haley rogers portland

Haley Rogers, a mental health aide at a residential treatment facility owned and operated by Cascadia Health in Gresham, Portland, was killed while working an overnight shift alone on July 16, 2023. Rogers was a member of Oregon AFSCME Local 1790, the union representing workers at Cascadia Health, which had been negotiating a new contract with the facility since May.

According to reports, a client named James Smith allegedly stabbed Rogers multiple times in a common area of the facility. Another healthcare worker found her dead when they arrived for their shift the following morning. Smith has pleaded not guilty to murder charges.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the union representing workers at Cascadia Health said that its members had been raising concerns about their safety on the job well before Rogers’ death. Safety issues, including the potential risk of staff working alone overnight, had been highlighted during contract negotiations. The union had also reportedly discussed how to enforce a no-weapons policy while allowing clients some degree of privacy and the potential for staff to wear alarms that trigger a call for outside help.

A spokesperson for Cascadia Health said that the safety of employees and clients was a top priority and that the company was dedicated to fostering a culture of safety within its organization.

The case has highlighted the dangers faced by healthcare workers in mental health facilities, and the need to ensure adequate staffing and safety measures to protect both staff and patients. The investigation into Rogers’ death is ongoing.