A major fight at a children’s mental hospital in Raleigh could have been prevented, according to a former employee, if leadership had listened to her concerns.
WRAL Investigates reported on the fight that occurred on Dec. 22 at Holly Hill Children’s Hospital on Michael J. Smith Lane.
Holly Hill’s campuses, for both children and adults, have been the subjects of multiple WRAL investigations over the course of months. WRAL’s reporting has revealed concerns about patient treatment, including over-medication and a lack of adequate therapy. Seven juveniles have escaped from the facility since 2021. State inspectors have noted multiple violations of care standards.
Several days before the Dec. 22 fight, Kyle Worrell contacted WRAL Investigates.
Worell was a mental health technician at Holly Hill Children’s who told us she resigned only hours before the interview, due to concerns about the safety of herself, fellow staff and patients at the facility. She claimed the facility was routinely understaffed to the point that it jeopardized staff and patient safety. Further, she told WRAL Investigates she had raised that issue to leadership but was “ignored.”
Worrell said she had been punched in the face by a patient the night prior, resulting in police being called and her being taken by ambulance to the hospital for treatment.
“Nothing’s being done,” Worrell said. “They’re neglecting the patients here at Holly Hill Hospital. I won’t stand for it.”
In a statement provided to WRAL Investigates, Holly Hill CEO Leigh Holston disputed that, writing:
“Holly Hill Hospital has been, and is, staffed appropriately and according to requirements. Holly Hill Hospital denies any commentary about the adequacy of the facility staffing.”
Worrell, however, described instances in which she said there was only one mental health technician assigned to 14 juvenile patients. She said physical attacks were common, stating that she had been assaulted on multiple occasions.
“It’s almost as if we come to work and we are expected to get hit by a patient,” Worrell said.
Worrell wanted to share her experiences with WRAL Investigates in hopes of raising awareness about conditions at the facility, particularly because she is a mother herself.
“Being that I have children and I’m a mom, it doesn’t sit right with me,” Worrell said.
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