JIM WIGINTON
Chief- Ci\'il Division

MARY ALDOUS

Fir.u

t\S$i.~l:lnl

JOHN BLANKENSHIP
Chief lm·estigator

TRAVlS TOWNSEND
Chief- Cnmin:~l Di,·i:;iun

JERIYENNE
CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY
BRAZORIA COUNTY
Aprilll, 2011
Secretary Janet Napolitano
Department of Homeland Security
U. S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
Re:

Safety of Children in Custody ofImmigration and Customs Enforcement

Dear Secretary Napolitano:
I am sending this out of concern for the safety of children in the custody of Immigration
and Customs Enforcement regarding those children who are placed in Brazoria County.
Recently a matter came to my attention regarding an aggravated assault case concerning
Manuel Robles-Martinez. Mr. Robles-Martinez is seyenteen years old and his date of birth is 02-041994. He is currently charged with aggravated assault occurring on or about February 20, 2011 in
Brazoria County, Texas at a facility known as Shiloh Treatment Center in the Manvel, Texas area. I
have attached copies of the indictments for aggravated assault regarding Mr. Robles-Martinez and
the offense materials.
It is my understanding that he was in the custody of Immigrations and Customs
Enforcement and placed at Shiloh Treatment Center. What I have come to find as a result of a
pending prosecution is that Mr. Robles-Martinez had previously been in CPS custody, been in the
care and custody of the Texas Youth Commission and as a juvenile has a history of violent acts and
serious behavioral management issues.
In interfacing with the State of Texas in this regard, the information I atn provided is that
the Shiloh placement houses individuals with serious behavioral management issues and that this
facility is authorized to do so for children from the ages of three through seventeen.
I am concerned about the safety of other individuals at this location. This is due to the fact
that there have been a number of deaths over the years of minors placed on the property managed
by Shiloh and its affiliate corporation Daystar Treatment Center. These deaths have been
attributable to restraint holds usedl· on minors in certain situations which ultimately resulted .in}their
deaths. These matters have been refS1ed to Brazoria County Grand Juries in the past and have also ;"$'
resulted in lawsuits against Shiloh Treatment Center and Daystar Facility.
-··
I

·••

COUNTY COURTHOUSE. 111 F.. LOCUST, SUITE 411M, t\NGLF::TON, TEXAS 77515
Angleton Area
(979) 864-1230

Br.~Xo..;port

Art:ll

(979) 388-1230

Houston :\rca

F:~."<-CnminlliDivi:~iun

(281) 756-1230

(979) 86'4-1525

Fax-Civil Division
(979) 864-1712

Fa."<·CPS Division
(979}·849-891 4

 Secretary Janet Napolitano
April11, 2011
Page 2

The State of Texas is cw:rendy ~ the process of seelcing to revoke the license of Daystar
Treatment Center and has ceased placement of children at said facility. I have attached appropriate
lawsuit documentation regarding lawsuits against Shiloh Treatment Center and Daystat Residential
Treatment Center alleging that Shiloh and Daystar have common ownership and/ or administration '
and maintain no clear corporate distinction.
Recently, the Commissioner of the Texas Oepartment of Family and Protective Services
forwarded a letter to me committing to not placing_ Texas CPS children at Shiloh. Please find
attached a copy of said correspondence.
In addition to the paperwork I have forwarded there are previous deaths at said property
location.
I have contacted the Office of Refugee Resettlement regarding these concerns and met with
representatives regarding this matter. These representatives were receptive to our concerns and
showed a deep commitment towards the children in their care. They indicated that placement
opportunities for children with serious issues ate very limited and that Shiloh Treatment Center has
worked with children and been successful in many instances with their care and treatment
However, risk factors still exist .regarding Shiloh Treatment Center. Consequently, I am requesting
increased monitoring of Shiloh Treatment Center and that your agency review the same and
consider limiting the number of children placed in Shiloh Treatment Center. This would ensure
better monitoring and may ·reduce the risks.

I have also been provided information that Shiloh Treatment Center is experiencing financial
difficulty which may very well affect its operation in the future.
I will also provide a copy of this correspondence to the Office of Refugee Resettlement
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
,..~incerely,

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