Gov. Ted Strickland bans face-down restraint statewide

COLUMBUS (AP) — Gov. Ted Strickland has ordered a ban on a form of face-down restraint blamed for the death of a 17-year-old girl at a Cleveland treatment center last year.

Strickland signed the executive order Monday. His action follows the Dec. 13 death of Faith Finley, who choked on vomit and suffocated while being restrained at a church-run treatment center.

The order also sets other restraint rules for agencies that oversee homes and treatment centers for troubled or disabled youth and adults.

The governor says restraint should be used only when absolutely necessary and only by those with proper training.