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Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => Lighthouse of northwest florida (fka VCA )/ Rebekah / Roloff ) => Topic started by: Anonymous on May 07, 2006, 08:34:00 PM

Title: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on May 07, 2006, 08:34:00 PM
Hi, I am looking for anyone who was at the Bethesda Home for girls during 1977 to 1880.  I spent 2 years there, not by choice.  I was there the first time when Beth, the girl who was hit by the train and had her leg cut off, was there.  I was sent there at 15 and left right before my 18th birthday.  I knew the Barnwells very well during those 2 years.  I would be interested to hear anyone who was there at that time.  I reccently found a copy of the "Family Altar" book on the homes for May of 1978 from my parents basement.  There is a photo in there of the 5 girls that were in charge of all of us at that time.  I am 44 years old now and am just now cruising the web to see if anyone else experienced what I did.  We SOOOOO weren't aloud to talk to one another about how we really felt inside.
Thanks
Title: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on May 09, 2006, 08:29:00 PM
hey anonymous,
there are a couple of groups on yahoo that are for bethesda girls.  You might want to check those out.
I know about the feelings thing.  We had a lot of weird rules at Rebekah, but I cried for a month when I first got in and no one made me feel bad about it.  I think it's terrible that they didn't allow you to express what you felt.  That's inhumane.
Title: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on May 19, 2006, 04:35:00 PM
Hello, I was their 1981 I was pregnant. After 24 years I still think of that horrible place. I was one of the girls from Ft. Lauderdale Florida. I am looking for Lori Moser {sorry if missed spelled)And any other girl who was there.
Title: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on May 19, 2006, 08:35:00 PM
I am friends with Lori...wonderful person!  She is a member of roloffhomes group on yahoo.
Title: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: cloud9mom on May 19, 2006, 09:46:00 PM
I was there in 80 also.
Title: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on May 19, 2006, 11:43:00 PM
Lori and I are from same home town we kept in touch over the years but she moved to Georgia. Is she on the survivor sisters @yahoo I joined tonight but web master hasn't checked me in yet so I can't get in . My name is Karen if you talk to her give my email [email protected]
Title: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on May 20, 2006, 08:26:00 PM
hey, cloud9 lady, I see you are from Louisiana.  I am from New Orleans, but relocated.  where are you from?
Title: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: cloud9mom on June 09, 2006, 03:14:00 AM
I'm in Baton Rouge.
Title: Bethesda
Post by: Anonymous on October 30, 2006, 02:56:09 PM
I was also in Bethesda from 1985-1986, would love to get in touch with anyone. We do have a group on Yahoo under Bethesdagirls_redemptionranchboys
Stacey
Title: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on October 01, 2007, 11:15:34 AM
Quote from: ""Guest""
Hi, I am looking for anyone who was at the Bethesda Home for girls during 1977 to 1880.  I spent 2 years there, not by choice.  I was there the first time when Beth, the girl who was hit by the train and had her leg cut off, was there.  I was sent there at 15 and left right before my 18th birthday.  I knew the Barnwells very well during those 2 years.  I would be interested to hear anyone who was there at that time.  I reccently found a copy of the "Family Altar" book on the homes for May of 1978 from my parents basement.  There is a photo in there of the 5 girls that were in charge of all of us at that time.  I am 44 years old now and am just now cruising the web to see if anyone else experienced what I did.  We SOOOOO weren't aloud to talk to one another about how we really felt inside.

Thanks
Title: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on October 01, 2007, 11:18:51 AM
Hey I was at Bethesda from 76 to 79 . My name then was Cheryl Davis.I would love to talk with anyone from that time also. E-mail me at  [email protected]
Title: Bethesda Groups
Post by: Anonymous on October 31, 2007, 06:49:29 PM
There is one on myspace also.
Title: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on November 15, 2007, 11:00:11 PM
Quote from: ""Guest""
Hi, I am looking for anyone who was at the Bethesda Home for girls during 1977 to 1880.  I spent 2 years there, not by choice.  I was there the first time when Beth, the girl who was hit by the train and had her leg cut off, was there.  I was sent there at 15 and left right before my 18th birthday.  I knew the Barnwells very well during those 2 years.  I would be interested to hear anyone who was there at that time.  I reccently found a copy of the "Family Altar" book on the homes for May of 1978 from my parents basement.  There is a photo in there of the 5 girls that were in charge of all of us at that time.  I am 44 years old now and am just now cruising the web to see if anyone else experienced what I did.  We SOOOOO weren't aloud to talk to one another about how we really felt inside.

