Paige Elizabeth Lunsford - 2013

Paige Elizabeth Lunsford was a severe autistic girl aged only 14 when she was transferred to Carlton Palms Educational Center because her old group home could not handle this girl who was unable to speak due to her illness.

Ten days she lasted before she died after having been strapped down to a bed. She wore soft helmet, face mask and arm splints to prevent her from injuring herself.

She was vomiting. Still they didn't take her to a hospital where she could be treated. Instead they strapped her to a bed. Five days and night took it before she died. It was not a nice way to go.

The facility is now being investigated. It was far from the first incident involving Carlton Palms Educational Center.

But for Paige Elizabeth Lunsford it was the last. She died aged only 14.

May she find peace where she is now.



Sources:

• Teen's death, abuse complaints, arrests bring state pressure on Carlton Palms (Orlando Sentinel)
• Bound to bed: a girl’s agonizing death (Miami Herald)

Ian Mulhare - 2004

A 16 year old boy from Pennsylvania was sent to Syracuse in Utah to live at a restricted treatment facility where he was allowed no contact with friends and limited communication with parents and extended family.

Feeling isolated he decided to take his own life. He hanged himself in a bathroom. The facility was being required by state licensing officials to take "corrective action".

At little too late for the poor boy who until 2023 was unnamed.

It was a tragedy caused by using in-patient treatment instead of out-patient treatment. To ensure success the teenager in treatment needs support from both family and friends - especially when the treatment takes place many states away.

May he rest in peace.

Sources:

• Teen facility targets suicide prevention - State ordered steps be taken after hanging (Deseret News)
• Four recent Utah deaths in treatment programs (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Forty-nine States Slowly Realize Utah Is Not Safe Place for Children (MartyG Reports)