Matthew Goodman - 2002

14-year-old Matthew Goodman suffered from autism. It should be an illness he should be able to live with for many years. Instead due to the methods used at Bancroft NeuroHealth's "The Lindens" which was a residential treatment facility, he died when he was restrained by the employees in a way which hurt him.

The death was followed by other troubles with the treatment facility and in the end the facility promised to look at their methods.

For Matthew Goodman it was too late. May he find peace where he is now.

Sources:

• Boy's death puts spotlight on restraints (Billings Gazette)
• Institution Agrees To Changes Following Matthew Goodman Death (Inclusion Daily Express)
• Mother Sues Institution And Hospital Over Matthew Goodman's Death (Inclusion Daily Express)
• Placements halted at Haddonfield residence Officials say Bancroft NeuroHealth failed a fire drill. The center has been under scrutiny since a young resident's February death. (Philadelphia Media Network, PBC)

Katherine M. Lank - 2002

16 year old Katherine Lank was hicking with her group from Red Rock Ranch Academy when she fell down into a ravine and injured her head. She suffered for weeks at a hospital before dying. Many years have passed since but the danger of using hiking in connection with treatment of teenagers from the cities still exist. We don't know what prompted her stay at this ranch which closed not long after properly due to lawsuits but both she and her family would properly have preferred to be together instead of her dying alone and her family greaving at home without the possibility to do something.

Life in the program was strict and as punishment they were ordered to shit on a chair all day long looking at the wall. It was called "Poltergeist".

If only residential programs had envolved since 2002 but sadly they are not.

16 years is not much to be allowed on this earth. May she find peace where she is now.

Source:

• Utah wilderness therapy deaths (Salt Lake Tribune)
• LANK V. RED ROCK CANYON SCHOOL (casetext.com)

21 students at The Institute of the Immaculate Conception - 1884

A watchman discovered fire at the boarding school for girls and young women. He tried to wake the nuns who were in charge of the boarding school but they believed him to be a drunken man and refused to open the gates. It delayed the rescue work and other delays was caused by closed doors and poor ideas about escape routes.

In the end 26 people died - 21 were students and one even came from as far away as Germany.

The boarding school was rebuilt but it never became the same capacity in the local society as it was before the fire.

May all who died back then continue to rest in peace.


Sources:

• 26 died in 1884 Belleville boarding school fire (Belleville News Democrat)
• onvent of the Immaculate Conception (Genealogy Trails)

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)