Thanks
I was there in 74 to jun 75 am looking for others as well, I have located my daughter but only have had email contact.  Got the information on her out of Jack Riley a few years back.[[/color]color=darkred][/color]
Title: Bethesda Home in Mississippi
Post by: Anonymous on November 20, 2007, 11:36:22 AM
[email protected][/url]
Title: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on November 20, 2007, 11:44:55 AM
Quote from: ""Guest""
Hi, I am looking for anyone who was at the Bethesda Home for girls during 1977 to 1880.  I spent 2 years there, not by choice.  I was there the first time when Beth, the girl who was hit by the train and had her leg cut off, was there.  I was sent there at 15 and left right before my 18th birthday.  I knew the Barnwells very well during those 2 years.  I would be interested to hear anyone who was there at that time.  I reccently found a copy of the "Family Altar" book on the homes for May of 1978 from my parents basement.  There is a photo in there of the 5 girls that were in charge of all of us at that time.  I am 44 years old now and am just now cruising the web to see if anyone else experienced what I did.  We SOOOOO weren't aloud to talk to one another about how we really felt inside.

Thanks
[/b][/code]
Title: nancy
Post by: Anonymous on December 05, 2007, 03:48:15 PM
I was there at the time connie was hit and killed by the truck. I can not remember her last name.

I am 40 now and yes we all went through the same thing.
Title: Re: Bethesda
Post by: Anonymous on September 01, 2008, 06:11:40 PM
Quote from: "hopedances"
I was also in Bethesda from 1985-1986, would love to get in touch with anyone. We do have a group on Yahoo under Bethesdagirls_redemptionranchboys
Stacey


hI Stacey, I was in Bethesda in 1986 and was their when it got raided.

Kelly
Title: Re: Bethesda
Post by: Anonymous on September 01, 2008, 06:13:42 PM
Quote from: "ladylite1970"
Quote from: "hopedances"
I was also in Bethesda from 1985-1986, would love to get in touch with anyone. We do have a group on Yahoo under Bethesdagirls_redemptionranchboys
Stacey


hI Stacey, I was in Bethesda in 1986 and was their when it got raided.

