Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Follow Up-Haunted Houses in Austin: Austin State Hospital


I was wrong, a horror house.

From the Austin American-Stateman's Article, dated 11/18/11:

Psychiatrist kept working with children for 5 months while abuse claims investigated


A former Austin State Hospital child psychiatrist accused of sexually abusing his patients was allowed to continue working with minors at the facility for five months while the state investigated the allegations against him.
Dr. Charles Fischer, 59, was fired this week amid accusations that he had abused at least one patient while working in the child and adolescent unit of Austin State Hospital, a state-run psychiatric facility for people with mental illness. The investigation was started by the Department of Family and Protective Services in May, according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the case. On Oct. 24, the department told hospital officials that the psychiatrist had been involved in two instances of sexual abuse with at least one patient.
Officials have opened a wider inquiry into accusations from at least eight possible victims dating back to 2001.