Jason Tallman - 1993

Jason Tallman was only 12 years old when he was sent to Kid's Peace against the wishes of the family. He had hoped for a school where he could have continued to live at home.

He arrived at the facility May 11. May 12 he was death.

The cause of death was a failed restraint attempt. 85-pound boy ran out of air when two adult employees grabbed him and held him down on the floor.

Only one of the employees were prosecuted but no justice was found.

The system was not cut out for a small boy like Jason suffering from the illness he struggled with. The facility was his death sentence and the family could only watch and learn how their son was crushed.

Kidspace continued to be in operation claiming more lives.

May poor Jason find peace where he is now.


Sources:

• Jason’s Story (By Rick Tallman)
• The Tallman Story : Death and the High Cost of Kidspeace
• Victims - 1990s (Fornits Wiki)

Katherine Rice - 2008

Katherine Rice became only 16 years of age.

Somehow she got hold of methadone inside a treatment facility. What the methadone did at that place and how it entered the facility known as Kidspeace remains unanswered. Kidspeace is the totally wrong name for such a place.

Her death was the third death at this KidsPeace group home located in the North Whitehall Township.

Why wasn't the place investigated before? Why was there no change in the methods used at the facility?

Even the death of Rice did not end the methods used at the facility.

December 2011 there was an assault on an employee. May 2012 there was a fight at the facility.

The management seems useless caring about the patients.

It is not known that she did so she ended up there, but no crime can be so horrible that she should be exposed to neglect.

We can only hope that she has found peace where she is now.


Sources:

• Girl who OD'd at KidsPeace dies (The Morning Call)
• Teen who OD'd at KidsPeace dies (Topix.com)
• Woman allegedly choked another at KidsPeace in North Whitehall Township (Lehigh Valley)
• North Whitehall: Assault reported at Kids Peace (The Morning Call)
• Victims 2005-9 (Fornits Wiki)

Diane Harris - 1990

17 year old Diane Harris was restrained for 10 minutes before her body suddenly convulsed and then went limp. For good measure, they continued restraining her for 10 more minutes. She never moved again.

That became the end for a girl which the employees stated had a bad attitude. The punishment the employees gave her as result of this poor attitude was death.

According to an article in year 2000 her case was one of at least 18 where the patients died as result of the employees restraining them.

Restraint should be the very last option but in 1990 the doctors would not be bothered and restraint was used where situations could have been talked down with a little patience.

The answer to deaths like her is prosecution and legislation. It is so costly compensation to the family left behind that the facilities would be forced to secure their residents or being forced to shut down.

17 year old Diane Harris had relatives who will miss her forever. It is not to understand how much they suffer.

Let us hope that she found peace where she is now.


Sources:

• Deaths of mentally retarded while bound cause concern (By Karisa King, San Antonio Express-News: Metro and State, October 21, 2000)
• Victims - 1990s (Fornits Wiki)

James Tomas Roman - 1988

14 year old James Tomas Roman was a gifted boy when it came to sports. Unfortunately he lost his life suddenly and sadly while he was away from his family.

The worst thing which can happen to any parent is to lose a child. When prevented to be there because the child is not a home is a tragedy.

It is difficult to say what could have been done to prevent the loss of such a young life. The cause of death is listed as Brain Aneurysm. We don't know if there was a second autopsy as his tragic death occured before the need for such when teenagers die in residential care was obivious.

Each year at the school they arrange a tournement in his name. Unlike so many teenagers who lost their lives in residential programs, his name is not forgotten not that it is any comfort for his parents.

May he rest in peace.

Sources:

• Thread on the message board Fornits Home for Wayward Web Fora mentioning the boy
• Victims in the 1980s (Fornits Wiki)

Victoria Petersilka - 2002

When 14 year old Victoria Petersilka was found hanging from a fire sprinkler head at Maryville Academy for Girls it prompted an investigation.

The investigation concluded that it was a suicide. Months later a 11 year old girl was assaulted by two boys and it wasn't reported for days. Something was very wrong at this facility which had been in operation since 1883.

The mixture of children referred to the Academy was different that it used to be.

The supervision of the children was lacking and what took place before she was found remains unclear.

Afterwards the Academy was restructured and a new management as well as a new client group was targeted.

Still the shadow of a girl reaching out for help who was so grusome failed will forver overshadow the Maryville Academy for Girls.

Her life ended when it was just about to start.

Victoria Petersilka born 1987 - died 2002. Rest in peace.

Sources:

• Vickie `always wanted' a home (By David Heinzmann and Ofelia Casillas, Chicago Tribune, September 27, 2002)
• Victims 2000-4 (Fornits wiki)
• Factsheet about the facility (Fornits Wiki)