Kelly
if you were there in 1986 email me [email protected]
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: MaryAnne64 on September 08, 2008, 11:20:06 PM
My name is Mary Anne Sutton. I was in Bethesda and Ruth's Home from 1979-1981. I had long red auburn hair. I would like to get re-connected with some of my old friends.  please e-mail me at [email protected]  Tika Berry, Paula, Sandy, Rhonda are a few names that stick out.
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on September 15, 2008, 08:38:27 AM
Hey I am Cheryl Blackwell was Davis I was at Bethesda from1976 to 1979 . I also had a sister there Nancy Davis. I would love to talk with anyone who would like to talk about those years spent there. I have spots in time there I dont remember , and then theres things I will never get out off my head. Anyway my email is  [email protected]
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on March 24, 2009, 12:32:45 AM
hi   , my name was missy mcelheney when i was in bethesda home for girls. i was there for a year, 5months, and 4 days. i went in june of 1975 and released in november of 1976. i dont know what mademe google bethesda tonight but im so glad i did. i had no idea anything would come up. im 49 years old now and my experiences there still haunt me.  the barnwells were there when i was there. i guess ive always thought of 'uncle bart' as ok, but 'aunt dot' will always remain as one of the most evil women ever born to me.after seeing this site im literally shaking right now.even after 32 years. my husband, kids, some family know a little about my time there, but noone can truely know who wasnt there.i would love to talk to anyone who was there and sincerely hope you dealt with it better than i have. thanks, missy bryan
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: LisaGarza70 on March 31, 2009, 07:49:53 AM
Hi My name is Lisa Garza I was 12yrs when at Bethesda in Mississippi 1981 Maybe 82. Dk brown hair short 5'1 Hispanic. from Montana. Does anyone remember the riot? It was crazy. Left side inner bedrooms where destroyed even toilets pulled up walls punched in, and writing all over the walls. I remember one wall was knocked down or through. My email [email protected]
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on April 03, 2009, 12:43:16 PM
Im Tami,I was in Bethesda home in Mississippi from 1978 to 1979.Im looking for my son that was taken away at birth.Living without him has been painful my whole life.I hate the way we were all treated and there has to be a website about this now. If you have any imformation that might be of any help contact me at [email protected]    Thanks
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on April 14, 2009, 01:16:55 PM
I was in the home from 1975-1977....I remember a lot of girls...anyone can email me at [email protected]
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on April 26, 2009, 12:53:12 PM
Hi, My name is Cindy.  I was in the home in 1979-80 was there a year and five days.  I have long brown hair.  I anm looking for others that were there with me.  I am in contact with a few of the girls that were there with me, now.  Please contact me, I want to here from you.  My email address is [email protected].  Cindy Labadie (Gladwin)
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on April 27, 2009, 12:30:04 AM
My sister was adopted and born in Hattiesburg in January 1978.  Her birthmom's last name was Thornton.  If you have any info please contact me at: [email protected].  Thanks!
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on April 27, 2009, 12:41:25 PM
I was in Bethesda late 70's.Just decided to do a search  today after a dream[nightmare more like it] I had a few nights ago about aunt dot. I live in the New Orleans area,I am 45 yrs young.My name then Charlotte Dufrene. names I remember there: Colleen Warren, Alisa Morgan, Rose Hubbard , Cindy NeSmith,Vickie Stubblefield. anyone there at that time please email me at [email protected]. Thanks,Charlotte
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on April 27, 2009, 01:58:25 PM
Quote from: "Guest"
Hi, I am looking for anyone who was at the Bethesda Home for girls during 1977 to 1880.  I spent 2 years there, not by choice.  I was there the first time when Beth, the girl who was hit by the train and had her leg cut off, was there.  I was sent there at 15 and left right before my 18th birthday.  I knew the Barnwells very well during those 2 years.  I would be interested to hear anyone who was there at that time.  I reccently found a copy of the "Family Altar" book on the homes for May of 1978 from my parents basement.  There is a photo in there of the 5 girls that were in charge of all of us at that time.  I am 44 years old now and am just now cruising the web to see if anyone else experienced what I did.  We SOOOOO weren't aloud to talk to one another about how we really felt inside.
Thanks
I am 45 now .I was there during that time .Please contact me. My email address is   [email protected]
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on April 27, 2009, 02:03:16 PM
Quote from: "missybryan"
hi   , my name was missy mcelheney when i was in bethesda home for girls. i was there for a year, 5months, and 4 days. i went in june of 1975 and released in november of 1976. i dont know what mademe google bethesda tonight but im so glad i did. i had no idea anything would come up. im 49 years old now and my experiences there still haunt me.  the barnwells were there when i was there. i guess ive always thought of 'uncle bart' as ok, but 'aunt dot' will always remain as one of the most evil women ever born to me.after seeing this site im literally shaking right now.even after 32 years. my husband, kids, some family know a little about my time there, but noone can truely know who wasnt there.i would love to talk to anyone who was there and sincerely hope you dealt with it better than i have. thanks, missy bryan
Missy please contact me .I was there too.Thanks Charlotte.My email is    [email protected]
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on April 29, 2009, 10:11:10 PM
Hello, my husband was adopted and all that he knows about his birth mother is that she was staying at Bethesda Home for Girls during the timeframe of her pregnacy and his birth.  He believes her name my have been Ruth Ellis and she was approximately 16 at the time.  He was born on June 4, 1973 at Forest County General Hospital in Hattisburg.  He would love to locate her to see how she is doing.  If you have any information that would be of help to him, we would greatly appreciate it.  Thanks so much, a caring wife.
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: hurrikayne on April 29, 2009, 11:56:41 PM
Need to know how to contact you.
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on May 01, 2009, 12:36:51 PM
Hey Missy , this is Cheryl Blackwell was Davis, and I came there in 76, please feel free to e-mail me. [email protected] (http://mailto:[email protected])[/quote]
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on May 01, 2009, 12:47:06 PM
Sorry mis wrote mt email , [email protected] (http://mailto:[email protected])

