How Could You? Hall of Shame-Ethan Kleinhans case-Adult Death

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Toledo, Ohio, Ethan Kleinhans “a teenager with developmental disabilities has died unexpectedly. The mother says two caregivers are to blame.”

His mother, DeAnne Kleinhans, says that even though he was 19, he had the developmental level of a 2-year-old.

Because of Ethan’s condition, he lived in a group home owned by the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities. Ethan’s mother says it was two ViaQuest staff members that took him on a van ride the day he died.

“At some point in time they parked the vehicle, both staff got out of the vehicle or were not in the vehicle,” DeAnne said. “He was left unsupervised.”

However, DeAnne said Ethan was supposed to have two staff members with him at all times, one of them within arms reach. She says Ethan wears a harness in the car and has to be tethered in.

According to Toledo Police, Toledo Fire were called to a home on Hallgate St. on March 3, 2024. The report states that first responders found a male tangled in his harness inside a transport van. The caller reported he was unconscious.

DeAnne says no medical care was provided to her son until first responders arrived.

The Lucas County Coroner ruled Ethan’s death a homicide. Reports obtained by 13 Action News show that the coroner determined the cause of death to be, “Asphyxiation due to neck compression.” The report also says he was unsupervised in an improperly sized vehicle safety harness.

“It takes 4 to 6 minutes to strangle to death so he suffered,” DeAnne said. “It could have all been prevented if they were doing their job.”

Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent, Brent Baer issued 13 Action News this statement: “We are aware of the incident and are deeply saddened by the loss of Ethan. Our hearts go out to the family and the and the many staff who love Ethan. We await the results of the grand jury and thank the Toledo Police Department for the hard work to complete the investigation. We are unable to provide further comment on this on-going investigation.”

A spokesperson from ViaQuest told 13 Action News in a statement, “We are aware of the tragic situation. Our hearts go out to the mother and family. The company is fully cooperating with the investigation being conducted by the Toledo police.”

But, Ethan’s mother still wants answers.

“I want to know what they were doing, why they weren’t in the van I want to know how long they left him,” DeAnne said.

This isn’t the first time police have been involved in abuse allegations involving ViaQuest and Ethan Kleinhsas. An incident that happened in 2019 lead to a caregiver behind bars convicted of patient abuse and felonious assault.”

Mother seeks accountability from caregivers in son’s homicide

[13 ABC 10/10/24 by Alexandria Manthey]

REFORM Puzzle Piece