Fornits

Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => The Troubled Teen Industry => Topic started by: Oscar on August 07, 2010, 04:00:48 AM

Title: Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch - new entry on the wiki
Post by: Oscar on August 07, 2010, 04:00:48 AM
We are working on an article about Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch (http://http://wiki.fornits.com/index.php?title=Pinehaven_Christian_Children%27s_Ranch)

Some news:

February 2005 a man got sentenced to prison for the rape of two 15-year-old girls (http://http://leaderadvertiser.com/article_7c88a861-b044-5e98-86d2-0b90516bf007.html) while he was employed as a youth supervisor at the faciity

August 2010 4 teenagers ran away from the facility (http://http://www.olneydailymail.com/news/x84686190/Two-Olney-teens-among-ranch-runaways)
Title: Courts address three rape cases, one sexual assault
Post by: Ursus on August 08, 2010, 10:38:15 AM
Here's some earlier coverage about that rape case; the pertinent case discussed is the first one:

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Lake County Leader · (Polson, Montana)
Courts address three rape cases, one sexual assault (http://http://leaderadvertiser.com/article_6dc13861-6862-565c-a83d-21e2b06cc249.html)

Posted: Thursday, October 14, 2004 12:00 am | Updated: 1:57 pm, Thu Feb 18, 2010.
By Maggie Plummer · of the Leader

POLSON - District Judges C. B. McNeil and D. K. Christopher processed a total of 60 District Court cases last week, playing catch-up from some recent weeks when court sessions were not held.

Among those cases were three rape cases and a multiple sexual assault case involving a Polson man who had allegedly failed to register as a sex offender.

James Stanley Barnes, the 25-year-old Dixon man accused of having sex with two of his 15-year-old female students at the Pinehaven Christian School in St. Ignatius, changed his plea to guilty last Wednesday.

In a plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to two counts of felony sexual intercourse without consent.

Two felony counts of sexual assault are being dismissed, under the terms of the plea bargain.

His sentencing is set for Dec. 1.

According to court files, the defendant allegedly had sex with the two female victims on several occasions between October 2003 and May 2004.

The two teenage victims lived at the school. One of them is from Washington and the other is from Montana.

Barnes' plea agreement recommends that he be sentenced to 15 years in Montana State Prison.

For each felony count, the plea bargain calls for 35 years with 20 years suspended, with the sentences for each count to run concurrently.

The maximum penalty for two counts of felony sexual intercourse without consent is life in prison.

John Thomas Bigcrane, 28, of Ronan was sentenced to 20 years in the state prison for felony sexual intercourse without consent.

According to court files, during February 2003 the defendant allegedly had intercourse with a 15-year-old victim.

In sentencing Bigcrane, Judge McNeil specified that he will not be eligible for parole until he has completed three phases of the prison's sex offender treatment program.

Bigcrane must also pay $55 in court surcharges and a $100 public defender fee.

Scott Reum, 30, of Polson changed his plea to guilty of failing to register as a sex offender and three counts of felony sexual assault.

He is due to be sentenced Nov. 10.

According to a court affidavit, Reum was convicted of felony sexual assault in April 1993. After two probation violations, the defendant was sent to Montana State Prison in June 2000, and released on July 24, 2002.

He was last registered as a sex offender in the City of Kalispell on Dec. 19, 2002, court records state.

According to the court file, Reum moved back to Lake County in early 2003. According to police, he lived here for about a month and a half and had not registered himself as required by law.

Then, the court file states, a school counselor told county detectives that a five-year-old girl had approached the counselor with concerns about the defendant. The affidavit states that Reum admitted to police that he'd not registered here as a sex offender, and that on three occasions during March 2003 he had touched the girl in a sexual way.

Byron Alexander Johnson, 21, of Dayton pleaded not guilty to felony sexual intercourse without consent and was released on $3,000 bond.

According to the court file, Johnson allegedly had sex with a 13-year-old girl. The affidavit also says that the girl told the defendant that she was 17 years old.


© Copyright 2010, leaderadvertiser.com, Polson, MT.
Title: Dixon man sentenced to prison for raping girls
Post by: Ursus on August 08, 2010, 11:26:38 AM
Missoulian
Dixon man sentenced to prison for raping girls (http://http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/article_5868e2b1-6645-5d3d-a3a1-b5702c0250b6.html)
By JOHN STROMNES of the Missoulian | Posted: Thursday, January 27, 2005 12:00 am

POLSON – A Dixon man who raped two girls while he was working as a youth supervisor at Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch near St. Ignatius received a 10-year prison sentence Wednesday, with an additional 10 years suspended.

James Stanley Barnes, 26, held back tears as he told District Judge C.B. McNeil of his remorse.

"It was despicable and it was wrong. I regret it immensely. I ask the court to give me an opportunity to make amends for what I have done," Barnes said before the judge sentenced him on two felony counts of sexual intercourse without consent.

His wife and 2-year-old daughter were in the courtroom, and a minister and a former co-worker at the home for troubled teens testified that they were confident Barnes truly was remorseful and would not reoffend when he leaves prison.

His co-worker said Barnes was hired without receiving training and was unprepared for the stresses and temptations of the job.

His attorney, Ben Anciaux, said Barnes' wife would serve as a "watchdog" once Barnes gets out of prison, to make sure he complies with all 35 rules of probation written into the sentence.

The prosecutor, Chief Deputy County Attorney Mitch Young, sought a longer term – 15 years in prison, with an additional 20 years suspended, because Barnes took advantage of his position of authority and trust as a teacher at the school to entice the two teenage girls into having sex with him.

The state probation officer responsible for the presentence investigation recommended the lesser prison term. A sexual offender evaluation prepared by a psychologist also stated that Barnes was unlikely to reoffend.

The maximum sentence for sexual intercourse without consent is life in prison.

Barnes could be out of prison in as little as three years if he completes Phase 1 of the sexual offender treatment program in that time. He must continue sexual offender treatment once he leaves prison, the judge ordered.

Barnes must also pay all counseling and medical expenses related to his sexual liaisons with the teenagers. Both girls were under 16 years old when the crimes occurred. Juveniles under the age of 16 cannot legally give consent to having sex with adults.

Two additional felony charges of sexual assault were dismissed as a result of a plea agreement.

Barnes was fired from his job at Pinehaven after the victims made their allegations to investigators in May 2004. He was arrested May 6, pleaded not guilty in June, and changed his plea to guilty in October. A delay in sentencing occurred because the sexual offender evaluation had to be prepared. The offenses occurred in 2002 and 2003 while the girls were residents at the ranch in the foothills south of St. Ignatius.

Reporter John Stromnes can be reached at 1-800-366-7186 or [email protected]

Posted in State-and-regional on Thursday, January 27, 2005 12:00 am Updated: 7:47 am.


© Copyright 2010, missoulian.com, Missoula, MT
Title: Dixon man gets 10 years for rape
Post by: Ursus on August 08, 2010, 12:02:26 PM
Lake County Leader · (Polson, Montana)
Dixon man gets 10 years for rape (http://http://leaderadvertiser.com/article_7c88a861-b044-5e98-86d2-0b90516bf007.html)

Posted: Thursday, February 10, 2005 12:00 am | Updated: 1:59 pm, Thu Feb 18, 2010.
By Eric Baker · Leader Staff

James Stanley Barnes, 26, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Jan. 27 for the rape of two 15-year-old girls while he was employed as a youth supervisor at Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch near St. Ignatius.

Barnes, of Dixon, was given an additional 10 years suspended sentence by District Judge C.B. McNeil. Pinehaven fired Barnes after an investigation began in May, 2004.

Lake County Deputy Attorney Mitch Young sought a longer term for Barnes because he took advantage of his position as an authority figure to entice the teenagers to have sex. But the presentence investigation recommended a lighter term and the two 10-year sentences for Barnes are to run concurrently. A psychologist's evaluation said Barnes was unlikely to reoffend.

According to court documents, Barnes put his hand under the shirt of one girl and attempted to have intercourse with her, but she resisted. The defendant sexually assaulted her with his finger instead. Another victim said he put his hand under her shirt, and had sexual intercourse with her in the storage room of the school.

While the maximum sentence for rape is life in prison, Barnes could be out in three years if he completes Phase 1 of the sexual offender treatment program. He could then be considered for parole, and Phases 2 and 3 must be completed before he is released from the Montana State Prison system.

Barnes must also pay all medical bills and counseling expenses for the victims. He has 35 rules of probation written into his sentence, and if he violates only one, it would be grounds for a revoking his parole.

The legal age of consent for sex is 16 in Montana. Two felony sexual assault charges were dropped as part of the plea bargain.

The defendant had originally described his relationships as consensual, but afterward realized he was in a position of authority that affected his judgment.

Barnes is married and has a two-year-old daughter.


© Copyright 2010, leaderadvertiser.com, Polson, MT.
Title: "About Pinehaven" - pinehaven reform site
Post by: Ursus on August 08, 2010, 01:07:05 PM
About Pinehaven (http://http://pinehaven.wordpress.com/) — "The Official Site of Pinehaven Alumni for Change" — appears to have been created shortly after the sentencing of James Stanley Barnes for rape and devotes a couple of entries to that case. It also has some entries about program regulation in Montana, but then nothing more.

Here's what About Pinehaven has to say 'bout the James Barnes case:

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Our Response (http://http://pinehaven.wordpress.com/jim-barnes-news/official-statement-on-jim-barnes/)

Our official response in regarding the incidents surrounding the rape of 2 young girls at Pinehaven is as follows:

We are very sorry that someone wasn’t there standing in and protecting these children. That was supposed to be the job of the staff. That was the job of the directors and we believe they let down those two young girls. We strongly advocate change in Pinehaven in the following areas in response to these incidents. We are not going away. We believe that any organization needs to evaluate itself when people are hurt in this dramatic a way by a staff member, and relative of the Directors.

