There’s a New Testament passage that Michael and Lisa Carey of Glenmont have often referred to in the almost six months since their 13-year-old son Jonathan died Feb. 15.
And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
Carey’s story has received national attention. An autistic boy who could not speak. A son whose parents began to believe he was being mistreated at a downstate autism facility, and whose life came to a short and tragic end when two employees of O.D. Heck’s Developmental Center were charged with fatally restraining Carey while driving on personal errands.
But since Jonathan’s death, the Careys moved forward, pressing state officials for access to records involving their son, receiving the attention of powerful legislators like state Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick, and getting Jonathan’s Law passed as a state law allowing parents access to their children’s records at residential facilities.
Now the Careys are looking for assistance from the community. Michael Carey is dissolving his Solo Auto Sales business on Delaware Avenue in Delmar and establishing The Jonathan Carey Foundation on the site.
We know Jonathan is in heaven and what we believe is that a lot of good can come from this, said Michael Carey, who believes many parents endure the same frustrations the Careys felt when trying to find out what was happening to their son at the Anderson School in Staatsburg in 2003.
It was at that school the Careys believe their son was being neglected and abused in what school officials termed was an `intense programming` of behavior modification for the child. Because of the Careys’ fight, the state Commission on Quality Care (CQC), and the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) began their own investigation, but all records were sealed. Jonathan’s Law now allows access to investigative records and reports regarding disabled children’s safety at all state-run or private facilities.
`Mike Carey has shown tremendous drive and courage by turning the tragic death of his son Jonathan into positive changes in state law. I also commend Mike for his decision to become a public advocate and to increase public awareness and education about the challenges faced by the mentally disabled and their families,` said Bruno.
Instead of the job being over, it is just beginning for Michael and Lisa. They will now run the day-to-day operations of The Jonathan Carey Foundation and with a budget of zero dollars, their first money will come from a 5K run and walkathon fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Elm Avenue Park in Delmar.
`I just feel strongly God is calling us into this, so I believe he will take care of us,` Carey said.
The foundation will accept charitable contributions and the mission is far-reaching. Not only will the Careys try to advocate for disabled children, but they will also try to assist orphans and children who are abandoned or abused.
`Our goal is to help as many vulnerable children as possible and to raise awareness of the scope of problems in residential, private and state-run facilities,` said Carey.
An informational meeting will be held Thursday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. at the Bethlehem Community Church on Elm Avenue to answer questions the community may have about The Foundation.
Meanwhile, a lawsuit by the Careys against the Anderson School is still in the early litigation stages. An amendment to Jonathan’s Law in July allowed the Careys to retroactively receive information from the 2004 state investigation regarding their son’s treatment at the school.
`We got our records, and they are very revealing of what happened at the Anderson School and what the state is doing to cover up child abuse,` said Carey.
The Jonathan Carey story is the subject of a People Magazine feature in August highlighting not only Jonathan but also the story of another 12-year-old child in Miami, Fla., who died from being restrained by employees of a health-care facility.
`In that case, there were no arrests, and they told the mother she has to wait one year for autopsy results,` said Carey.
Carey believes the system is corrupt and records of investigations were sealed because of the fear of lawsuits from parents.
`They try to make a very dangerous system look safer than it is,` said Carey, referring to the state agencies that oversee the quality of care for the developmentally disabled.
State Assemblyman Tim Gordon, I-Slingerlands, said the Careys have brought more attention to the issue of autism and cases that are similar to their own.
`Their story has impacted legislators in a way where a network has developed that has crossed party lines,` said Gordon. `There is a great need for what the Careys are offering with their foundation.`
Nadeem Mall, one of the two men involved in Jonathan Carey’s death, pleaded guilty on Monday, July 30, to criminally negligent homicide and will serve the next six months in jail in a plea bargain agreement. Mall is expected to testify against co-defendant Edwin Tirado, who is charged with fatally restraining Carey on the two workers’ 90-minute ride shopping while in an O.D. Heck vehicle. Both Michael and Lisa Carey were inside the courtroom when Mall pleaded guilty.
`We were hoping and praying Nadeem Mall would accept the plea bargain offered to him, but we were surprised,` said Carey. `We feel very strongly he did the right thing owning up to his part.`
Mall has been fired by O.D. Heck while Tirado, who awaits trial, is on unpaid leave. Carey said there are many difficult moments knowing their son Jonathan is gone, but the Careys’ 9-year-old Joshua helps the family cope.
`Sometimes we get overcome with grief, and he encourages us,` said Carey. `He has incredible faith.`
Contributions to The Jonathan Carey Foundation can be sent to 90 Delaware Ave., Delmar 12054. Information is available at www.jonathanslaw.org.“