After learning of her son's alleged abuse at Muckamore Abbey Hospital, a woman allegedly experienced trauma, according to testimony given at a public inquiry.
Timothy, Dawn's son, is a current patient at the facility.
There had been numerous safeguarding incidents, including problems with his medication and cleanliness, according to her.
At the age of two, he was identified as having a severe learning disability and autistic traits.
Examining allegations of abuse at Muckamore Abbey Hospital is the purpose of the investigation.
It offers facilities for adults with special needs and is run by the Belfast Health Trust.
2017 saw the start of a significant police investigation into allegations of abuse.
Dawn's written statement was read aloud on Tuesday.
She described receiving a call from a safeguarding manager at the Belfast Trust informing her of alleged abuses and the existence of CCTV footage.
Dawn called the news "very traumatic" and claimed she was informed she couldn't speak about it because of an ongoing police investigation.
The mother noticed alterations in her son after he relocated to Muckamore, including a decline in communication abilities and weight gain.
Before going to the hospital, Timmy, according to Dawn, had been put on a dairy- and gluten-free diet to help him relax and sleep better, but this diet did not continue at Muckamore.
When Timmy appeared "zombified" during one visit, she tried to talk to him about his medication, describing him as "expressionless and dull," but it was challenging to get any details.
Timmy, who is now 28 years old, was later brought to the emergency room of Antrim Area Hospital because his heart rate was extremely high.
Timmy's medication was supposed to be stopped, according to Dawn, but a Muckamore doctor said he would need to be weaned off of all medications.
She claimed Timmy did go back to the hospital, where a consultant wouldn't let him leave without guarantees he would be taken off the medication because they were worried he might have a heart attack.
When Dawn visited Timmy, she frequently had to wait or he was frequently fresh out of the shower.
But she claimed that on one occasion, when she got there, he looked dirty and had greasy hair.
Timmy's teeth hadn't been cleaned in years, and the staff had confirmed to Dawn that he hadn't visited a dentist, which Dawn felt demonstrated "clear neglect" that she believes is still going on today.
Timmy would let you brush his teeth if he was calm in the bath, the mother claimed she had told the staff.
Dawn claimed she was "appalled by the condition of Timmy's toenails" and "absolutely flipped out" when they were allowed to become excessively long a second time.
The mother also claimed in the statement that she never received receipts despite giving money each week for takeaways and toiletries totaling about £100.
Dawn claims that when she asked for information about Timmy's bank account, the person told her she had no right to know anything because it was not her money. .
Later, she found the account contained £100, which she couldn't comprehend.
Dawn claimed that ever since she learned about the abuse, she had received meticulous financial advice about Timmy and that the amount she was asked to give had significantly decreased.
Dawn admitted to the investigation that Timmy had occasionally been struck by another patient, but as long as he was okay, she never felt the need to call the police.
Dawn stated that she wanted her son relocated because of the abuse and that the trust had until late 2024 to find him a new home after winning a legal challenge to his current residence.
Dawn described the circumstances as "harrowing and devastating," and she added that her family "carefully discusses picking our battles.".
A "real disconnect between management and ward staff" existed at the hospital, she continued.
She claimed that after the CCTV was discovered, the level of care and the attitude of the staff temporarily improved before reverting to type. .
Six years have passed since the alleged abuses were discovered, according to Dawn, and it has been "very traumatic trying to come to terms with this."