Our proposed changes:

1. Management of Pinehaven

We advocate a strong board of directors made up of former Alumni, Other church supporters, and representatives from First Christian Church,St Ignatius.

2. Hiring and Personnel Decisions

We believe that background checks should be mandatory for all current staff members, all future hires,and volunteers. We also believe that all future hires should be approved by proposed Board of Directors.

3. Resource Management

We believe that resources are often misallocated, misused, and misrepresented by current staff at Pinehaven and we believe in order to be responsible to the supporters of Pinehaven that we need to responsibly manage the funds brought into Pinehaven.


# #
Title: Re: Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch - MerchantCircle re
Post by: Ursus on August 08, 2010, 02:02:37 PM
Two "reviews" from MerchantCircle:

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Pinehaven Christian Childrens Ranch (http://http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Pinehaven.Christian.Childrens.Ranch.406-745-4628)
Saint Ignatius, MT 59865
406-745-4628

Member since April 2009.

Merchant Information

(http://http://media.merchantcircle.com/15522747/slide6_medium.jpeg)

Childrens Home

Customer Reviews

My Three years at PineHaven

Ryon Morgan in Prescott Valley, AZ[/list]
A GREAT PLACE TO BE!!!

Nancy and Don Noble in Louisville, KY[/list]
Title: 'Talk to me" on Merchant Circle
Post by: Ursus on August 08, 2010, 02:13:12 PM
'Talk to me' messages (http://http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Pinehaven.Christian.Childrens.Ranch.406-745-4628/shoutout/list) for Pinehaven Christian Childrens Ranch on MerchantCircle:

March 22, 2008 by Rick Cordier[/list]
http://www.pinehaven.net (http://www.pinehaven.net) If you have any questions please call the office at 745-4545
April 04, 2009 by Andy Larsson[/list]

I hope Rick and Sally weren't holding their breath for the answer to their question. It came more than a year later!  :D
Title: What is Pinehaven ?
Post by: Ursus on August 11, 2010, 11:04:00 PM
A coupla entries from the blog Standing in Corners (http://http://www.standingincorners.com/) (THE TRUTH ABOUT PINEHAVEN CHRISTIAN CHILDRENS RANCH)[/size]:


Btw, I believe that they are wrong about the founding date ... which, to my understanding, was at some time in 1976. However, IIRC, there was a big change as far as the schooling component of Pinehaven was concerned, and that may have occurred in 1984...

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What is Pinehaven ? (http://http://www.standingincorners.com/what-is-pinehaven/)
09. Jun, 2010 0 Comments

Pinehaven claims to be a residential, year-round program designed to help young people. It’s track record is far different however. It is a structured and controlled environment that has a history of child abuse. It was founded in 1984 by Bob Larsson and wife Nancy Larsson.

Pinehaven does no background checks on employees. Pinehaven has virtually no training process. Pinehaven has no residential counselors, or medical staff on site, and is not a licensed youth rehabilitation facility.


# #
Title: What is Child Abuse ?
Post by: Ursus on August 11, 2010, 11:11:11 PM
What is Child Abuse ? (http://http://www.standingincorners.com/what-is-child-abuse/)
09. Jun, 2010 0 Comments

Child Abuse is physical or psychological mistreatment of a child by its parents, guardians, or other adults. Child sexual abuse denotes sexual abuse of or sexual activity with children. Child sexual abuse is a criminal offense everywhere.

Not only does Pinehaven have a history of Child Abuse, it's done next to nothing to prevent that this occurs again.


# #
Title: 7 Reasons Not To Send Your Child To Pinehaven
Post by: Ursus on August 12, 2010, 05:15:41 PM
7 Reasons Not To Send Your Child To Pinehaven (http://http://www.standingincorners.com/7-reasons-not-to-send-your-child-to-pinehaven/)
09. Jun, 2010 8 Comments

1. No Oversight by Licensed Mental Healthcare Agency
2. History of Lack of Adequate Counseling for Children
3. Restricted Phone Privileges & Communication With Family Members
4. History of Non-Prosecuted, yet documented Child Abuse by Lead Houseparents
5. History of Prosecuted, and Documented Sexual Abuse as a result of poor hiring practices
6. History of Non-Prosecuted, yet documented Abuse of Disabled Students
7. Family Based Administration Refuses to do internal investigation of staff members


# #
Title: Responses to "7 Reasons Not To Send Your Child To Pinehaven"
Post by: Ursus on August 12, 2010, 05:39:46 PM
Responses (http://http://www.standingincorners.com/7-reasons-not-to-send-your-child-to-pinehaven/#comments) to "7 Reasons Not To Send Your Child To Pinehaven (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30905&p=373629#p373625)" (from the blog 'Standing In Corners'):


Tammy Ellis · 28. Jun, 2010 at 9:46 am
rhonda morris · 30. Jul, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Mary Holland · 04. Aug, 2010 at 4:48 pm
David Krug · 05. Aug, 2010 at 3:52 am
Anonymous · 05. Aug, 2010 at 4:53 pm
Robbi Stone · 05. Aug, 2010 at 10:09 pm
Conrad Schoreck · 05. Aug, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Jennifer Ornduff · 08. Aug, 2010 at 4:45 am


# #
Title: Re: Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch - new entry on the
Post by: Che Gookin on August 12, 2010, 08:03:57 PM
It seems that it is a shame that the god fearing men and women who make up the staff of Pinehaven will no longer be allowed to put down Jesus as a character reference on their applications.

What ever will they do?
Title: Re: Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch - new entry on the
Post by: Oscar on August 13, 2010, 06:29:07 AM
I just find it odd that we have missed the entry on our wiki for so long. They were a part of the legislation proces in Montana years back where a couple of residential treatment centers worked to create the highest ethical standards found in residential treatment centers in the U.S.

We should have digged in but fail to do that. I am sorry that this facility slipped under our surveillance system.
Title: Re: Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch - missing kids
Post by: Ursus on August 13, 2010, 11:28:15 AM
Quote from: "Oscar"
I just find it odd that we have missed the entry on our wiki for so long. They were a part of the legislation proces in Montana years back where a couple of residential treatment centers worked to create the highest ethical standards found in residential treatment centers in the U.S.
Ya have to wonder whether those same connections had anything to do with the news blackout in the wake of four kids going missing from Pinehaven in July. The first news that I have been able to find re. those missing kids was this comment left on a blog entry (above (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30905&p=373682#p373629)), color emphasis added:

rhonda morris · 30. Jul, 2010 at 5:29 pm
My son and another boy dissappeared from there on 7/16/10 thru my own investigation with no help or information from pinehaven i have since found out that 2 more minor boys went missing on 7/26/10. They are all listed missing with the montana state police, the initial report originating from the lake county sherriffs department. I want to find my son, or at least find out what happened to my son. And pinehaven is doing nothing and not sharing information that may be helpfull. How many children have dissappeared and how many more need to dissappear?[/list][/list][/size]
Absolutely nothing from the mainstream news media. Yet.
Title: Four Boys Missing From Pinehaven Since Mid July
Post by: Ursus on August 13, 2010, 11:34:26 AM
So... four kids missing from Pinehaven Christian Childrens' Ranch, and NO word on the news? This prompted David Krug, the man behind the 'Standing In Corners' blog (to which above noted comment was made), to post about the situation:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

Four Boys Missing From Pinehaven Since Mid July (http://http://www.standingincorners.com/four-boys-missing-from-pinehaven-since-mid-july/)
03. Aug, 2010 3 Comments

Since the middle of July a total of 4 boys ranging from 14 years old to 17 years old have literally vanished into thin air from the care of Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch (http://http://www.standingincorners.com/), with very little sign of them, and limited contact with any friends or loved ones.

3 of the 4 boys were under the care of Gary and Susan Henderson, whose house was left over capacity since 8 staff members have left in a mass exodus from Pinehaven that started in mid April.

Leadership at Pinehaven refused to comment on the issue of the staff exodus, the overcapacity issues, nor do they have any knowledge as to the current whereabouts of the boys. It appears the first two boys who ran away made it to Kalispel and had intentions of hitchhiking to Illinois.

Bob Larsson placed blame on the child's runaway on one of the parents who recently visited Pinehaven, and has been less than cooperative according to a parent of one of the runaways.

In my personal opinion the boys experienced a sense of desperation. The fact that 3 of the 4 boys came from the same household is a strong warning sign and HUGE red flag that should be addressed by staff.

Any information regarding the whearabouts of :

Cody Thompson
(http://http://www.doj.mt.gov/enforcement/missingpersons/image.aspx?key=DB29546FFF9968092C4BA69F8C98FF67&width=256)

Chance Salyers
(http://http://www.doj.mt.gov/enforcement/missingpersons/image.aspx?key=DB29546FFF996809DCAF351635D11A8F&width=256)

Thomas Morson
(http://http://www.doj.mt.gov/enforcement/missingpersons/image.aspx?key=DB29546FFF9968093795FAF18C8FBC01&width=256)

Adam Irvin
(http://http://www.doj.mt.gov/enforcement/missingpersons/image.aspx?key=DB29546FFF996809913B45A42322FC9B&width=256)

Any information regarding the missing boys should be made to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in Polson, Montana
(406) 883-7301


# #
Title: Responses to "Four Boys Missing From Pinehaven Since Mid Jul
Post by: Ursus on August 13, 2010, 12:06:31 PM
Responses (http://http://www.standingincorners.com/four-boys-missing-from-pinehaven-since-mid-july/#comments) left for the above blog entry, "Four Boys Missing From Pinehaven Since Mid July" (by David Krug; 03. Aug, 2010; 'Standing In Corners' blog):


lisa whatley · 05. Aug, 2010 at 4:23 pm
William Miller · 06. Aug, 2010 at 3:01 am


# #
Title: Re: Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch - new entry on the
Post by: Pile of Dead Kids on August 13, 2010, 01:19:54 PM
Ursus, when posting articles about runaways from programs, please try not to include information that might lead to someone actually finding them, such as faces.
Title: Police: Three Valley Teens Missing In Montana
Post by: Ursus on August 13, 2010, 03:39:42 PM
Whether or not this may have been coincidental, after David Krug posted the above blog entry (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30905#p373683), the mainstream news media finally began covering these missing kids cases.

