Cases of abuse at Sunmount Developmental Center overlooked by secrecy.

There have been cases of abuse reported at Sunmount Developmental Center that have gone unsolved over the years. Abuse is a contentious issue. In many cases, cases of abuse go unsolved. However with Sunmount Developmental Center, this is no exception.

The code of silence is just part of the culture as it is at many such institutions. Secrecy is common place in private institutions. Many staff will not talk to news reporters about the issues of this institution. Secrecy and cover-ups of abuse are what plague private institutions such as Sunmount Developmental Center.

Sunmount Developmental Center suffers from a high amount of injury from staff onto residents. Staff often assaults the residents that live here. There is also a high injury rate amongst residents. Many residents aren’t adequately fed. The mentally and physically disabled go through enough on their own.


For instance, take a look at the reports of abuse below for cited examples.:

According to Adkins family and from an internal report provided to The Times by the family,
Sunmount Developmental Center resident Eddie Adkins was set upon by several staff members after he grew upset that he was not allowed to go to the bathroom. A melee soon ensued by four state four state employees punching Eddie Adkins while he was sitting on a couch.

A deaf resident nearby told state investigators that he saw four state employees punching Eddie Adkins while he was sitting on a couch. He was so disturbed that he turned his hearing aid off during the melee. The assault took place in October 2011 when the staffers took down a male resident in the dining hall.


Two former employees of the Sunmount Developmental Center were sentenced to jail stemming from an October 2013 cover-up on the date of December 6, 2016. Jessica Rice and Suzanne Decheine assaulted an 18-year-old resident and gave him a head injury, which resulted into a seizure and a concussion. Both Jessica Rice and Suzanne Decheine covered this up from their superiors.

Prosecutors said neither sought immediate medical assistance for the victim. The Justice Center alleges the trio intentionally covered up the facts and circumstances surrounding the victim’s injuries along with co-workers Jeff Defayette.

All of the employees were fired following the incident with the exception of Norton who was suspended without pay.


Sunmount Developmental Center reopened as private nonprofit facility in 1965 for people with developmental disabilities as an immediate care facility for the mentally retarded. Sunmount Developmental Center is a private nonprofit facility that has been a Medicad participant since 1975. Sunmount Developmental Center receives between $80,000 and $120,000 per year for each person. Most of which is through Medicaid money.
Sunmount Developmental Center is located in Tupper Lake, New York, US.