Goochland warns state of barriers at Hallmark Youthcare before license revoked

Months before Virginia revoked the license of Hallmark Youthcare, a youth psychiatric facility in Goochland County, local social services warned the state about barriers to child-abuse investigations at the facility, WTVR CBS 6 reported.

The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) confirmed it did not directly respond to the warning letter but was reviewing or investigating the underlying cases, according to CBS 6.

Newly obtained emails show that the Virginia Children’s Ombudsman and an official from the Virginia Department of Social Services separately contacted DBHDS’ licensing head weeks after the warning, raising concerns and seeking answers about Hallmark Youthcare, CBS 6 reported.

These records add to ongoing questions about the state's response to warnings involving the facility. Governor Abigail Spanberger told CBS 6 in August her administration was still working to understand the situation and promised an accounting of the findings.

In April, Kimberly Jefferson, director of Goochland County Social Services, sent the initial letter to the state requesting intervention due to the barriers created by Hallmark Youthcare in child-abuse investigations, CBS 6 reported.