Video news coverage at the link below:

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MyWabashValley.com
Police: Three Valley Teens Missing In Montana (http://http://mywabashvalley.com/fulltext?nxd_id=136555)
Reported by: Patrick Fazio & David Shepherd
Aug 4, 2010?

Three Valley teens are missing from the Pinehaven Christian Children’s Ranch in Montana, police sources confirmed late Wednesday night.

The teens have been identified as 14-year-old Cody Thompson and 16-year-old Chace Salyers of Olney, IL and 15-year-old Thom Morson of Terre Haute, IN.  Police also say 17-year-old Adam Irving from Normal, IL is also missing.  

Police are considering the teens runaways.  The same police sources say the Pinehaven Christian Children’s Ranch is a place for troubled teens.

If you have any information about where these teens may be, you are urged to call the Lake County, Montana Sheriff's Department at (406) 883 - 7301.

We are continuing to follow this developing story and will pass details along as they come in.


Copyright (c) 1998 - 2010 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.
Title: 4 Valley teens missing in Montana
Post by: Ursus on August 14, 2010, 02:28:47 PM
Rhonda Morris would be the mum who first posted (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30905&p=373682#p373682) about the kids missing from Pinehaven on David Krug's blog entry (above (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30905#p373629)).

Video news coverage at the link...

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

WTHITV.com · [Terre Haute, Indiana]
4 Valley teens missing in Montana (http://http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/missing-kids)

Updated: Saturday, 07 Aug 2010, 10:03 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 04 Aug 2010, 10:17 PM EDT

Kate Greene

(http://http://media2.wthitv.com//photo/2010/08/04/MISSING_KIDS-PKG_20100804233153_3_320_240.JPG)

(http://http://media2.wthitv.com//photo/2010/08/04/MISSING_TEENS_20100804221053_320_240.JPG)
Chance Salyers with his mother Rhonda Morris. File Photo

OLNEY, Ill. (WTHI) - Four teens go missing from a Montana ranch, three of which are from the Wabash valley.

Sixteen-year old Chance Salyers of Olney, Illinois, 14-year-old Cody Thompson of Olney, Illinois, 15-year-old Thom Morson of Terre Haute and 17-year-old Adam Irwin of Normal, Illinois are all on the Missing Persons database of Montana.

All four boys recently ran away from the Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch in Montana; a place for troubled teens.

"I just want him to call mom and I'll come get him because I love him," Chance Salyers' mother Rhonda Morris said.

Rhonda Morris visited her 16-year-old son, Chance just one week before he disappeared.

Chance was court ordered to Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch last year.

Morris said Chance seemed to be doing well.

"Then a week later I get a call and he's gone, it kind of blind-sided me to be honest," Morris said.

On July 15th, Chance Salyers and 17-year-old Adam Irwin ran away from the church camp, which is located 65 miles north of the ranch in Montana.

Then just 11 days later, two more boys ran away from the ranch, 14-year-old Cody Thompson of Olney and 15-year-old Thom Morson of Terre Haute.

Pinehaven owner Bob Larsson said officials at the ranch and police are doing everything they can to help bring the boys back.

"Our people mobilized and went and searched for them to see if they could find them and we were unable to locate them," Pinehaven owner Bob Larsson said.

Morris is unable to figure out why her son ran away.

"Whether it was a justified reason or whether it was teenage hormones and stupidity, I don't know," Morris said.

However, after the teens went missing old allegations of child abuse from a past Pinehaven resident re-surfaced. A two month investigation was conducted earlier this spring by the Lake County Sheriff's Department. The report showed no evidence to support the child abuse claim.

Whatever the reason for running, a week has passed and Cody Thompson and Thom Morson remain missing.

Adam Irwin was caught by police in Kalispell, Montana on Tuesday, but Police said on their way to juvenile court Irwin took off, again.

As for Chance Salyers, 3 weeks have gone by and still no word.

News 10 spoke with Cody Thompson's mother Lorraine, who is in Montana searching for her son.

She said she did notice a change in his demeanor shortly before he ran away. She said he recently found out he may be staying at the ranch until he graduates, something she said he wasn't expecting.

If you have any information of the whereabouts of these four boys call the Lake County Sheriff's Department in Montana at 406-883-73-01.


All content © Copyright 2000 - 2010 LIN Television Corporation.
Title: Comments for "4 Valley teens missing in Montana"
Post by: Ursus on August 17, 2010, 01:03:02 AM
Comments (http://http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/missing-kids) left for the above article, "4 Valley teens missing in Montana (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30905&p=374012#p373758)" (by Kate Greene, 04 Aug 2010, WTHItv.com):


bigmamatat 0p  · 1 week ago
angelic82 2p  · 1 week ago
[/list]
JamesPMason 60p  · 1 week ago
CrowWoman 42p  · 1 week ago
anonymous1709 23p  · 1 week ago
[email protected] (http://mailto:[email protected]). Please call or email me with any questions or comments. Thank you[/list]
CrowWoman 42p  · 1 week ago
[/list][/list]
CrowWoman 42p  · 1 week ago
ForCody 2p  · 1 week ago
[/list]
Qhoeleth 20p  · 1 week ago
OBVIOUSTRUTH 40p  · 1 week ago
anonymous1709 23p  · 1 week ago
anonymous1709 23p  · 1 week ago
anonymous1709 23p  · 1 week ago
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JamesPMason 60p  · 2 days ago
JamesPMason 60p  · 2 days ago
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CrowWoman 42p  · 1 week ago
CrowWoman 42p  · 1 week ago
angelic82 2p  · 1 week ago
emeek75 1p  · 1 week ago
David 49p  · 1 week ago
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49217397043.. (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49217397043..).[/list][/list]
saxsellers 1p  · 1 week ago
larrywanders 62p  · 1 week ago
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/StopPinehav.. (http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/StopPinehav..).

Even more interesting is the complete lack of any local (Montana) news coverage of the boys disappearing from Pinehaven. It's as if they never existed, not even Pinehaven Ranch is to be found in a local archive search. Most Strange.[/list]
David 49p  · 1 week ago
[/list]
irwincpa 1p  · 1 week ago
southernillimom 2p  · 1 week ago
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Qhoeleth 20p  · 1 week ago


All content © Copyright 2000 - 2010 LIN Television Corporation.
Title: Wabash Valley Teens Missing From Montana Youth Ranch
Post by: Ursus on August 17, 2010, 02:24:17 PM
WIBQ 98.5fm TERRE HAUTE'S NEWS TALK
Wabash Valley Teens Missing From Montana Youth Ranch (http://http://www.wibqfm.com/news/articles/2010/aug/05/wabash-valley-teens-missing-montana-youth-ranch/)
Posted Thursday August 5, 2010 1 week, 5 days ago

ST IGNATIUS, MT (WIBQ) - Authorities in Montana continue to look for 4 teen age boys, including 3 from the Wabash Valley, who ran away from Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch; a place for troubled teens. Sixteen-year old Chance Salyers and 14-year-old Cody Thompson, both of Olney, Illinois, 15-year-old Thom Morson of Terre Haute and 17-year-old Adam Irvin of Normal, Illinois all went missing on various days in the last month. After the teens went missing previous allegations of child abuse from a Pinehaven resident re-surfaced.

The Lake County Sheriff's Department conducted an investigation earlier this year but, no evidence to support the child abuse claim was found. Anyone with information on the location of the 4 missing boys can call the Lake County Sheriff's Department in Montana at 406-883-7301.


© 2010 WIBQ
Title: Two Olney teens among ranch runaways
Post by: Ursus on August 18, 2010, 01:14:36 PM
Olney Daily Mail
Two Olney teens among ranch runaways (http://http://www.olneydailymail.com/news/x84686190/Two-Olney-teens-among-ranch-runaways)

WTHI
Posted Aug 05, 2010 @ 01:10 PM
Olney, Ill. —

Four teenagers, including two Olney residents, are missing after recently running away from a Montana facility for troubled youth, television station WTHI reported Wednesday.

Sixteen-year old Chance Salyers, of Olney, 14-year-old Cody Thompson, of Olney, 15-year-old Thom Morson, of Terre Haute, and 17-year-old Adam Irvin, of Normal, Illinois are all on the missing persons database of Montana after recently running away from the Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch in Montana, a facility for troubled teens.

"I just want him to call mom and I'll come get him because I love him," said Chance Salyers' mother, Rhonda Morris.

Rhonda Morris visited her 16-year-old son, Chance just one week before he disappeared.

Salyers was court ordered to Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch last year.

Morris said he seemed to be doing well.

"Then a week later I get a call and he's gone, it kind of blind-sided me to be honest," Morris said.

On July 15, Salyers and 17-year-old Adam Irvin ran away from the church camp, which is located 65 miles north of the ranch in Montana.

Eleven days later, Thompson and Morson ran away from the ranch.

Pinehaven owner Bob Larsson said officials at the ranch and police are doing everything they can to help bring the boys back.

"Our people mobilized and went and searched for them to see if they could find them and we were unable to locate them," Larsson said.

Morris is unable to figure out why her son ran away.

"Whether it was a justified reason or whether it was teenage hormones and stupidity, I don't know," Morris said.

However, after the teens went missing old allegations of child abuse from a past Pinehaven resident re-surfaced.

A two-month investigation was conducted earlier this spring by Lake County Sheriff's Department.

The report showed no evidence to support the child abuse claim.

Whatever the reason for running, a week has passed and Thompson and Morson remain missing.

