Lenny Ortega - 2006

Lenny Ortega died when he was only 16 years of age.

His death was the second death at Star Ranch. It was an accidental death. The poor boy was swept away by a creek and downed.

The case was investigated and the conclusion was that the boy hadn't been properly protected and warned against the dangerous waters, so the Ranch was closed down.

It was a tragic accident and a terrible loss for his family.

May he rest in peace.

Sources:

• Youth swept down creek dies (By Gerard MacCrossan, Kerrville Daily Times, June 1, 2006 - from Hope4Kidz)
• Victims 2005-9 (Fornits Wiki)

Christening “Mikie” Garcia - 2005

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights of Texas wrote back in 2005 that forced restraint has been associated with at least 20 other deaths in Texas since 1990.

One of the kids who left this world prematurely was Christening “Mikie” Garcia, who died at an unknown date around December 2005.

Together with Lenny Ortega he was one of the two boys who died at Star Ranch, which were a working ranch where so-called at risk kids from the foster care system was placed.

As stated in an article republished on the webpage of project Nospank very few of these 20 deaths ended up in criminal charges against the staff, because the restraint itself is described as an effort to aid a troubled client.

So for the most part the death of kids like Garcia is quickly forgotten leaving so room for an analyze so conditions could be improved so much that the number of deaths as result of residential care could be lowered.

References:
Datasheet about Star Ranch from the Fornits Home for Wayward Web Fora
Boy, 12, suffocated during restraint at Star Ranch, By Zeke MacCormack, Express-News Staff Writer, Express-News, December 8, 2005
Star Ranch resident’s death investigated, By Clint Schroeder, West Kerr Current