Philip Williams Jr. - 1982

15 years was all that Philip Williams Jr. was allowed on this earth. The circumstances of his death remains not fully investigated because the authorities in Maine saw no interest in investigating the death of an expensive kid in foster care. Placed in foster care at age 9 after a tragedy in the family which removed both his parents from his life the authorities at some point decided that he needed some beating and sent him to Elan School where he was placed in a so-called therapeutic boxing ring where other students were allowed to box him until his mental spirit would be broken so the counselors could turn around in his mind like it was a pot of stew.

He suffered from headaches when he was put in the ring and the beatings didn't add any good to his condition. He was left in an office after his beating when his conditions worsened and he was driven to the hospital by counselors. There they found his condition to be serious and the doctors asked family members to turn off the machine for him to die as there was nothing they could do.

Was it the beatings or the brain aneurysm as it is stated in his records which claimed his life? We will never know because the management of the school had political ties to the very top of the system. No investigation was done. No examination was done. An expensive kid in the system was gone and the system liked the outcome.

His family has tried to seek justice but now where the school is closed the system tries to shut them down.

May Philip Williams Jr. find peace where he is now. May his family also find peace which might be done if the authorities release all the information they have.

Sources:

• PROFILE / 426934 (popvox)
• His family asks: What really happened to Phil at the Elan School? (Maine Sun Journal)
• Factsheet about the facility (Fornits Wiki)
• Victim list - 1980s (Fornits Wiki)

Alec Sanford Lansing - 2014

Trying to overcome loss in the family 17 year old Alec Sanford Lansing was placed at Trails Carolina, which is marketed as some kind of wilderness thing. During an outing he needed time for himself leading him to leave his group. During his time alone he fell and broke a bone. Unfortunately he fell in water which cooled him down causing his death.

Sometime away from home is not the answer when it comes to deal with personal loss. Marketing and television shows have made many believe that wilderness based treatment is safe. But nature can be cruel and unforgiving.

It is double tragedy for those left behind. First dealing with the loss which lead to his treatment. Then the loss of Alec himself.

May he find peace where he is now.

Source
Autopsy: Missing teen died of hypothermia in Nantahala (Blue Ridge Now)

Unknown - 2002

Years have gone by but today 14 years ago an unnamed 15-year-old girl died while she was forced to attend the now closed infamous Catherine Freer Wilderness program. It is was the second death that year at this program and one out of 3 death while the program was operating, which made it one of the most deadliest wilderness programs to attend.

The founder closed the program years later without warning so the employees and students at a boarding school the owner also ran was caught by surprise. Everything was really for profit and had nothing to do with the woman the program was named after. The owner just happens to know her.

It is very sad that this girl remains unnamed because it wasn't her fault that she was thrown into this dangerous enterprise. Based on what marketing material looked like and the little knowledge about the real danger of wilderness programs, it wasn't the fault of her parents either.

It was a tragedy waiting to happen but who could have prevented it? None.

May she find peace where she is now.


Sources:

• Staff list (HEAL-online)
• Factsheet about the program (Fornits Wiki)
• Wilderness therapy school closes abruptly (Albany Democrat Herald)

Charles William Chase Moody - 2002

17-year-old Charles Moody was sent to the wilderness program named "On Track Wilderness". During the hike the counselors decided to restrain him and that caused his death burried live under a pile of counselors without being able the breathe properly.

His death was only one out of many death which occured in similar matter.

The Brown Schools which operated the wilderness program closed only a few years later. Lawsuits were taking their toll on the organization.

However the closure of both wilderness program and the schools came too late for Charles Moody. May he find peace where he is now.


Sources:

• When discipline turns fatal (American Statesman - Project Nospank)
• A Father's quest (NBC Dateline)
• 358. On Track Wilderness Program (1000 places You don't want to be as a teenager)

Maria Mendoza - 2002

The type of restraint method used on 14-year-old Maria Mendoza has been shown to be deadly. It was known before she died but training of the employees were not good enough and that caused her untimely tragic death. The restraint was investigated and later ruled a homicide by the Harris County medical examiner's office.

The facility later changed their approach but it was too late for poor Maria.

May she find peace where she is now.


Sources:

• Girl's restraint death is ruled a homicide (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
• Krause: Common restraint used on girl who suffocated (Your Houston News))