W.Va. Forensics Collaboration Working To Identify Dozens Of Human Remains

Since launching in late spring, a joint effort between West Virginia forensics organizations has identified two sets of unidentified human remains, with dozens of other investigations already in the works.

Since launching in late spring, a joint effort between West Virginia forensics organizations has identified two sets of unidentified human remains, with dozens of other investigations already in the works.

The West Virginia Forensic Genealogy Commission is a new state collaboration that joins expert forces to analyze recovered human remains. It works by sharing research techniques, resources and analysis methods between several different organizations.

By joining forces, these groups aim to close unsolved deaths and provide “hope and closure to families statewide,” according to a press release from the West Virginia Department of Health (DH).

The commission was formed this year by the West Virginia Department of Health’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia Fusion Center and Marshall University.

The commission was made possible through Senate Bill 539, which was passed during this year’s legislative session and took effect in June. The bill created a “cold case database” where state forensic officials could collaborate on analyzing unidentified human remains.

Through the commission, the West Virginia State Police Forensic Lab and Marshall have used forensic analysis to create DNA profiles for unidentified human remains. So far, the organizations have processed samples from 32 cases.

The labs can then compare this DNA to DNA from a national law enforcement database, or DNA collected from family members of a missing person through the Marshall University Forensic Science Center.

“This represents a crucial step in restoring hope and closure to families facing the pain of uncertainty,” West Virginia Secretary of Health Sherri Young said in the press release. “We will leverage the latest forensic technology to treat unidentified remains with dignity.”

Laura Kuyper, director of the Forensic Science Center at Marshall University, said the school is “honored” to participate in a program that will “enhance traditional DNA testing with next-generation sequence technologies.”

Officials with the project say that collaborations between institutions can strengthen analysis efforts across the state.

Matt Izzo, chief administrator for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, said forensic analysis in West Virginia can be backlogged, but that the commission “provides a more efficient avenue” for the review process.

The West Virginia Fusion Center, one of the organizations behind the project, collects and evaluates “information and intelligence data regarding criminal and terrorist activity” in the state, according to its website.

Administrators at the Fusion Center say the commission helps with these efforts, too.

“We are very thankful for the opportunity and look forward to collaborating in the effort to bring new technology and resources to our state’s law enforcement to resolve unsolved crimes,” said Fusion Center Director Jack Luikart.

DoHS Closes Cross Lanes Child Care Center Amid Abuse Allegations

A Charleston-area childcare center has ceased operations pending further investigation by the Department of Human Services. It follows the circulation of a video that documented alleged abuse.

A Charleston-area childcare center has ceased operations pending further investigation by the Department of Human Services (DoHS). It follows the circulation of a video that documented alleged abuse.

On Sunday, DoHS placed Cross Lanes Child Care and Learning Center on a provisional license based on preliminary findings of violations including subjecting a child to physical punishment.

Preliminary findings also included: engaging in psychological punishment, failing to report serious occurrences within the required time frame, failing to supervise teaching and support staff and conduct regular staff meetings.

Families who rely on the center for child care can call Connect Child Care Resource and Referral at 1-800-595-8290 for information on available childcare options.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by West Virginia Public Broadcasting, Detective J.R. Coleman, of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department said Mary Atkins, who used to be employed at the daycare facility, advised witnessing her coworker, Amber Seiler, on several occasions in the summer of 2024 strike a four-year-old special needs female in the mouth area with her hand(s) as well as yell at her during nap time.

Over the weekend, Seiler was arrested for alleged child abuse at the center. Seiler was charged with two misdemeanors for battery and one felony count of battery and assault of a disabled child.

On Friday, DoHS announced it was launching an investigation in response to allegations of misconduct at the facility, following the circulation of a video on social media.

DoHS also urged the public to report any instances of suspected child abuse or neglect directly through the Centralized Intake for Abuse and Neglect, by calling 1-800-352-6513, rather than posting on social media.

In Friday’s release, DoHS said childcare workers are mandated reporters, meaning, under W.Va. Code §49-2-803, certain persons are required to make a report not more than 24 hours after suspecting abuse or neglect.

Cross Lanes Child Care and Learning Center has the right to appeal the decision to place its license on provisional status and reduce the facility’s capacity to zero by requesting an appeal in writing within 30 days.