Quote from: "Charlotte"
Quote from: "missybryan"
hi   , my name was missy mcelheney when i was in bethesda home for girls. i was there for a year, 5months, and 4 days. i went in june of 1975 and released in november of 1976. i dont know what mademe google bethesda tonight but im so glad i did. i had no idea anything would come up. im 49 years old now and my experiences there still haunt me.  the barnwells were there when i was there. i guess ive always thought of 'uncle bart' as ok, but 'aunt dot' will always remain as one of the most evil women ever born to me.after seeing this site im literally shaking right now.even after 32 years. my husband, kids, some family know a little about my time there, but noone can truely know who wasnt there.i would love to talk to anyone who was there and sincerely hope you dealt with it better than i have. thanks, missy bryan
Missy please contact me .I was there too.Thanks Charlotte.My email is    [email protected]
[/quote]
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on May 22, 2009, 05:20:39 AM
Karen (Coggins) Stroble here, I was at Bethesda from Nov 1977 to April 1978. I see some of the girls from the yahoo group as well as the girls from facebook have already posted. My email is [email protected]. I'd love to hear from anyone who was there the same time I was, but would enjoy contact with anyone who lived through that terrible place.
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on May 24, 2009, 10:25:39 AM
I am an adoptee. i am looking for any info on bethesda. I was born sept 7, 1975. Baby girl weighing 5lbs 12oz. I'm trying to find my birth mother. the only info I have is that she was 15. my email is [email protected]
thx, shelly
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: hurrikayne on May 24, 2009, 01:49:14 PM
I know of someone who might be able to help you.  I've sent an E-mail to the address you provided.  Good luck!
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on June 01, 2009, 04:50:04 PM
Quote from: "LisaGarza70"
Hi My name is Lisa Garza I was 12yrs when at Bethesda in Mississippi 1981 Maybe 82. Dk brown hair short 5'1 Hispanic. from Montana. Does anyone remember the riot? It was crazy. Left side inner bedrooms where destroyed even toilets pulled up walls punched in, and writing all over the walls. I remember one wall was knocked down or through. My email [email protected]


Hi it is Marjie, are you referring to the riot of 84 that happened during a choir tour?  If so I was falsely accused of helping plan the riot and you and Kimball Parker and Betsy and a few others came to my aide and stood up for me.  I still got put on new girl status even though they were told by the organizers that I had nothing to do with it.  It didn't matter at that point.  One of the workers, Christine, didn't like me and had a campaigned tirelessly for Mrs. Wills to stop trusting me.  She never did like me from the time I was put into Bethesda.  She allowed me to be in bell choir and choir, but she did everything she could to be sure I never got a leg up while I was there.  She was even part of the reason I was kicked off my role as Lead Kitchen Cook/Staff.  Ah well, not everyone is gonna like you in this world.  Maybe she let her hair down more after her wedding to Bobby...  ;)

I hope this is the same Lisa who was my friend.  She had ezema or soriasis, can't remember which?  My Lisa was tall, hispanic, and beautiful.  I don't remember her last name though so I am not certain it is you.  If so, I have pictures of us together in the front hall of the new campus and think of you often.

I was at Bethesda from December 1982 - September 1984.  

I started out my stay there in the old campus with 10+ girls to a room and a huge and horrid shower room.  It never had enough hot water, we would stand in line with nothing but a towel around us all waiting to take a cold shower and would place a wash cloth on the floor so you wouldn't get athlete's foot on your arse while you shaved your legs with an old razor.  Then later the bliss of only 3-4 girls to a room with an adjoining bathroom you shared with only one other room of 3-4 girls.... LOL.  At least we had private 10 minute showers and the hope of getting a hot shower if you were one of the first 2 girls in.

If this is you or if anyone else out there was at Bethesda, you can find me and lots of other girls from there on Face Book's Group :  Bethesda Home for Girls.

