DC woman concerned about care her special needs brother is receiving at local hospital

WASHINGTON — Wanda Hanna tells WUSA9 she has been desperately trying to get help for her brother. Samuel Hodge has down syndrome and is non verbal, and Hanna says he was being neglected while staying at Bridgepoint Hospital Capitol Hill. 

Wanda Hanna says her older brother, whom she calls Sammy, looked out for her when they were younger.

"Sam was like a protector," she said.

Samuel Hodge has down syndrome and is non verbal. Hanna says now it’s her turn to protect him.

"Sam cannot speak for himself I have to be Sam’s voice," said Hanna. 

The 65-year-old had been at Bridgepoint Hospital Capitol Hill since February. Hanna claims he’s being neglected.

"I documented with evidence of pictures of the neglect of me finding my brother in urine in bowel movement with multiple bed sore wounds," said Hanna. 

Hanna says it’s not just the hospital, but multiple agencies not giving Sam the proper care. While her brother was in the hospital, reports came in from her brother’s group home and guardian claiming he was in good overall health.

"...That state that my brother was actively walking around in the community and engaging in community activities his nutritional needs were on point...so the question to me was how was that possible," said Hanna. 

WUSA9 reached out to Bridgepoint Hospital and Hodge's guardian to ask about Ms. Hanna’s claims. That same day Hanna told WUSA9 she received an email from the guardian stating Hodge was being transferred to a different facility. 

Back in 2022, WUSA9 told you about another family fighting for better care at Bridgepoint National Harborside. A woman claimed her mother was being neglected and abused. 

Meanwhile, Hanna says she’ll continue to fight for her brother and other families who have loved ones with disabilities.

"Not only is Sammy experiencing neglect and abuse, they’re violating his civil rights as a human being. He’s a person. Just because he has down syndrome and he’s non verbal does not make him non-existent," Hanna said.

WUSA9 reached out to the hospital several times via email and phone, but the CEO never provided a statement regarding Ms. Hanna's claims.  A spokesperson with the DC Department of Health told WUSA9 the agency is investigating.