Cross Lanes Child Care and Learning Center did not respond to West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s voicemail left Monday afternoon.

An estimated 20,000 West Virginia children need a spot in a childcare facility, but child care centers struggle to stay afloat and maintain staff in a state where so many depend on fixed government subsidies.

During a recent special session, lawmakers attempted to ease the financial strain by passing the Childcare Tax Credit Bill, offsetting one to two weeks of the cost of child care for one child annually.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Marshall Health.

W.Va. Agencies Participating In Drug Take Back Day

Local and state law enforcement agencies will collect unused medication and responsibly dispose of it on Saturday for Drug Takeback Day.

Local and state law enforcement agencies will collect unused medication on Saturday, Oct. 26 for Drug Takeback Day.

Twice each year, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sponsors events nationwide to collect unused or expired prescription medications and responsibly dispose of them to prevent abuse of the substances.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., collection sites will accept tablets, capsules, patches and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Syringes and illicit drugs will not be accepted. Also, liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain sealed in their original containers. The caps must be tightly sealed to prevent leakage.

A collection site locator and other information is available at DEATakeBack.com.

Since its start in 2010, Take Back Day has removed more than 66 tons of medication from circulation in West Virginia, according to a press release from U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, Will Thompson.

“The non-medical use of prescription drugs is the second-most common form of drug abuse in America,” Thompson said in the release. “Safely disposing of old, unwanted and unneeded prescription drugs is an effective way to prevent accidental poisoning, overdosing and abuse.”

Nationally, the DEA has collected 9,285 tons of medication in 14 years of take back days.

On Oct. 22, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced his office will partner with law enforcement and substance abuse prevention groups across West Virginia to provide staffing for collection sites on Saturday.

“Events like this are a key part of the work our office does to keep potentially dangerous drugs from being misused or abused,” Morrisey said in a release. “If anyone has unused or unwanted prescription drugs, especially opioids and other pain medications, I encourage them to bring them in to be safely discarded and destroyed.”

The Attorney General’s office has participated in Drug Take Back Day since 2013 and is coordinating with Capitol Police and the State Department of Homeland Security at a Take Back location at the State Capitol Complex Zone, adjacent to the Culture Center at the Greenbrier, Washington Street entrance.

The Capitol Police provide a year-round disposal box in Building 1, Room 152-A at the Capitol Complex.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Marshall Health.

W.Va. Will Distribute $40 Million In Grants To Rural Hospitals

$40 million appropriated by the legislature during the most recent special session is now available as grant funding for rural hospitals.

Gov. Jim Justice’s office announced the launch of the Rural Hospitals Grant Program in a press release Thursday, with a link to the application.

“Our rural hospitals are cornerstones of our communities in West Virginia,” Justice said in the release. “They support our families and neighbors in their toughest moments. Every West Virginian deserves access to quality healthcare, no matter where they live. This funding will help us make that a reality for everyone.”

The grant program has $40 million of appropriated funds to disburse. During the most recent special session of the legislature, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 2010, appropriating the surplus balance to the Governor’s Civil Contingent Fund to support rural hospitals.

Neither the application form, nor the press release make clear what constitutes a rural hospital, but the policies and procedures document for the grant program reads, “All rural hospitals in this state are eligible to apply.”

According to the application, grants must be used for capital improvement projects expected to be completed within 18 months of the date of the award.

Applications are due by November 15 and the governor’s office will disburse funds upon verification of eligibility.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Marshall Health.

Rehab Facility Sued For Medicaid Fraud

An investigation into alleged Medicaid fraud at a substance use treatment facility in Wood County led West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey to file a lawsuit against the facility.

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced his office is seeking more than $236,000 from a Wood County drug rehabilitation facility for alleged fraudulent Medicaid claims at a press conference Wednesday morning at the Wood County Courthouse.

However, the facility, Clean & Clear Advantage, LLC said in a statement provided to West Virginia Public Broadcasting Wednesday afternoon, that the company is also a victim of fraud.

According to the statement, in 2021, a man named Clifford Marlowe forged his credentials and documentation to Clean & Clear Advantage, LLC, and the company argues, took advantage of the turbulent COVID-19 pandemic to get a job as a therapist.

