Were children sent to out-of-state hospitals to coerce reports of sexual abuse?
No children were hospitalized in order to coerce reports of abuse. Between 1993-1995, four of the children in the Wenatchee cases were placed at Pinecrest Hospital for in-patient psychiatric care. The need for the hospitalization was medically determined by local treatment providers and supported by the attending physician at Pinecrest. The children sent to Pinecrest had previously reported abuse. It is not unusual for Washington to have contracts with treatment facilities in bordering states. Pinecrest is located close to the border in Idaho and is closer for children needing services from eastern Washington. This would be similar to children in Vancouver who are often treated at a facility in Portland, Oregon. In-patient mental health beds for children are limited so all viable resources must be utilized. Pinecrest is a psychiatric accredited facility. What are the responsibilities of CPS and law enforcement in child abuse cases? Their responsibilities are very different. The law req