Irvin was caught by police in Kalispell, Montana, on Tuesday, but police said on their way to juvenile court Irvin escaped.

Salyers has not been heard from in three weeks.

Cody Thompson's mother Lorraine, who is in Montana searching for her son, said she noticed a change in his demeanor shortly before he ran away. She said he recently found out he may be staying at the ranch until he graduates, something she said he wasn't expecting.

Any information of the whereabouts of the four boys should be directed to Lake County Sheriff's Department in Montana, (406) 883-7301.

WTHI

 
Copyright 2010 Olney Daily Mail.
Title: Mother searches for teen missing in MT
Post by: Ursus on September 12, 2010, 09:26:43 PM
Video news coverage at the link...

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WTHITV.com · [Terre Haute, Indiana]
Mother searches for teen missing in MT (http://http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/missing-teens-update)

Updated: Saturday, 07 Aug 2010, 10:04 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 06 Aug 2010, 8:00 PM EDT

Kate Greene

(http://http://media2.wthitv.com//photo/2010/08/06/Missing_Teens_update729de581-5f8f-4270-b2d0-5fdb2e26ba180000_20100806231714_320_240.JPG)

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Three Wabash Valley teens remain missing in Montana

On July 15th, two teenagers from Olney and Normal, Illinois ran away from a children's ranch for troubled teens in Montana.

Just 10 days later, two more boys took off, another boy from Olney and one from Terre Haute.

Now another mother speaks out as her son remains missing.

Sixteen-year-old Chance Salyers, 14-year-old Cody Thompson both of Olney Illinois, 15-year-old Thom Morson of Terre Haute, and 17-year-old Adam Irwin of Normal Illinois all lived at Pinehaven Children's Christian Ranch in Montana.

News 10 learned Adam Irwin of Normal, Illinois was caught by police on Wednesday in Kalispell, Montana several miles north of where he and Chance Salyers ran away during a camping trip.

However, police said shortly after they caught Irvin, he took off again on his way to juvenile court.

On Friday, News 10 also discovered Irwin is no longer on the missing person's database of Montana. After numerous calls to several police departments officials said no arrest has been made on Irvin.

While it's unclear why Irvin is off the list, the three other Wabash Valley boys remain on the missing person's website.

Cody Thompson's mother Laraine Cornwell of Olney, Illinois is in Montana searching for answers.

She said Cody was dealing with a lot of changes at the ranch before he went missing.

"He moved from one house to another and he got told he was going to stay another four years," Thompson's mother Laraine Cornwell said. "That's the only reason why I think Cody left ."

Ever since the boys went missing, more questions have been raised about how Pinehaven treats the children and how the facility is run.

A CBS affiliate station in Missoula, Montana talked to a former Pinehaven resident who said the ranch is very strict.

"You talk to your parents 15 minutes a week and a lot of times your house parent is listening on the phone to what you're discussing so you can't talk about everything you want to talk about," former Pinehaven resident Jackie Ganhon said. "A kid can not tell their parents if they want to come home or what's really happening "

It's important to note that in Montana it is not illegal for juveniles to run away.

Lake County Sheriff's Department told News 10 that children have run away before from Pinehaven, but usually come back within that day or two. Officials said the children are never gone for this long.


All content © Copyright 2000 - 2010 LIN Television Corporation.
Title: Re: Mother searches for teen missing in MT
Post by: DannyB II on September 12, 2010, 09:40:05 PM
Quote from: "Ursus"
Video news coverage at the link...

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

Mother searches for teen missing in MT (http://http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/missing-teens-update)

Updated: Saturday, 07 Aug 2010, 10:04 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 06 Aug 2010, 8:00 PM EDT

Kate Greene

(http://http://media2.wthitv.com//photo/2010/08/06/Missing_Teens_update729de581-5f8f-4270-b2d0-5fdb2e26ba180000_20100806231714_320_240.JPG)

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Three Wabash Valley teens remain missing in Montana

On July 15th, two teenagers from Olney and Normal, Illinois ran away from a children's ranch for troubled teens in Montana.

Just 10 days later, two more boys took off, another boy from Olney and one from Terre Haute.

Now another mother speaks out as her son remains missing.

Sixteen-year-old Chance Salyers, 14-year-old Cody Thompson both of Olney Illinois, 15-year-old Thom Morson of Terre Haute, and 17-year-old Adam Irwin of Normal Illinois all lived at Pinehaven Children's Christian Ranch in Montana.

News 10 learned Adam Irwin of Normal, Illinois was caught by police on Wednesday in Kalispell, Montana several miles north of where he and Chance Salyers ran away during a camping trip.

However, police said shortly after they caught Irvin, he took off again on his way to juvenile court.

On Friday, News 10 also discovered Irwin is no longer on the missing person's database of Montana. After numerous calls to several police departments officials said no arrest has been made on Irvin.

While it's unclear why Irvin is off the list, the three other Wabash Valley boys remain on the missing person's website.

Cody Thompson's mother Laraine Cornwell of Olney, Illinois is in Montana searching for answers.

She said Cody was dealing with a lot of changes at the ranch before he went missing.

"He moved from one house to another and he got told he was going to stay another four years," Thompson's mother Laraine Cornwell said. "That's the only reason why I think Cody left ."

Well no kidding if I was told I was going to held as a teenager for four years anywhere I would run or try some other drastic action. What in gods name is wrong with his mother.
The only time I have seen adolescence held for 4-5 years was lack of parents, guardian, foster care, or they were a special case, psychotic or seriously mentally challenged.
This sounds so reminiscent of my situation only my parents spread it out over several different programs/institutions. My parents had already raised 6 kids before my little sister and me, so they were wore out, so putting the both of us in treatment centers for years was their solution to bad parenting skills or so my Dad said.



Ever since the boys went missing, more questions have been raised about how Pinehaven treats the children and how the facility is run.

A CBS affiliate station in Missoula, Montana talked to a former Pinehaven resident who said the ranch is very strict.

"You talk to your parents 15 minutes a week and a lot of times your house parent is listening on the phone to what you're discussing so you can't talk about everything you want to talk about," former Pinehaven resident Jackie Ganhon said. "A kid can not tell their parents if they want to come home or what's really happening "

It's important to note that in Montana it is not illegal for juveniles to run away.

Lake County Sheriff's Department told News 10 that children have run away before from Pinehaven, but usually come back within that day or two. Officials said the children are never gone for this long.


All content © Copyright 2000 - 2010 LIN Television Corporation.
Title: Re: Mother searches for teen missing in MT
Post by: Ursus on September 12, 2010, 10:05:14 PM
Quote from: "DannyB II"
Quote from: "Kate Greene of WTHItv.com"
Cody Thompson's mother Laraine Cornwell of Olney, Illinois is in Montana searching for answers.

She said Cody was dealing with a lot of changes at the ranch before he went missing.

"He moved from one house to another and he got told he was going to stay another four years," Thompson's mother Laraine Cornwell said. "That's the only reason why I think Cody left ."
Well no kidding if I was told I was going to held as a teenager for four years anywhere I would run or try some other drastic action. What in gods name is wrong with his mother.
The only time I have seen adolescence held for 4-5 years was lack of parents, guardian, foster care, or they were a special case, psychotic or seriously mentally challenged.
This sounds so reminiscent of my situation only my parents spread it out over several different programs/institutions. My parents had already raised 6 kids before my little sister and me, so they were wore out, so putting the both of us in treatment centers for years was their solution to bad parenting skills or so my Dad said.
It would appear that Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch tries to hold on to their charges as long as possible. Not exactly unheard of in this industry...
Title: Comments for "Mother searches for teen missing in MT"
Post by: Ursus on September 13, 2010, 10:31:12 AM
These comments appear to have been heavily moderated. Compared to what I had previously copied (just the first few below), the earlier comment by David now currently reads as "This comment has been deleted by the administrator." The second comment by him, as well as the one by larrywanders, is now missing entirely.

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Comments (http://http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/missing-teens-update) left for the above article, "Mother searches for teen missing in MT (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30905&p=378730#p378685)" (by Kate Greene, 06 Aug 2010, WTHItv.com):


ashley_kees 33p  · 5 weeks ago
David 49p  · 5 weeks ago
kenpscott 3p  · 4 weeks ago
[/list]
larrywanders 61p  · 5 weeks ago
This comment has been deleted by the user.[/list]
David 49p  · 5 weeks ago
[/list]
anonymous1709 23p  · 5 weeks ago
jkatie 27p  · 4 weeks ago
kenpscott 3p  · 4 weeks ago
snow_angel2006 1p  · 4 weeks ago
kenpscott 3p  · 4 weeks ago
[/list][/list]
kenpscott 3p  · 4 weeks ago
Neet94 1p  · 4 weeks ago


All content © Copyright 2000 - 2010 LIN Television Corporation.
Title: One of the missing Pinehaven teens found alive...
Post by: Ursus on September 14, 2010, 12:30:48 PM
Video news coverage at the link...

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WTHITV.com
One of the missing Pinehaven teens found alive and is at home with family (http://http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/illinois/one-of-the-missing-pinehaven-teens-found)

Updated: Saturday, 07 Aug 2010, 11:20 PM EDT
Published : Saturday, 07 Aug 2010, 7:08 PM EDT

Tom Brodbeck

(http://http://media2.wthitv.com//photo/2010/08/07/adam_irvin_20100807190502_320_240.JPEG)
Adam Irwin

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - According to Bob Larsson, the director of Pinehaven Children's Christian Ranch in Montana, one of the missing teens from the Pinehaven ranch, Adam Irwin, has been found alive and is at home with his family in Normal, Illinois. News 10 has also contacted the family and they say he is at home with family.

Larsson said that Irwin was found by the Kallispel Police and was returned to Pinehaven for one night and was then flown back home the next day.

Irwin was originally caught by police on Wednesday in Kalispell, Montana, several miles north of where he ran away during a camping trip.