PS.  I also remember and have not been able to locate, Regina (Reggie), Michelle Boudreax, Nina (who I think was part Indian), Betsy (who I think was from Dallas Tx and who's sister came to join her in 1984), Kimball Parker, Colleen Sherman, Donna Jean Chitty and a few more.
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on June 01, 2009, 11:57:48 PM


Hi Nancy The Young lady you are referring to was Connie Munson, She was the young lady that was killed when she tried to run from Bethesda. I too was there at the time.
B.J. Miller
Columbus, Ohio
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on June 18, 2009, 05:11:56 PM
I was at Bethesda 1977-78, my name was Karen Coggins then. I would love to hear from anyone that was there and shared the experience. Contact me through email at [email protected].
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on June 20, 2009, 12:59:42 PM
Quote from: "Guest"
Hi, I am looking for anyone who was at the Bethesda Home for girls during 1977 to 1880.  I spent 2 years there, not by choice.  I was there the first time when Beth, the girl who was hit by the train and had her leg cut off, was there.  I was sent there at 15 and left right before my 18th birthday.  I knew the Barnwells very well during those 2 years.  I would be interested to hear anyone who was there at that time.  I reccently found a copy of the "Family Altar" book on the homes for May of 1978 from my parents basement.  There is a photo in there of the 5 girls that were in charge of all of us at that time.  I am 44 years old now and am just now cruising the web to see if anyone else experienced what I did.  We SOOOOO weren't aloud to talk to one another about how we really felt inside.
Thanks
Hey,My name is Leda.I was In the home in 1980-1984(on & off).I gave birth to a son the second time I was there July82-July83)U had to have been there when I was there.I have been looking for anyone that was there when I was .There are things that happened there That I just can't get over.I've been trying to find my son for years,no luck
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on June 20, 2009, 01:36:32 PM
Quote from: "Marjie (Driver) Sparrow"
Quote from: "LisaGarza70"
Hi My name is Lisa Garza I was 12yrs when at Bethesda in Mississippi 1981 Maybe 82. Dk brown hair short 5'1 Hispanic. from Montana. Does anyone remember the riot? It was crazy. Left side inner bedrooms where destroyed even toilets pulled up walls punched in, and writing all over the walls. I remember one wall was knocked down or through. My email [email protected]


Hi it is Marjie, are you referring to the riot of 84 that happened during a choir tour?  If so I was falsely accused of helping plan the riot and you and Kimball Parker and Betsy and a few others came to my aide and stood up for me.  I still got put on new girl status even though they were told by the organizers that I had nothing to do with it.  It didn't matter at that point.  One of the workers, Christine, didn't like me and had a campaigned tirelessly for Mrs. Wills to stop trusting me.  She never did like me from the time I was put into Bethesda.  She allowed me to be in bell choir and choir, but she did everything she could to be sure I never got a leg up while I was there.  She was even part of the reason I was kicked off my role as Lead Kitchen Cook/Staff.  Ah well, not everyone is gonna like you in this world.  Maybe she let her hair down more after her wedding to Bobby...  ;)

I hope this is the same Lisa who was my friend.  She had ezema or soriasis, can't remember which?  My Lisa was tall, hispanic, and beautiful.  I don't remember her last name though so I am not certain it is you.  If so, I have pictures of us together in the front hall of the new campus and think of you often.

I was at Bethesda from December 1982 - September 1984.  

I started out my stay there in the old campus with 10+ girls to a room and a huge and horrid shower room.  It never had enough hot water, we would stand in line with nothing but a towel around us all waiting to take a cold shower and would place a wash cloth on the floor so you wouldn't get athlete's foot on your arse while you shaved your legs with an old razor.  Then later the bliss of only 3-4 girls to a room with an adjoining bathroom you shared with only one other room of 3-4 girls.... LOL.  At least we had private 10 minute showers and the hope of getting a hot shower if you were one of the first 2 girls in.

If this is you or if anyone else out there was at Bethesda, you can find me and lots of other girls from there on Face Book's Group :  Bethesda Home for Girls.

