David Hess - 2016

17 year old David Hess was killed when employees confronted him on suspicion of stealing an Ipad. What they did to him led to his death. While Wordworth Academy is a reform school where children are sent to as punishment the death penalty is most likely not something Wordworth Academy should administer.

But the death sentence is what they administered and while it does not seem that anyone is interested in holding someone responsible the question remain how the authorities can allow such a place to continue their operations until the case has been investigated fully and anyone responsible put to justice.

The family of David Hess has lost a dear member and we can only offer our prayers to them. May he find peace where he is now.

Sources:

• New Probe Launched Into David Hess' Asphyxiation Death at Philadelphia Wordsworth Academy (NBC Philadelphia)
• Two years after Wordsworth teen’s death, more details released but no charges (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Death of teen at Wordsworth in fight over iPod ruled homicide (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

Janaia N Barnhart - 2016

15 year old Janaia N Barnhart died a rather violent death in 2016. Still the staff was able to escape criminal prosecution. The state took the license of Advoserv (now Bellwether Behavioral Health) under investigation but the world has been no raid and no member of the top management has been given the appropriate perb walk.

The world continues to be unfair and now a 15 year old girl was killed. At the time of her death, she became the third child to die in a Advoserv (now Bellwether Behavioral Health) facility. In this case the death takes place off camera. In an earlier case the tape was erased "by accident". It should have spoken for more investigation into what takes place in the many facilities run by Advoserv (now Bellwether Behavioral Health).

We can only send our prayers to the poor family left behind. May this poor girl find peace where she is now.


Sources:

• Camera Catches Shoving Match with Group Home Worker Before Teenager’s Heart Stopped (ProPublica)
• We Won't Let Janaia Die In Vain (Echo Awareness)
• Bellwether Behavioral Health Is Controversial Group Home Operator AdvoServ — With a New Name (Truthout)
• Md. teen who died days away from transfer from Delaware, attorney says (The Daily record)

Shaquan Allen - 2016

Only days before he was to leave for less restricted settings, 16 year old Shaquan Allen came into a conflict with two employees at the Lake Villa campus belonging to the Allendale Association. Poorly executed conflict resolution from the staff members resulted in the death of the boy. The police is conducting an investigation. Criminal charges have been brought forward. The court system will have to make a judgment on that.

But despite the outcome of the trial the family of the deceased boy dont get their boy back. It is unknown what brought Shaquan Allen to the facility but his death was not part of the purpose of his stay. It is a tragedy for his family.

May he find peace where he is now.

Sources:

• 'They Took My Baby's Life': 2 Charged in Death of Teen at Residential Treatment Center (NBC Chicago)
• Report criticizes state youth facility where teen died (Chicago Tribune)