However, police said shortly after they caught Irwin, he took off again on his way to juvenile court.

When Irwin was asked why he ran away, Larsson said that he said he was “homesick.”

News 10 will keep you up to date on the other missing teens from the Ranch.


All content © Copyright 2000 - 2010 LIN Television Corporation.
Title: Comments: "One of the missing Pinehaven teens found..."
Post by: Ursus on September 14, 2010, 12:35:46 PM
Comments (http://http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/illinois/one-of-the-missing-pinehaven-teens-found) left for the above article, "One of the missing Pinehaven teens found alive and is at home with family (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30905&p=379003#p379000)" (by Tom Brodbeck, 07 Aug 2010, WTHItv.com):


Qhoeleth 20p  · 5 weeks ago
jkatie 27p  · 4 weeks ago
anonymous1709 23p  · 4 weeks ago
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid.. (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid..).
that way you can get the whole story... Not just a slideshow of children who were threatened the loss of contact with their family if they didn't smile... please join our discussion... I would like to hear your thoughts and would be more than happy to answer any questions...[/list]
jkatie 27p  · 4 weeks ago
anonymous1709 23p  · 4 weeks ago
jkatie 27p  · 4 weeks ago
anonymous1709 23p  · 4 weeks ago
[/list][/list]
anonymous1709 23p  · 4 weeks ago
anonymous1709 23p  · 4 weeks ago
[/list][/list][/list][/list]


All content © Copyright 2000 - 2010 LIN Television Corporation.
Title: Missing Olney teen found in Montana
Post by: Ursus on September 14, 2010, 11:58:55 PM
News 10 also spoke with Salyers himself on the phone. He said he was homesick, but that there were other reasons for leaving. He said he didn't want to comment until he talks to his mom about everything.[/list]
I can only imagine what those "other reasons" might be...  

Two pieces of video news footage at the link:

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WTHITV.com · [Terre Haute, Indiana]
Missing Olney teen found in Montana (http://http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/illinois/missing-olney-teen-found-in-montana)
Wabash Valley teens runaway from Pinehaven

Updated: Tuesday, 10 Aug 2010, 11:48 PM EDT
Published : Tuesday, 10 Aug 2010, 5:13 PM EDT

Kate Greene

(http://http://media2.wthitv.com//photo/2010/08/04/MISSING_TEENS_20100804221053_320_240.JPG)

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - News 10 has just learned that 16-year-old Chance Salyers of Olney, Illinois is now with his mother Rhonda Morris in Montana.

Morris spoke with News 10 via the phone on Tuesday and said Salyers called her to come pick him up in Kalispell, Montana.

News 10 also spoke with Salyers himself on the phone. He said he was homesick, but that there were other reasons for leaving. He said he didn't want to comment until he talks to his mom about everything.

This comes just a few days after 17-year-old Adam Irwin was caught by police in Kalispell.

Both boys had been living at Pinehaven Children's Christian Ranch in St. Ignatius, Montana for about a year. It's a ranch for troubled teens.

Irwin and Salyers ran off from a camp site 65 miles north of the ranch on July 15.

News 10 spoke with Irwin's grandfather Douglas Irwin who said the ranch is doing good things for teens. Irwin said Adam claimed he was homesick and that's the reason he left.

"Most of time I thought he was really happy out there, at least his comments sure was," Adam Irwin's grandfather Douglas Irwin said. "In some ways he would like to be back there but in other ways he's very glad to be home."

The other two Wabash Valley teens,14-year-old Cody Thompson of Olney, Illinois and 15 year-old Thom Morson of Terre Haute remain missing. They ran away together from the ranch on July 26.

News 10 asked Chance Salyers if he had seen either boy or knew of their whereabouts. He said he did look for the boys in Kalispell once he heard they went missing, but never saw them.


All content © Copyright 2000 - 2010 LIN Television Corporation.
Title: Last two missing teens found in Montana
Post by: Ursus on September 15, 2010, 10:52:06 AM
Video news footage at the link...

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WTHITV.com · [Terre Haute, Indiana]
Last two missing teens found in Montana (http://http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/two-missing-teens-found)
Valley teens went missing from Pinehaven ranch

Updated: Tuesday, 17 Aug 2010, 2:37 PM EDT
Published : Monday, 16 Aug 2010, 2:51 PM EDT

Kate Greene

(http://http://media2.wthitv.com//photo/2010/08/16/THOMPSONMORSON_20100816144807_320_240.JPG)

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Fourteen-year-old Cody Thompson of Olney, Illinois and 15-year-old Thom Morson of Terre Haute were both found in Missoula, Montana.

Both boys went missing on July 26 in St. Ignatius, Montana at the Pinehaven Children's Christian Ranch for troubled teens.

Thompson and Morson were found after Thompson's mother Laraine Cornwell put flyers of her missing son in Montana. Cornwell told News 10 her prayers were answered when someone recognized his picture.

"I got a call from a lady later that morning and she said I know where your son is," Laraine Cornwell said.

Cody Thompson now sits with his mother, happy to be back home in Olney, Illinois. However, he said when he and Thom took off from Pinehaven ranch he was feeling very differently.

"That day, we were pretty depressed," Cody Thompson said.

Thompson and Morson ran away just 10 days after two other teens 16-year-old Chance Salyers of Olney, Illinois and 17-year-old Adam Irvin ran of Normal, Illinois way from a church camp about 65 miles north of the ranch on July 15. Salyers and Irvin were found in Kalispell, Montana last week.

What made Thompson run away?

Ever since News 10 aired the story about 4 Wabash Valley boys leaving Pinehaven, allegations of child abuse came into our newsroom and on social networking sites.

Thompson said he was never physically abused and never witnessed it, but he did hear about it.

"I heard about a bunch of stories about house kids having fist fights with their house parents," Thompson said. "As he was telling me, my house brothers tell me they saw it."

As for Thompson, he said Pinehaven was hard work, but it was more emotionall draining.

"It was hard because everyday I had to wake up and call someone else mom and dad," Thompson said. "I was told to call them mom and dad, I didn't have a choice, it was depressing."

Thompson said he did learn things from Pinehaven.

"I learned how to be respectful, and treat people right and change my ways and learn about God," Thompson said.

Thompson goes to court on Friday for violating probation. According to his mother, staying at Pinehaven was part of his court order.

His mother, Laraine said she wants to see that Pinehaven is regulated by the state.

According to Montana state law, alternative schools with a religious affiliate, like Pinehaven, are not monitored by the state.

As of right now, News 10 has been told none of the boys will return to the ranch.

To read a letter from Thom Morson's grandfather about Pinehaven, click here (http://http://media2.wthitv.com/pdf_files/10/08/Barbour.pdf).


All content © Copyright 2000 - 2010 LIN Television Corporation.
Title: letter from Thom Morson's grandfather re. Pinehaven
Post by: Ursus on September 15, 2010, 11:11:11 AM
Here's that letter (http://http://media2.wthitv.com/pdf_files/10/08/Barbour.pdf) from Thom Morson's grandfather about Pinehaven, mentioned at the very end of the just above article, "Last two missing teens found in Montana (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30905&start=15#p379182)":

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This is in regards to the 4 missing boys at Pinehaven. I am Tom Morsons grandfather and I would like to give my opinion on Pinehaven and the work that they do for so many kids.

Friday we received a call from the Vigo County Juvenile Detention Center telling us that Tom was there, he had been picked up here in Terre Haute and they had him there. About a 30 minutes before that Pinehaven contacted us and told us that Tom had been found and that he was well and that he had been picked up here in Terre Haute.

I have been watching the news and reading all the facebook comments about the 4 boys and all the negative things that have been said about Pinehaven and the people who run it, people like Bob Larson.

Bob gave Tom a chance to go to Pinehaven and keep him out of trouble and learn to control his temper and stop running away from life. This wasn't the first time that Tom has run away, he ran away from home several times and even ran away from a children's home.

He wasn't happy with staying any where if someone would put a bug in his ear and convince him to run. He had a chance to change things by going to Pinehaven, a chance that he agreed to before he went out there.

We had to fill out an application and submit it and then wait for an opening before he would be considered. We were sent an agreement that Tom had to sign before he was allowed to go there. It was a list of what was done at Pinehaven. He had to agree not to run away, to participate in religious activities, not to steal, use profanity, lie.

That he give Pinehaven staff to examine his possessions, including all mail,giving them the right to discipline him as they think necessary to help guide and protect him.

Privileges were to earned as he gained the respect and trust of Pinehaven staff. It told you about phone calls, the length of the call as well as the amounts of phone calls you were allowed.

They told him about their schooling that he would attend, mail and visits, there wasn't to be any mentioned the length of time any person was to be there, that was determined as the kids progressed towards there goals.

So as you can see there was a lot of information given in this agreement and if you didn't think or want to comply with these rules, you didn't sign the agreement and you would not be accepted to go there. The house parents helped with any questions that might come up over time as well as Bob Larson and the rest of the staff.

Tom told us that he started out slowly getting used to it, but later after learning the way things were run and what was expected of him he said he really liked being there. We visited Tom the last of June and he seemed to be doing well, he was with us for a week visiting various places in Montana before we returned him to Pinehaven and he acted like he was glad to get back.  

Three weeks later he ran, and we still don't know why. When the police picked him up and took him to the juvenile facility he said that he and Cody had hitched rides from various people to get back home, we heard that he and Cody were given a bus ticket by one of the parents to get home, that sounds more likely doesn't it.                                                          

Title: Re: letter from Thom Morson's grandfather re. Pinehaven
Post by: Anne Bonney on September 15, 2010, 11:55:17 AM
My emphasis in red, my comments in blue.


