Astrid Valdivia - 2011

Astrid Valdivia life was short. Only 13 years she was allowed. She was placed at Utah Youth Village but while she could be been watched, the facility failed her and she ran away with a man. The authorities tried to get her but the man was armed and during a shoot-out with the police a bullet struck the poor girl

Her family expected more from the facility and rightfully they should have gotten more but all too often economy matters more than the security of the children in such facilities.

Her death was so unnecessary and she will be missed by family and friends

Sources:

• South Salt Lake police seek missing teen last seen at foster home (Deseret News)
• Family of 13-year-old killed in shootout files wrongful death lawsuit (Deseret News)
• Family of slain teen files wrongful death lawsuit against state (KSL News)

Wade Johnson - 1951

Wade Johnson was only 15 years of age when he was shot by two other students at the boarding school he attended.

The Alexander School was a boarding school operating until 1998. While judged as a good place to live for children who was not cared for by parents or extended family, the place also nursed a kind of fearful environment where students kept their secrets out of fear of punishment. Unwillingly Wade Johnson breached the code of conduct and gave information to the head master W.C. Sweatt about a forbidden relationship with a girl.

For this breach of conduct two students shot both Wade Johnson and the head master. The oldest boy was given life in prison. No information has been found on the nature of punishment for the younger killer aged 16 at the time. A girl who was involved was sought by the police. It is unknown if she was punished.

For poor Wade Johnson his placement at this now closed boarding school meant death. It is unfair and tragic. May he find peace where he is now.


Sources:

• Two men killed by Youths at private school (The Dispatch)
• Fw: W. E. SWEATT of Alexander School: 1951 news articles (Ancestry)