Hawthorne-Cedar Knolls Treatment Facility Stops Taking New Residents

Editor's Note: The Hawthorne Cedar Knolls Residential Treatment Center halted new client intake. It is one of several facilities, including a school, operating on the campus in Mount Pleasant. Some of the residents are students at the school; however, it is the facility that has halted intake. Patch regrets the error.

MOUNT PLEASANT, NY — The Hawthorne Cedar Knolls Residential Treatment Facility has halted intake of new residents as a result of a weekend incident involving students, according to State Sen. Terrence Murphy.

This weekend, residents of the residential facility allegedly assaulted an elderly woman on the platform of the Valhalla Train Station taking money and her cell phone, Murphy said. That comes on top of a report last month that four residents of Hawthorne Cedar Knolls attacked a local restaurant owner after refusing to pay their bill, he said.

As a result, the Office of Child and Family Services has stopped intake for the Hawthorne Cedar Knolls facility effective immediately, he said in an announcement Monday afternoon.

"I thank and applaud Commissioner Poole for acknowledging the serious concerns of Mt. Pleasant residents and for taking this swift and decisive action," Murphy said. "We have worked incredibly hard to improve the situation at the Hawthorne Cedar Knolls facility, working with its regulatory agencies, local officials and law enforcement. It is my sincere hope that the necessary policies will be properly implemented to provide the services to the kids at the facility while ensuring the safety of its neighbors."

The Hawthorne Cedar Knolls Residential Treatment Center is one of three residential facilities on the Hawthorne campus administered by the Jewish Board of Family and Children Services. The Hawthorne Cedar Knolls Union Free School District is also on the campus. Some of the residents at the facilities are students at the school.

It was in May 2016 that Murphy sent a letter to Sheila Poole, the Commissioner of the Office of Child and Family Services, about reports from both Hawthorne Cedar Knolls and the Pleasantville Cottage School that he found troubling. A number of meetings were held in response to the letter, which he said prompted increased security policies and procedures at the school.

In his original letter to OCFS, Murphy had requested intake suspension be implemented unless inspections and unannounced visits were undertaken by the agency. In addition, the Senator proposed a community advisory board be formed to improve communication between the facility and community.

"Working alongside Commissioner Poole we have made some great progress in response to my initial request," Murphy said. "Unfortunately, it has become evident that the Hawthorne Cedar Knolls facility continues to experience serious problems despite the best efforts of all parties involved. I hope today's announcement is a catalyst for the Hawthorne Cedar Knolls administration to implement the important changes which will allow it to coexist with the Mt. Pleasant community."

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