Quote from: "Ursus"
Here's that letter (http://http://media2.wthitv.com/pdf_files/10/08/Barbour.pdf) from Thom Morson's grandfather about Pinehaven, mentioned at the very end of the just above article, "Last two missing teens found in Montana (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30905&start=15#p379182)":

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

This is in regards to the 4 missing boys at Pinehaven. I am Tom Morsons grandfather and I would like to give my opinion on Pinehaven and the work that they do for so many kids.

Friday we received a call from the Vigo County Juvenile Detention Center telling us that Tom was there, he had been picked up here in Terre Haute and they had him there. About a 30 minutes before that Pinehaven contacted us and told us that Tom had been found and that he was well and that he had been picked up here in Terre Haute.

I have been watching the news and reading all the facebook comments about the 4 boys and all the negative things that have been said about Pinehaven and the people who run it, people like Bob Larson.

Bob gave Tom a chance to go to Pinehaven and keep him out of trouble and learn to control his temper and stop running away from life. This wasn't the first time that Tom has run away, he ran away from home several times and even ran away from a children's home.

He wasn't happy with staying any where if someone would put a bug in his ear and convince him to run. He had a chance to change things by going to Pinehaven, a chance that he agreed to before he went out there.   ( I wonder how much of a choice he really had?  I mean, what would his parents have done had he not agreed to these things, thus making him ineligible to attend?)

We had to fill out an application and submit it and then wait for an opening before he would be considered. We were sent an agreement that Tom had to sign before he was allowed to go there. It was a list of what was done at Pinehaven. He had to agree not to run away, to participate in religious activities, not to steal, use profanity, lie. ( I wonder how much of a choice he really had?  I mean, what would his parents have done had he not agreed to these things, thus making him ineligible to attend?)

That he give Pinehaven staff to examine his possessions, including all mail,giving them the right to discipline him as they think necessary to help guide and protect him.  (the "discipline him as they think necessary" bit scares me, especially when it comes to the fundie camps.  And no, I'm not saying that kids don't need discipline....of course they do but we've all seen how quickly "discipline" in these places can get out of hand and the sometimes deadly consequences)

Privileges were to earned as he gained the respect and trust of Pinehaven staff. It told you about phone calls, the length of the call as well as the amounts of phone calls you were allowed.

They told him about their schooling that he would attend, mail and visits, there wasn't to be any mentioned the length of time any person was to be there, that was determined as the kids progressed towards there goals.

So as you can see there was a lot of information given in this agreement and if you didn't think or want to comply with these rules, you didn't sign the agreement and you would not be accepted to go there. The house parents helped with any questions that might come up over time as well as Bob Larson and the rest of the staff.

Tom told us that he started out slowly getting used to it, but later after learning the way things were run and what was expected of him he said he really liked being there. We visited Tom the last of June and he seemed to be doing well, he was with us for a week visiting various places in Montana before we returned him to Pinehaven and he acted like he was glad to get back.  

Three weeks later he ran, and we still don't know why. When the police picked him up and took him to the juvenile facility he said that he and Cody had hitched rides from various people to get back home, we heard that he and Cody were given a bus ticket by one of the parents to get home, that sounds more likely doesn't it.                                                          

      Jerry Barbour
      Terre Haute, IN.
Title: Re: letter from Thom Morson's grandfather re. Pinehaven
Post by: Ursus on September 15, 2010, 11:49:37 PM
Quote from: "Anne Bonney"
My emphasis in red, my comments in blue.
Quote from: "Jerry Barbour (Thom Morson's grandfather)"
He wasn't happy with staying any where if someone would put a bug in his ear and convince him to run. He had a chance to change things by going to Pinehaven, a chance that he agreed to before he went out there.   ( I wonder how much of a choice he really had?  I mean, what would his parents have done had he not agreed to these things, thus making him ineligible to attend?)

We had to fill out an application and submit it and then wait for an opening before he would be considered. We were sent an agreement that Tom had to sign before he was allowed to go there. It was a list of what was done at Pinehaven. He had to agree not to run away, to participate in religious activities, not to steal, use profanity, lie. ( I wonder how much of a choice he really had?  I mean, what would his parents have done had he not agreed to these things, thus making him ineligible to attend?)
For some of those kids, the alternative placement was jail. So... they're court-ordered. For them there is, effectively, no choice. What are you gonna do? Not sign a paper that says "I will not runaway" ... before you even know what it is you might run away from? Don't forget, Thom Morson is 15 years old.

Quote from: "Jerry Barbour (Thom Morson's grandfather)"
That he give Pinehaven staff to examine his possessions, including all mail,giving them the right to discipline him as they think necessary to help guide and protect him.  (the "discipline him as they think necessary" bit scares me, especially when it comes to the fundie camps.  And no, I'm not saying that kids don't need discipline....of course they do but we've all seen how quickly "discipline" in these places can get out of hand and the sometimes deadly consequences)
I have a feeling that the family and "inner circle" that run Pinehaven are quite cozy with the local law enforcement and political goombahs...
Title: Re: letter from Thom Morson's grandfather re. Pinehaven
Post by: Anne Bonney on September 16, 2010, 11:53:11 AM
Quote from: "Ursus"
For some of those kids, the alternative placement was jail. So... they're court-ordered. For them there is, effectively, no choice. What are you gonna do? Not sign a paper that says "I will not runaway" ... before you even know what it is you might run away from? Don't forget, Thom Morson is 15 years old.

Oh no doubt.  That's what I was trying (and apparently failing  :P ) to say. That I doubt very much the kid had any true choice in the matter.

Quote
I have a feeling that the family and "inner circle" that run Pinehaven are quite cozy with the local law enforcement and political goombahs...

Sounds like Straight.  Again.
Title: Re: letter from Thom Morson's grandfather re. Pinehaven
Post by: Ursus on September 17, 2010, 12:58:20 PM
Quote from: "Anne Bonney"
Quote from: "Ursus"
For some of those kids, the alternative placement was jail. So... they're court-ordered. For them there is, effectively, no choice. What are you gonna do? Not sign a paper that says "I will not runaway" ... before you even know what it is you might run away from? Don't forget, Thom Morson is 15 years old.
Oh no doubt.  That's what I was trying (and apparently failing  :P ) to say. That I doubt very much the kid had any true choice in the matter.
Nah, you didn't fail... *I* failed to communicate that I was (merely) agreeing with your incisive words of wisdom!  ;D
Title: Comments for "Last two missing teens found in Montana"
Post by: Ursus on September 17, 2010, 01:01:37 PM
Comment (http://http://www.wthitv.com/dpp/news/two-missing-teens-found) left for the above article, "Last two missing teens found in Montana (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30905&start=15#p379182)" (by Kate Greene, 16 Aug 2010, WTHItv.com):


rotsne 1p  · 3 weeks ago


All content © Copyright 2000 - 2010 LIN Television Corporation.
Title: Runaways found safe
Post by: Ursus on September 18, 2010, 06:34:47 PM
Lake County Leader
Runaways found safe (http://http://leaderadvertiser.com/news/article_879ddad2-abd2-11df-93f9-001cc4c03286.html)
Posted: Thursday, August 19, 2010 2:41 pm
By Sasha Goldstein

ST. IGNATIUS — Four teens missing since July from the Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch in St. Ignatius have been confirmed found and safe, according to Lake County Sheriff's Office Det. Mike Gehl.

"As far as I can remember, this was the longest kids have been missing," Gehl said of the runaways from the ranch. "One [teen] had been in contact with his mom and his mom got bus fare for the kid to get back to Indiana."

Chance Salyers and Adam Irwin, 17, both of Illinois, ran away from the ranch July 15. Police in Kalispell found Irwin earlier this month and Salyers spoke with his mother about picking him up in Kalispell in early August as well.

Thomas Morson, 15, of Indiana and 14-year-old Cody Thompson, of Illinois, ran away from the ranch July 26 and Gehl said they were found in Missoula just last week. Acting director of the ranch Jonathan Larsson said they were notified that the last two missing youth had been found on the night of the 13th.

All four teens have been transported back to their respective home states.

"There didn't appear to be a connection between the two [pairs of runaways]," Gehl said.

Gehl said approximately one or two children run away from the ranch each year. He said they are troubled youth that are not necessarily used to a structured lifestyle that includes chores and punishment. Most cited homesickness as the reason they ran away, Gehl said.

"It's unfortunate what’s going on, that the kids ran away," Gehl said. "Many aren't used to being told to shovel horse manure if they mess up."

Gehl said there are 75 to 80 kids at the ranch at any one time from all over the country. They are voluntarily admitted to the ranch, either by their parents or themselves, and are taught Christian values in a ranch-type setting.


© Copyright 2010, leaderadvertiser.com, Polson, MT.
Title: Re: Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch - new entry on the
Post by: Whooter on September 18, 2010, 07:38:41 PM
Glad they are safe.  I guess it is not very clear yet why they ran (my guess would be the structure), but if it wasnt for a good reason it is unfortunate because they had an opportunity to turn their lives around.  I am not sure what the next step is for these kids.  I just hope they can find themselves and the next place is able to connect with them and set them on the right path.



...
Title: Re: Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch - new entry on the
Post by: Ursus on September 20, 2010, 05:57:50 PM
Quote from: "Whooter"
Glad they are safe.  I guess it is not very clear yet why they ran (my guess would be the structure), but if it wasnt for a good reason it is unfortunate because they had an opportunity to turn their lives around.  I am not sure what the next step is for these kids.  I just hope they can find themselves and the next place is able to connect with them and set them on the right path.
Barring cases in which the courts were already involved, it's quite possible that some of these families have reconsidered sending off their boys to a program.
Title: The Problems Mount For Pinehaven
Post by: Ursus on September 21, 2010, 12:24:43 PM
Another entry from David Krug's Standing In Corners blog:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Problems Mount For Pinehaven (http://http://www.standingincorners.com/the-problems-mount-for-pinehaven/)
07. Aug, 2010 · 5 Comments

Pinehaven did not notify Missoula Police about the missing boys at Pinehaven which is the most logical place for runaways to go. Pinehaven has done almost nothing to help locate the boys and has not been cooperative, instead placing blame back on the "troubled teens", their parents, and how they were raised.

