When Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department learned of William Ente imprisoned and isolated in his Santa Maria, California home, the Department chose not to respond.  William, now twenty-five, was diagnosed with autism as a child.  He has largely been denied contact with the outside world since age seventeen.

Sergeant Richard Brittingham barked a hearty guffaw at the suggestion that deputies should protect William.  When Sergeant Brittingham controlled his laughter, he exclaimed:  

That would be a stretch beyond imagination! 

Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC) in Santa Barbara County is under investigation for abuse of an autistic man who resided in multiple group homes managed by their vendors.  Complaints to Department of Developmental Services allege that William Ente (25) has been subject to false imprisonment and denied visitation and phone calls since 2010.  Under California law, preventing a dependent adult receiving visitors or phone calls constitutes isolation, which is a form of abuse.

Director Dr. Omar Noorzad responded that TCRC group homes isolated William at direction from William’s conservator, Dr. Ente.  Lompoc neurologist Dr. Philip Ente is William’s father and conservator.  Documents indicate that William’s step-mother, UC Santa Barbara graduate student Angela Ente, participated in isolating William.