A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in Arkansas after a 21-year-old man with developmental disabilities died while under the supervision of state health services employees. The case has raised serious concerns about restraint practices, staff training, and oversight at a state-run human development center.
Zachary Moore, who had the mental capacity of a young child, died on September 7, 2025, at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center. His family alleges that staff members held him face down for nearly 13 minutes and injected him with a chemical sedative before realizing he had stopped breathing.
According to an internal investigation conducted by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), Moore became combative on the day of the incident and attempted to bite other residents. Staff reportedly attempted to restrain him physically, but the restraint was described as ineffective. At that point, employees administered Geodon, a medication typically prescribed for schizophrenia and certain bipolar disorder episodes.
Geodon is classified as an antipsychotic medication and is sometimes used in emergency situations to calm severe agitation. However, concerns have emerged over how it was administered and whether proper protocols were followed during the physical restraint.
The state’s investigative report concluded that staff members did not follow required procedures. While the report did not publicly name Moore, his family confirmed that the findings relate to his death. His mother, Angela Stephens, has filed a claim seeking $725,000 in damages from the state, arguing that her son’s death was preventable.
Stephens described her son as cheerful and affectionate, saying he enjoyed arts and crafts and had a special love for tractors. She also criticized the facility’s communication with the family, stating that they received minimal information after being notified of his death and struggled for hours to get further clarification.
Moore’s death certificate ruled his death a homicide, citing “physiologic stress associated with struggle and prone restraint.” Prone restraint, which involves holding an individual face down, has long been controversial due to the risk of positional asphyxia and breathing complications.
In response to the incident, Arkansas DHS placed 11 employees on administrative leave and terminated one staff member. Leadership changes were also implemented at the facility, including the appointment of an interim superintendent. State officials stated that additional disciplinary measures would be taken if warranted.
Six individuals have since been charged in Bradley County with manslaughter and neglect of a vulnerable person. All are scheduled to appear in court on March 30. Authorities have not yet released further details about the specific actions attributed to each defendant.
In a public statement issued months after the incident, state officials acknowledged serious procedural failures and described the death as unacceptable. They emphasized that changes would be made to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The case has reignited broader discussions about the safety of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in institutional care settings. Advocacy groups have long warned about the dangers of improper restraint techniques and the need for de-escalation training when managing behavioral crises.
For Moore’s family, however, the legal proceedings are about accountability and justice. His mother has said that no settlement can replace her son, but she hopes the case will lead to reforms that protect others in similar facilities.
As the criminal case moves forward and the civil claim progresses, the outcome could have significant implications for policies governing restraint, sedation, and staff supervision in state-operated care centers across Arkansas.