While I'm certain these teens are in need of extra care, love, and grace I really don't think you point fingers at runaways, you try to evaluate how to reach them, how to help them, and how to love them. Especially given the circumstances that they came from.

I believe these runaways are a warning sign, and writing on the wall that there are other problems that need to be addressed at Pinehaven. However Pinehaven has not wanted to heed advice from churches, from former staff, or from alumni who offered many paths towards redemption, and healing.

Pinehaven continues to stick to its, It's everyone else's fault policy when really it should be focusing on finding the boys that are missing, and helping the children that are currently in their care.

In my personal evaluation I believe at least one of the boys runaways could have been prevented through having a licensed counselor on board, and a willingness to help address these issues in a proper professional manner.

Regarding More Allegations of Abuse

Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch continues to have problem after problem stacked on top of problems. Currently Standing in Corners volunteers are investigating 3 more allegations of sexual abuse at Pinehaven dating back 15 years.

# #
Title: Re: Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch - new entry on the
Post by: maruska on September 22, 2010, 10:44:41 AM
Ursus, did you notice the comment from Cody?
Title: Re: The Problems Mount For Pinehaven
Post by: Ursus on September 22, 2010, 11:12:23 AM
Quote from: "maruska"
Ursus, did you notice the comment from Cody?
Yep. It's why I delayed posting this blog entry (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30905&p=379961#p379817) 'till after I got the articles posted re. the runaways being home safe and sound... for "context," you might say. Just didn't get around to posting the comments yesterday. Thanks for noticing!
Title: Comments for "The Problems Mount For Pinehaven"
Post by: Ursus on September 22, 2010, 11:23:56 AM
The third comment below is from Cody Thompson, one of the runaways:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

Comments (http://http://www.standingincorners.com/the-problems-mount-for-pinehaven/) left for the above blog entry, "The Problems Mount For Pinehaven (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30905&p=379962#p379817)" (by David Krug; 07 August, 2010; Standing in Corners [blog])


Chelsie · 11. Aug, 2010 at 3:50 am
David Krug · 13. Aug, 2010 at 6:04 am
Cody Thomson · 17. Aug, 2010 at 10:36 pm
David Krug · 18. Aug, 2010 at 9:26 pm
James P. Mason · 20. Sep, 2010 at 10:41 pm


# #
Title: Re: Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch - new entry on the
Post by: Reddit TroubledTeens on March 28, 2012, 01:15:45 PM
David Krug's new website about Pinehaven: http://davidkrug.org/pinehaven (http://davidkrug.org/pinehaven)
Title: Re: Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch - new entry on the
Post by: Reddit TroubledTeens on March 28, 2012, 01:19:28 PM
http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/27/u ... an-school/ (http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/27/ungodly-discipline-abuse-accusations-at-a-christian-school/)

Ungodly Discipline: Abuse accusations at a Christian school

March 27th, 2012
10:46 PM ET

[VIDEO]

Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch in western Montana doesn't deny their use of "tough love" techniques on students. In the past, one house parent would apply pressure to the children's necks to control their behavior, a practice no longer permitted. Several former students and employees say they experienced  or witnessed physical and emotional abuse. Preacher Bob Larsson, who's been the school's owner for almost 40 years, denies the allegations and tells CNN's Gary Tuchman that their methods of discipline are not abusive.

Larson introduced several students who are thankful for their time at Pinehaven. Troy Baker said, "Tough love means separating people from drugs and alcohol and bad influences that brought them to pinehaven in the first place." Curtis Swanson says he never saw an abusive house parent.

Others claim that the abuse went beyond trying to discipline students to include difficult and dangerous construction jobs around the ranch. Larsson says those who didn't complete the work were punished, but not abused. When asked why he thinks some are alleging abuse, he told CNN he believes they are influenced by Satan.
tzavtr.gary.tuchman
   Post by: Gary Tuchman
Filed under: Ungodly Discipline
Title: Re: Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch - new entry on the
Post by: Reddit TroubledTeens on March 28, 2012, 01:23:18 PM
http://www.goddiscussion.com/94774/phys ... cusations/ (http://www.goddiscussion.com/94774/physical-abuse-charges-are-made-about-a-montana-christian-boarding-school-but-owner-says-that-satan-is-behind-the-accusations/)

Physical abuse charges are made about a Montana Christian boarding school, but owner says that Satan is behind the accusations
March 28, 2012 By God Discussion Reporter 1 Comment and 0 Reactions

Bob Larsson, owner of the Pinehaven Christian Children's RanchAccusations of abuse at the Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch in western Montana have surfaced, and CNN's Gary Tuchman investigated the story.

For over four decades, the Christian boarding school operated in the town of St. Ignatius, run by Bob Larsson, a preacher who is now 82 years old.  His school takes in troubled youth.  Larsson told CNN that he tries to teach the kids that God loves them, and that God is the answer to everything because He rules everything.  "He made man. He made the world. He made the rules," Larsson says.

Despite these holy proclamations, some former students and houseparents are painting a picture that is not so rosy.

Denise Bingham, a former Pinehaven houseparent, told CNN that if youngsters did not obey, they would receive physical pain in the form pressing   pressure points, being dragged down a hill, or even choked.  "I think God weeps when He thinks about the wrong that's been done," she told Tuchman.  Larsson says that the allegations are not true, but are simply wrong perceptions and false memories.

James Mason was enrolled into Pinehaven when he was 13 years old and stayed there for six years.  He alleges that he was choked when he was 14 by being lifted by the throat.  Melissa Stasiuk was also enrolled there and has a similar claim of being choked by being lifted by the neck.  She says that she was picked up by her throat and slammed upon the kitchen table by a houseparent named Ned Kent, who still works at Pinehaven.  Kent says that the allegations about being choked are "totally false."  He claims that he only used pressure points on the ears to restrain the teenagers.  Larsson told Kent not to do that anymore since the practice could be misconstrued, and both say that the practice has ceased.

Lauren McClary, another former student, says that she experienced a different kind of abuse by a different houseparent, who grabbed her by her ponytail and dragged her up the stairs.  Larsson disputed the claim and introduced CNN's Tuchman to former students who confirmed his side of the story.  Troy Baker told CNN that "there was tough love but there was nothing cruel or unusual."  By "tough love," Baker was referring to separating people from "drugs and alcohol and bad influences that brought them to Pinehaven in the first place."

Curtis Swanson praised the school, saying that had he not gone there, he would probably have a criminal record.  "It kept me on track and gave me a better place to be," he said, adding that he learned ethics there and that the school saved his life.

CNN says that there are numerous and detailed complaints of abuse, despite the glowing remarks from some of the students.  The reason for these accusations, Larsson told CNN's Tuchman, is because of the devil.  "Ultimately, we only have one enemy who wants to defeat the goodness in the world," he explained, "and that's Satan.  And I really believe that he is a real personality and he works to try to stop the works of God and cause the evil that keeps going on that will happen.  I think that he influences people.  The Bible says he is the father of lies, and people sometimes believe his lies."  He alleges that "underneath it all," the reason that people are making accusations are because they are being influenced by Satan.

*******************************************
COMMENTS:

Sheldon

Now there's a convenient excuse... they must be mistaken, or possibly lying due to the influence of the devil. Perhaps, denying any of the incidents of choking is a Satanic influence... because, if it's a lie, it will be discovered and then, Satan wins because it's a lie and lies do not come from God.

You see... you can make this God/Satan stuff go any way you want.
Title: Re: Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch - new entry on the
Post by: Reddit TroubledTeens on March 28, 2012, 02:33:04 PM
Another amazing website exposing Pinehaven:
http://www.pinehavenabuse.org (http://www.pinehavenabuse.org)
Title: Ricky Wagener's death
Post by: PeterStrom on January 14, 2014, 08:58:44 AM
Quote from: Pieces Of Victory

Pinehaven (http://brokenpiecesofvictory.com/?page_id=529)

O Ricky, Where art thou?

In March of 2010, I posted a video on Facebook where I recalled the memory of a former roommate at Pinehaven Christian Children’s Ranch named Ricky Wagener. In the months following this broadcast, I was personally attacked and labeled by the Larssons as a liar because some of my recollections of the incidents surrounding Ricky’s disappearance over a decade ago in November 1995 were not completely accurate. I have accepted full responsibility for these inaccuracies, and have worked very hard over the past year and a half to develop a much more accurate understanding of what happened, who was involved, and what it means to every child abused at the hands of Pinehaven.

While my recollections were inaccurate, they do not hold a candle to the beaming contradictions, attempted cover ups and web of lies surrounding the death of Ricky Wagener. This article intends not to give a concrete conclusion as to what happened on that cold November night in Northwest Montana, but rather to present multiple testimonies, possible considerations, and a basis for you to make your own conclusions, and ultimately, your own inquiries.

A Bit About Ricky
Ricky Wagener came to Pinehaven Christian Children’s Ranch at the age of 14, in the summer of 1995, from Kirkland, Washington. Brazilian by birth, Ricky was adopted at some point in his childhood to an American family. When he arrived at Pinehaven, this young man displayed very distinct emotional and mental development issues. Oddly muscular for his age (estimated 2-3% body fat), Ricky had an absolute obsession with fitness. Also evident were either psychological or physiological issues that prevented Ricky from controlling his “natural functions”, resulting in embarrassing episodes on nearly a weekly, often daily basis. It was evident from the start that Pinehaven Christian Children’s Ranch had neither the experience, nor the operational capabilities to deal with Ricky’s many issues.

