Providence, RI, May 19, 2022 — Today, Dave Boyer, Legal Director of Disability Rights Rhode Island (DRRI) the independent and federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system for the state of Rhode Island, issued the following statement:

“On April 12, 2022, following a series of monitoring and investigations, DRRI notified the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals that we had initiated a formal investigation into the tragic death of Charlene Liberty, a former patent at Eleanor Slater Hospital. This investigation is being conducted pursuant to state and federal access authority granted to DRRI as an agency within the
federal P&A system.

We want to make the public aware, in light of recent news reports concerning Eleanor Slater Hospital, that we are a resource for anyone who may have information they want to share. We are reaching out to staff, patients, families and community members. Please contact us if you have information you believe is relevant to this investigation.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Investigations and Monitoring Unit – 401-831-3150
Jeanne Natale | Director of Investigations | ext. 222 | jnatale@drri.org
Ray Pingitore | Investigator | ext. 206 | rpingitore@drri.org

See official release here: https://drri.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Press-Release-ESH-Outreach-5.23.2022.pdf