Name: Fantasia Franklin
Died: December 17, 2013
Age at death: 21
Cause of death: Suffocated during restraint
Location: Florence, South Carolina, USA
Details:
Fantasia had been living at the same assisted living center for twelve years. For most of the time her mother had had no complaints, but during the last two years of her life there had been multiple red flags, including one incident where Fantasia had been left alone at the facility while everyone else went out on a field trip.
Fantasia was held down, restrained in a Posey blanket with her chest compressed so that she couldn't breathe. She suffocated. The death was ruled a homicide.
Her mother is suing the center.
Editor's note: A Posey blanket is a restraint garment designed very much like a straitjacket.
Fantasia has the most beautiful name I have ever heard. We wish her mother luck in her quest for justice.
References:
Mother wants answers for child's death at facility
Wrongful death lawsuit filed in death of autistic Florence woman
How Could You? Hall of Shame- Pee Dee Regional Center
Autism Memorial 