In response to Ricky’s self-defecating issues, both his houseparents made him masquerade in front of every other child in the Blue House with soiled sheets and clothing berated him in front of other staff and kids, even placing him into situations which might induce embarrassing episodes. In response to Ricky’s obsessive concerns with fitness, his houseparents Ned and Maxine Kent, “grounded” Ricky from exercising in an attempt to realign his focus from a narcissistic worldview to a Christ-centered paradigm. Even though he was the most capable, Ricky was not allowed to milk cows with the rest of his house brothers due to the inevitable forearm exercise involved. Instead, he was assigned to “shovel duty” where he would stand with a scoop shovel, waiting for cows to poop. The irony of this task did not fall upon deaf ears. In response to this treatment, Ricky became introverted in his thoughts, refusing to speak to any of us, even in the darkness of night. Finally, when he had had enough, he did what the bravest of abused children do – he ran.

I do not recall how many attempts Ricky made at running away, but in on a cold night in November 1995, Ricky ran off into the night, never to be seen again. Last year, when I published my Facebook video, before extensive research that has prompted this article; I proposed that Ricky chose his destination and suicide in order to make an irrefutable statement, while simultaneously sparking an investigation into the abuses at Pinehaven Christian Children’s Ranch. Although I would like to maintain this perspective, my findings have made this conclusion inconceivable.

The Official Pinehaven Story

Ricky’s alleged 5 mile journey to his death
According to Pinehaven Christian Children’s Ranch, Ricky Wagener ran away from the Ranch on November 6th 1995. From the Ranch, Ricky headed 5 miles east in the middle of the night to Pinehaven’s Headquarters Compound in St. Ignatius, MT, adjacent to St. Ignatius First Christian Church and an apartment complex owned by Pinehaven. Inside this secure compound, Pinehaven leadership stored many of their personal recreational vehicles, including an RV owned by Dewey Obenchain (former lead pastor of Pablo Christian Church and short-term associate minister of St. Ignatius Christian Church). According to Pinehaven, Ricky entered this RV and, once inside, ingested brake fluid presumably acquired from within the compound. After ingesting this fluid, Ricky passed away.

Seven months later, on May 30th, 1996, Andy Larsson was working at the office located at the Pinehaven Headquarters when, as he reported to a former staff member the day of the occurrence, he looked out the window and saw Ricky’s shoulder through the window in Dewey Obenchain’s RV. Rushing out to the RV, he found Ricky slumped over a table grasping a container of brake fluid.

The Official Lake County Sheriff’s Office Story

Ken Scott
Upon initial examination of Ricky Wagener’s death certificate, it would be easily assumed that Pinehaven Christian Children’s Ranch and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office would agree on the timeline and details surrounding Ricky’s death. I also made this assumption until I read the account of these events from the perspective of Ken Scott. Ken Scott is a high-profile resident of St. Ignatius, prominently known as the region’s telecommunications “go to guy” and a former Lake County Sheriff Deputy. His involvement with the Larssons and Pinehaven include sporadic attendance at St. Ignatius Christian Church, consultation regarding the Pinehaven’s internal radio communications capabilities, and most importantly, aerial and civic liaison assistance regarding runaways from Pinehaven.

In the past two years, Ken Scott has been voluntarily vocal in support of Pinehaven, particularly in regards to the flood of attention Pinehaven received when four boys ran away in the summer of 2010 within two weeks. It was within this vocal support that Ken Scott reaffirmed his decades-long involvement with Pinehaven during all runaway search operations. According to Ken Scott, he had personally interviewed every runaway and had developed an exhaustive profile of motives and practices.

At the time of Ricky’s demise, Ken Scott was a Lake County Sheriff Deputy. According to him, on May 30th, 1996 he was on patrol throughout St. Ignatius when (for an undisclosed reason) he entered the Pinehaven Headquarters compound and found Ricky in an RV, dead. Obviously, this story is in direct contrast to that of Pinehaven’s leadership, yet no part of his story is in any more conflict with Ricky’s death certificate (other than the pronounced dead indication), making it of equal consideration.

The Death Certificate

Although it is public record, Lake County made it very difficult for many people to acquire Ricky Wagener’s death certificate. Thanks to the vigilant efforts of former Montana State Representative Jeanne Windham, we were able to acquire this document from the Montana Office of Vital Statistics. Within this document, there are very interesting entries, which we will identify one by one,
  • The Manner of Death is listed as “Could not be determined” when the option of “suicide” was available. The Manner of Death is not listed as “Pending Investigation”, indicating that an investigation was not being pursued beyond 4 weeks.
  • The original Place Of Injury was changed by hand by Joe Geldrich, Lake County Coroner, from occurring at Pinehaven Christian Children’s Ranch to Pinehaven’s Office in St. Ignatius.
  • The Coroner’s examination occurred a full 28 days following the date that Ricky was found and pronounced dead.
  • The Date of Death is listed as “estimated”, while the Hour of Death is specifically recorded as Late PM, although both are contingent solely upon the testimony of Pinehaven’s leadership.
  • The Method Of Disposition is listed as “Cremation” at Sunset Memorial Crematory in Missoula, MT – not in Ricky’s home state of Washington. “Removal from State” is an option indicated in the same category.

Pinehaven’s Response to Ricky’s Disappearance

As is the case with most children who run away from Pinehaven Christian Children’s Ranch, they are pursued by Pinehaven staff and Ken Scott, usually to be found “within a couple of days” as Bob Larsson prefers to put it. Through the utilization of Ken Scott’s aerial capabilities, and the rural locale of their facility, children are normally rather easy to locate. Most are picked up by the time they get to Ravalli or Arlee. From testimony given by Ken Scott, it was revealed that, upon apprehension, runaways are often taken to the Pinehaven Office (where Ricky’s body was found) where they are questioned extensively.

One of Ken Scott’s helicopters, used to find runaways from Pinehaven Christian Children’s Ranch.

It should be noted that in the past 18 months – 15% of all Pinehaven residents have not only ran away from the Ranch (or the associative Kootenai Christian Camp), but have made it to a regional metropolitan area such as Missoula or Kalispell. In February 2011, two boys who made it all the way to Missoula held up a movie theatre associate outside his place of work with BB guns stolen from Wal-Mart.

Pinehaven’s documented policies to keep everything internal (as seen in their Policy Handbook) is further displayed by their voluntary non-disclosure to such agencies as CPS, local law enforcement, and the Montana State Missing Person’s Clearinghouse regarding runaways. It should be noted that no report was made to the Montana Missing Persons Clearinghouse following the November 6th, 1995 disappearance of Ricky Wagener, nor in the seven months till the discovery of his body on May 30th, 1996.

In January of 1996, before Ricky’s body had supposedly been discovered, Ned Kent responded to an inquiry by Blue House male residents regarding Ricky’s whereabouts by stating, “You don’t want to be where Ricky is.”

Pinehaven’s Response to the Discovery of Ricky’s Body

Andy Larsson
Immediately upon discovering of Ricky’s body, Andy Larsson took the time to visit Chris Hoppe at her home in St. Ignatius, a few blocks away from the Pinehaven Headquarters compound. In completely synchronized accuracy with the Pronounced Dead time of 1425, Mrs. Hoppe recollects this meeting taking place in the early afternoon. Andy Larsson told Mrs. Hoppe that Ricky had ingested brake fluid in order to commit suicide, relaying his story that he found Ricky slumped over the table, still clutching on to the bottle of brake fluid. It should be noted that Mrs. Hoppe was married to the St. Ignatius Judge.

Ricky’s adoptive parents in Kirkland, WA were notified that Ricky had been found frozen to death in a trailer. They were never notified that his death had resulted from an alleged ingestion of brake fluid. Ricky’s parents were not offered the opportunity to view Ricky’s body before he was cremated at Sunset Memorial Crematory in Missoula – an action taken by Pinehaven Christian Children’s Ranch without any Power of Attorney beyond the rights authorized to them within the Parental Agreement and Consent Form. It should be noted that this Agreement provides Pinehaven with foster care authority, although they do not meet the Montana State requirements for foster care, nor have they ever held licensure for such.

Years after the discovery of Ricky’s body, Andy Larsson related the story of his discovery to members of Pinehaven staff in an oddly contrasting manner. He told them that he discovered Ricky’s body on May 30th, 1996 when he went out to his RV to clean it out – not the RV belonging to Dewey Obenchain.

**UPDATE** – It has been reported that, in 2010, Bob Larsson told a Missions Committee in Indiana that had begun to question Pinehaven’s eligibility for missions support that Ricky’s father had Ricky cremated, and that his ashes were scattered over the Pinehaven property. In addition to these actions, Bob Larsson informed the pastor in charge of the Missions committee that Ricky’s father had set up a fund for building projects at Pinehaven. This was not recollected by Ricky’s father during an interview. It should be noted that Pinehaven issues donation forms with all quarterly newsletters that provide an opportunity to apportion donations to specific operations, including the general building fund. Any donation annotated to this category could be interpreted as “setting up a fund for building projects” regardless of the monetary amount.

Body Preservation Issues

Due to the lack of investigative operations performed by Lake County in the case of Ricky’s death whose cause could “not be determined”, it is important to identify the critical issue of decomposition of a fully exposed human body over a seven month period. In any other case, in other part of the country, if the seven month decomposed body of a child was found, it would garner massive amounts of media attention while undergoing an extensive state-level forensic investigation. While I am by no means a forensic expert, the following data presents a strong case for questioning why such a mild investigation and identification process was accepted by Lake County and ultimately the State of Montana.

The day that Ricky ran away and the following day had a low of 28 degrees with highs of 41 degrees. A day later, the temperature never even dropped below freezing, with a high of 51 degrees. Over the next three weeks, the temperature fluctuated achieving a lowest temperature of 19 degrees and a high temperature of 61, averaging 37 degrees.

Throughout the 207 days until Ricky’s body was found, 65 days never reached as low as 32 degrees, maintaining ample time for complete decomposition as displayed in this case study involving a pig corpse.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.pinehavenabuse.org/ (http://www.pinehavenabuse.org/)