ANNA, Ill. — The embattled Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in far southern Illinois has a new leader, after months of criticism and investigation into patient abuse and poor care at the facility.

A Capitol News Illinois and ProPublica report details the shakeup at Choate, located in Union County. Stephany Hoehner has replaced Bryant Davis as the center’s new director. Davis, who declined comment through a department spokesperson, will remain at Choate for one month during a transition period.

The news investigation found evidence of abuse and neglect at Choate and other Illinois Department of Human Services facilities. More than two dozen Choate employees have faced criminal charges since 2014.

In March, IDHS Secretary Grace Hou and Governor JB Pritzker announced a plan to begin moving some residents out of Choate. This week, the advocacy group Equip for Equality called on them to expand their plan for the center and move out every resident with a developmental disability. State officials say they are reviewing those recommendations.