Marlowe did not have the required degree and was not a licensed master-level therapist. He also did not hold a healthcare license from the state.

“From the moment this deception was uncovered, Clean & Clear has fully cooperated with the investigation conducted by the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office,” the statement reads. “Clean & Clear is a victim of Mr. Marlowe’s egregious fraud, who targeted the facility at a time of great difficulty for us and the entire country, and we are working diligently to support state authorities in holding him accountable.”

Marlowe was indicted in September and charged with two felony counts of Medicaid fraud and fraudulent schemes.

Morrisey alleges claims for 52 patients, totaling nearly $79,000, were filed by Marlowe. He said his office was tipped off and his Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigation found fraudulent claims submitted to the state’s Medicaid program from May 2021 through January 2022.

“We believe that this individual was not qualified to render the services he did under the Medicaid law, and then, because the company did not take the steps to return the money that the company also is civilly liable to the Medicaid program for damages,” Morrisey said.

Morrisey acknowledged that Clean & Clear attempted to pay the $79,000.

“There was an effort made by the company to simply send a check in, in order to pay for the underlying amount that was alleged to have been improperly billed,” Morrisey said. “But that’s not how this works. If you allegedly violate the law, you’re not only subject to the simple money that you may have obtained improperly from overpayments. You’re likely to be subject to penalties as well. So that’s part of this process.”

Morrisey said his office is seeking three times the amount claimed as a signal to those who might try to take advantage of opioid settlement money flowing into the state.

“Anytime there’s a disaster and people are donating charitably, scammers come out to play,” Morrisey said. “But we want to send a message that that’s not going to be tolerated here in West Virginia.”

Morrisey is running in the 2024 General Election as the Republican nominee for Governor of West Virginia.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Marshall Health.

W.Va’s Overdose Death Rate Continues To Fall

Early data shows West Virginia’s overdose death rate is continuing to decline, following national trends.

Early data shows West Virginia’s overdose death rate is continuing to decline, following national trends.

West Virginia has led the nation in overdose death rates for a decade with a peak of 77 overdose deaths per 100,000 people in 2021. According to a 2023 report from the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), the state saw 1,453 overdose deaths that year.

In September, the Department of Human Services (DoHS) Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) announced provisional data for the state showed a 28 percent decrease in overdose deaths.

On Wednesday afternoon they announced data from the first quarter of 2023 compared to data from the same period this year, shows a 34 percent decrease in overdose deaths.

This data is provisional, meaning these are not finalized figures for the year. However, state officials don’t expect the decrease to fall below 25 percent, even with pending autopsies.

“We’re proud of this progress, but this is not a victory lap. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much more we need to do,” said Christina Mullins, DoHS deputy secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders. “Every life saved matters, and we will keep expanding prevention and treatment programs to ensure that the overdose death rate keeps dropping.”

Dr. Stephen Loyd, director of the DoHS ODCP, said the decline is a promising sign, but not a signal to let up.

“We are not backing off, we are doubling down,” Loyd said. “The fight to save lives continues. We’ve seen improvements, but our mission is far from complete. We are pushing forward, expanding access to naloxone, treatment, and other critical resources to drive this number down even further.”

In Wednesday’s press release, state officials attributed the decrease in overdose deaths, in part, to increased distribution of Naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication. According to DoHS, it has distributed 72,437 naloxone kits so far in 2024.

DoHS said it has also supplied the naloxone for Save a Life Day, a pilot project that began in Kanawha and Putnam counties in 2020.

By 2021, the project expanded to 17 counties, and then all 55 West Virginia counties participated in 2022.

Last year, all 13 Appalachian states participated, hosting more than 300 events and distributing more than 45,000 naloxone doses in a single day.

Four years after the project’s two-county start, 2024’s Save A Life Day events were held in every state east of the Mississippi River, and a few beyond.

According to the Charleston non-profit group that started Save A Life Day, Solutions Oriented Addiction Response (SOAR), 30,000 naloxone doses were distributed in West Virginia this year. A national tally is still being counted.

DoHS wants West Virginians struggling with substance use disorder to reach out to HELP4WV, a 24/7 helpline offering immediate assistance, confidential support and resource referrals.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Marshall Health.

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