Hunt County Foster Care Center Shut Down After Tragic Death of 11-Year-Old

Foster Facility Closed Following Child’s Death

A residential treatment center for foster children in Hunt County, Texas, has been permanently shut down after the death of an 11-year-old boy who was under its care. A newly released report details that the child, identified as O.R., passed away in a movie theater, despite repeatedly pleading for help, which was ignored by staff.

What Happened?

According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), O.R. was part of a group of 20 children taken to see Gladiator II by seven staff members from Thompson’s Residential Treatment Center in Greenville on November 27, 2024.

While staff initially claimed he was fine, security footage painted a different picture. The video showed O.R. weak, struggling to walk, and being dragged by staff members. When he collapsed at the ticket counter, staff continued dragging him into the theater.

At the end of the movie, staff laid O.R. on the hallway floor and waited three minutes before attempting CPR. Emergency services were contacted at 10:06 PM.

Ignored Medical Warnings

Earlier that morning, O.R. woke up crying and complaining of stomach pain. He repeatedly told staff that he was too sick to attend the movie. A preliminary autopsy later revealed that he had a bowel blockage, a condition that could have been treated.

A Troubled History of Abuse & Neglect

The facility was shut down a week after O.R.’s death, but records show a long history of abuse and neglect at the center:

• 2011: The center was cited for running “fight clubs” where staff allegedly placed bets on fights between children.
• Multiple Reports: Allegations of sexual misconduct among children and lack of intervention.
• The supervisor in charge of the movie trip had previous complaints of physical abuse at another Thompson’s campus.

Why Was This Facility Still Operating?

Despite repeated violations, state agencies failed to act until a child died. State Senator Angela Paxton recently questioned why these facilities are only shut down after tragic incidents.

HHS Chief Policy and Regulatory Officer Jordan Dixon suggested that overregulation might be an issue, stating that compliance checks only cover half of the rules each year, making it difficult to shut down problematic facilities proactively.