‘He watched them kill him’: Mother fights for patients at development care facility where her son was held down for 13 minutes and injected with chemical before tragic death
The death of 21-year-old Zachary Moore at a state-run developmental care facility in Arkansas has become the center of a growing controversy over the treatment of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. What began as a heartbreaking loss for one family has evolved into a broader campaign for reform led by Zachary’s mother, Angela Stephens, who says she is determined to protect other vulnerable residents from suffering a similar fate. Authorities allege that Moore was restrained for nearly 13 minutes and injected with a chemical sedative before he died, leading to criminal charges against several facility employees and a substantial settlement with the state.
A Young Man with Complex Needs
Zachary Moore lived with IQSEC2 syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects brain development and can result in intellectual disabilities, communication difficulties, and behavioral challenges. According to his mother, despite being 21 years old, Zachary functioned at approximately the level of a young child and required specialized care and support throughout his life.
Stephens said her son thrived when he lived at a state developmental center in Conway, Arkansas. Staff members there had developed routines and strategies tailored to his needs, helping him manage behaviors and maintain stability. She described the Conway facility as a place where employees understood how to work with Zachary and accommodate his unique challenges.
Transfer to Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center
When Zachary was around 16 years old, he entered state care. Years later, administrators transferred him from the Conway facility to the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center in Warren, Arkansas. The decision reportedly puzzled his family because they believed the Conway staff had successfully learned how to care for him.
According to Stephens, she and others familiar with Zachary attempted to educate staff members at the Warren facility about his needs. They explained the importance of allowing him to follow established routines, wear protective equipment such as his helmet, and use coping mechanisms during behavioral episodes. However, Stephens later claimed that employees at the new facility did not fully embrace those approaches.
Concerns About His Care
Stephens has stated that after Zachary arrived at the Warren facility, communication changed dramatically. She said she no longer received the regular updates and information that she had come to expect from the Conway center. Those concerns intensified on the night of September 7, 2025.
According to Stephens, she received a phone call from a nurse who informed her that her son had died. She said the call provided little information and left her desperately searching for answers about what had happened. Efforts to obtain details from facility personnel and local authorities initially proved difficult.
The Incident That Led to His Death
An Arkansas Department of Human Services report later outlined the events that allegedly occurred on the day of Zachary’s death. According to the report, Moore became agitated and combative after a disagreement involving his tablet device. Staff members reportedly said he attempted to bite other residents.
Stephens contends that the conflict began when employees abruptly took away his tablet and instructed him to go to bed. She argued that staff members familiar with Zachary would have approached the situation differently and used techniques known to calm him rather than escalate his frustration.
According to her account, Zachary pulled a staff member’s hair during the incident, but another employee quickly intervened and the situation was brought under control. She said her son often redirected frustration by biting his shirt instead of harming himself or others, a behavior that had previously been recognized as a safer coping strategy.
Restrained for Nearly 13 Minutes
Authorities allege that rather than de-escalating the situation, staff members physically restrained Zachary. Investigators later concluded that he was held down for nearly 13 minutes. During the restraint, employees reportedly administered a chemical restraint known as Geodon.
Geodon is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and certain bipolar disorder episodes. In this case, investigators reported that it was used as a chemical restraint after physical restraint efforts were deemed ineffective.
Stephens alleges that her son was not wearing his protective helmet when he was tackled and restrained. She has repeatedly argued that the staff’s actions demonstrated a lack of understanding regarding his behavioral and developmental needs.
Discovery That Zachary Was Not Breathing
According to the Department of Human Services report, staff members later realized that Moore was no longer breathing. Emergency medical personnel responded to the facility, but Zachary was ultimately pronounced dead.
The circumstances surrounding the incident prompted an extensive investigation and drew scrutiny from state officials, disability advocates, and lawmakers concerned about conditions within Arkansas’ developmental care system.
Emergency Responder’s Account Deepened Family’s Concerns
Stephens later described a conversation with an emergency responder who allegedly told her the situation at the facility was one of the most disturbing incidents he had witnessed. According to her account, the responder claimed there was confusion among staff regarding key details, including when Zachary stopped breathing and exactly what had occurred during the restraint.
These revelations intensified the family’s determination to seek accountability and uncover the full truth about the events leading up to Moore’s death.
State Investigation and Administrative Actions
The Arkansas Department of Human Services launched an investigation into the incident. Following its findings, the agency placed 11 employees on administrative leave and terminated one staff member. State officials also replaced leadership at the facility and appointed an interim superintendent.
DHS Secretary Janet Mann described the loss of a resident in state care as unacceptable and emphasized that the incident did not reflect the level of care the agency strives to provide. The department pledged to hold those responsible accountable and implement changes aimed at preventing similar tragedies.
Criminal Charges Filed Against Employees
The investigation ultimately led to criminal charges against six individuals connected to the facility. Prosecutors charged them with manslaughter and neglect of a vulnerable person. Court proceedings were scheduled to determine whether the defendants would accept plea agreements or proceed to trial.
The criminal case remains a significant test of accountability within state-operated developmental care systems and has drawn attention from advocates nationwide.
$725,000 Settlement With the State
Angela Stephens later reached a settlement with the State of Arkansas worth $725,000. While the financial agreement provided some measure of acknowledgment, Stephens has repeatedly stressed that money cannot replace her son.
Instead, she focused on securing commitments for reform. According to Stephens, one of the most important aspects of the settlement was ensuring she would have a role in discussions regarding policy and procedural changes across Arkansas’ developmental care facilities.
“He Watched Them Kill Him”
One of the most emotional aspects of the case involves another resident who reportedly witnessed the incident. Stephens revealed that a young resident who shared Zachary’s room saw the events unfold and was later undergoing therapy as a result.
“He watched them kill him,” Stephens said, explaining that the child later wrote her a letter and gave a toy in memory of Zachary. The experience reinforced her determination to pursue reforms that could protect other residents from trauma and harm.
A Mother’s Mission for Change
Today, Stephens says her fight is no longer solely about her son. She has become an advocate for individuals living in developmental care facilities across Arkansas, pushing for stronger oversight, improved staff training, more rigorous hiring practices, enhanced background checks, and better protections for residents.
She continues to call for transparency from state officials and wants assurances that lessons learned from Zachary’s death will lead to meaningful reforms throughout the system. Her goal, she says, is to ensure that “the next Zachary” never experiences the same fate.
Lasting Impact of the Case
The death of Zachary Moore has become a symbol of broader concerns surrounding the care of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The allegations of prolonged restraint, chemical sedation, and systemic failures have sparked calls for increased accountability and oversight.
As criminal proceedings continue and state officials work to implement reforms, the case remains a powerful reminder of the responsibility entrusted to caregivers and institutions that serve some of society’s most vulnerable individuals. For Angela Stephens, the pursuit of justice now extends beyond her own loss and toward creating a safer future for every resident living in state developmental care facilities.
