, Clark said.  Calls to the Regional Center and the Mountain View Ranch Residential Care home were not returned Friday.

"Lynch suffered from Fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition that causes a range of developmental problems including learning disabilities and cognitive impairment, the National Institutes of Health reports.  The condition also can lead to anxiety and hyperactive behavior such as fidgeting or impulsive actions, the NIH reports.  Lynch had been in the group home for about two years, Clark said." (...)

... read the complete article at Surveillance video shows struggle, death of man at Bakersfield group home, in the Kern Golden Empire (01/20/2014).