Developmental Center Investigation Released

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A Montana Department of Justice investigation into the handling of a sexual assault investigation at the state hospital for the mentally disabled found a client protection specialist encouraged a client to recant her claim that an employee had sexually assaulted her.

The report includes a statement from a Jefferson County deputy who said a Montana Developmental Center staffer told him chief investigator Keith Reeder also tried to discourage her from taking the victim to the hospital or involving outside law enforcement.

The DOJ report was released late Wednesday afternoon. The Independent Record (http://bit.ly/JcR3qX ) reports Disability Rights Montana filed the lawsuit in February seeking the report's release. The group was concerned that people involuntarily committed to the Boulder center were at risk of abuse or neglect.

MDC officials did not immediately return calls from The Associated Press seeking comment.