Last Thursday, a Columbia father says his nonverbal adult son with autism was discovered alone inside a van parked in a Merriweather District garage after being left there for more than an hour. According to the family, first responders in the area noticed the vehicle and rescued the man, an episode the father says has left them shaken and urgently looking for answers.
As reported by CBS Baltimore, Howard County police say the man was found last Thursday in a parking garage in the Merriweather District and that he is an adult with autism who is nonverbal. The outlet reports the man was under the care of a caregiver employed by Richcroft, and that Richcroft told the station it had fired the caregiver and reported the incident to state authorities. Police are investigating whether the caregiver will face criminal charges, according to the report.
Family Speaks Out
Bill Shafley, the man's father, told CBS Baltimore, "You don't want to leave your child's safety to chance." He said first responders who happened to be nearby were the ones who saw and then rescued his son, and that the family has previously had concerns about oversight in home-based care. Shafley said he hopes speaking publicly will spur broader conversations about protections for vulnerable adults.
Provider Response And Oversight
Richcroft describes itself as a provider of residential and personal supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, operating more than 60 homes across central Maryland. Richcroft highlights individualized programs and staff training on its website, and the company told the station the incident is "completely inconsistent with its standards of care" while confirming regulators have been notified. Under Maryland rules, the Developmental Disabilities Administration and the state's Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ) are responsible for investigating reportable incidents at community providers, including timelines for inspections and follow-up. COMAR 10.22.02.03 lays out those investigation priorities and procedures.
A Bigger Problem: Staffing And Oversight
Advocates say incidents like this emerge against a national shortage of direct support professionals, the frontline workforce that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in daily life. The Arc notes the direct support workforce faces chronic vacancies, low wages and high turnover, conditions that experts say can weaken oversight and continuity of care. The Arc recommends better pay, more training and stronger state monitoring to reduce those risks.
What Happens Next
Howard County police and state regulators are reviewing the case while the family waits for next steps, and police have said they are investigating whether the caregiver will be charged. Anyone with information can contact the Howard County Police Department's anonymous tip line at 410-313-STOP or email [email protected], as listed on the county's police pages. Howard County Police posts guidance for submitting anonymous tips, and the Maryland Office of Health Care Quality explains how to file complaints about licensed community programs. The Maryland Office of Health Care Quality describes online and paper complaint options on its complaint page.
