Those of us who have been involved in this nightmare for nearly two decades now, KNOW all too well, that the industry will get away with what has just happened to another young person, so long as the controversy, window of loss and MONEY is placed before what is right , and the health and safety of children.
I "thought" that the horrible, tortorous death of Aaron Bacon would be the last, and that National Legislation would soon follow. NOT SO! What can I say, except to repeat myself. For the most part this industry is NOT governed by caring and compassionate people who care about the health and safety of children. Many have proven to be governed by a hitlarian mentality. As I explained to the GAO. We DID NOT know about the long talked about controversy in regard to this industry before Michelle enrolled in the Summit Quest Program. We were 'sold' a positive, hands on learning experience (school credits included) that would result in her coming home to her family who loved her. As I explained to the GAO, instead Michelle received a "do or die," death sentence, in the hands of inhumane, so-called survival experts.
Check out the May, 2007 issue of the National Geographic Magazine. In there you will read about the July 16th, 2006 death of 16 year old Elisa. She too entered a program voluntarily, but DID NOT make it home. My husband brought this article home to me from work. Someone knowing our fight for what is right placed the article on his desk. This article also mentions the 29 year old man who died the following day in yet another voluntary program. Read what DHS Licensor LJ Dustman has to say about the deaths of these two young people. Speaking of voluntary, Mitch Kurman's son died during a Boy Scout Expedition. This too was voluntary. It doesn't matter if the program, camp or behavior modification school is voluntary or not. The only difference between the entities is HOW the person came to be in the program, camp or school and where the MONEY comes from. Same goes for the Court Adjudicated entity. The same flaws exist in all them. The problem is with the "level of expectation" (little if any accoutability of those whom we entrust the lives of our children) and the "quality of care" (ex-felon worked with program my child died in).
The program told us Michelle dropped dead without warning, was given a blessing and wanted to go. Michelle's journal tells a whole different story.
I wouldn't believe what the program is saying. I wouldn't believe what DHS is saying. The program told us they were going to plant a tree where Michelle collapsed and died. I believe that if we put ALL the parents who's child died in ONE room together.......WOW! I believe the stories would be similar. The "Risk Management" maneuvers exibited by this industry is all too familiar to me. Find someone to blame, take a low profile, wait until things die down, then business as usual.
It's the same animal, but with different spots................
I hope, and still have it in me to pray, because I know that God is watching, that the GAO will offer a report that will expose the TRUTH behind what is happening to children in this industry. I also hope that this will in turn lead to some long overdue changes. The industry doesn't want to be told what to do. But, like the so-called "troubled teens" they are claiming to help with their programs, camps and behavior modification schools, their industry is troubled and in need of intervention.
My deepest sympathy and regards to the family of the most recent victim.
Michelle Sutton Memorial Fund, Inc.
Catherine Sutton
