Courtesy of the Trivett family
A beaming Jerry Trivett holds up honor roll certificates he received in elementary school. He died several years later at a treatment center in Oklahoma.
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From Pennsylvania to Oklahoma - and the end of the line at age 15
One was Wesley Dale Willbanks, who had spent nearly five years in an Oklahoma state prison after being convicted on 18 felony drug-dealing charges. Willbanks was still on probation when he began working at High Pointe.
Coffman, then director of nursing, was also disciplined. He said the proceeding was unfair.
"I became the fall guy," he said.
High Pointe surrendered its license to Oklahoma officials and closed nine months after Jerry died.
The center's owner, David Linden, insisted that the boy received proper medical care, and that even if he'd seen a specialist, it might not have made a difference. But he said he understands why some would wonder.
Contact staff writer John Sullivan at 215-854-2473 or johnsullivan@phillynews.com.