PS.  I also remember and have not been able to locate, Regina (Reggie), Michelle Boudreax, Nina (who I think was part Indian), Betsy (who I think was from Dallas Tx and who's sister came to join her in 1984), Kimball Parker, Colleen Sherman, Donna Jean Chitty and a few more.
                                   Hi my name is Leda Rush,I was at Bethesda in 1981-1984.On & Off From 1982-1983 I gave birth to a son,I can't believe I 'm looking at names I remember living with.I have waited so long to find some of the girls I knew.I was also there for the riot.I also started out in the old place & went to the new one.My dad came down to talk to the Wills about Bricking the new one.I didn't like being there I sure didn't want my dad building a new one.One good thing about the new home we finally had more room.I don't have very many good  memories of that home.Does anyone remember the littke girl that was there,she was 8 or 9 when her parents dropped her off.
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on June 20, 2009, 02:01:15 PM
I am looking for any girls that were at Bethesda From the time of 1981-1984.I was there in 81 when Morris Dees came in & if u signed that paper u had to go home And they also gave everyone else the choice to stay or go.But then in July 1982my parents thought this was the place to send me again so off I went for one whole horrible year7-82/783.I gave birth to a son March 21,1983,I was never allowed to even see him they took him so fast.I didn't even get to hear him cry.I'm sorry to say this but they really didn't treat the pregnant girls right.I don't think they treated anyone right.Maybe their favorites.U know if the home helped anyone that's great.I just saw to much while I was there.I was there for the riot.Can't say I wish it didn't happen but I got to go home after it did.I just have such horrible thoughts about this place,it haunts me to this day & I'm 41 now.Please if anyone remembers me my email is [email protected] would love to hear good & bad stories from anyone
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: hurrikayne on July 08, 2009, 10:03:15 AM
I'd like to know if anyone has had ANY success through dealing with Jack Riley regarding finding a birth-mother or birth-child.  The low down is this...his offices contacted someone, requested $100 to help that person get information.  A few days later I called and I was told, "Oh, we don't have records that go back that far."  What's up with THAT???
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on July 29, 2009, 07:10:08 PM
I was at Bethesda home for girls from '83 to '84, my name is Melissa Hughes-Summers.  I was and still am from Phoenix, AZ.  Is there anyone else out there that was there during that time that remembers me?  Would love to hear from you if so.  You can email me at [email protected]  I remember a Kelly Lamb from Ohio, Tina Holt from Texas, Angie Hall, Shannon Reynolds from Florida, Nelda Byrd from Alabama (I think), Debbie McClain (?) from Arizona....there was a Heather who was in the adjoining room to me but I can't remember her last name, she had red hair & freckles and was also from Arizona.  Trying to remember more.....Well if anyone wants to contact me, feel free.  Would love to reconnect.  

For those of you who had horrible experiences at Bethesda,  I'm so sorry to hear about your experience.  But I must've been at a different place because I never experienced any abuse there.  The workers that were there when I was there were Elizabeth, Donna, Christy & Robert & in general they were tough on us but never abusive.  Same with Mama & Papa....I remember getting hugs from Mama Wills on a number of occasions.  And I was only spanked once when I was there & it was for getting into a fight with a girl named Tammy from Georgia.

Look forward to hearing from anyone out there who might remember me.

Sincerely,

Melissa Hughes-Summers
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on August 03, 2009, 03:09:39 PM
Quote from: Guest
Hi, I am looking for anyone who was at the Bethesda Home for girls during 1977 to 1880.  I spent 2 years there, not by choice.  I was there the first time when Beth, the girl who was hit by the train and had her leg cut off, was there.  I was sent there at 15 and left right before my 18th birthday.  I knew the Barnwells very well during those 2 years.  I would be interested to hear anyone who was there at that time.  I reccently found a copy of the "Family Altar" book on the homes for May of 1978 from my parents basement.  There is a photo in there of the 5 girls that were in charge of all of us at that time.  I am 44 years old now and am just now cruising the web to see if anyone else experienced what I did.  We SOOOOO weren't aloud to talk to one another about how we really felt inside.
Thanks

I was at Bethesda girls home for six months May-Nov.1980.I was there when a 14yr old girl broke out of the home and was hit by a eightwheeler and killed. Thanks to some older girls who decided to escape and put their lives in danger.she had not been their very long when she was killed.Those other girls were a mean rebellious bunch!! They were mean and hateful and hated and made fun of anyone who obeyed the rules and loved Jesus!!! I didnt like it much when I first got their either!! I wasnt there because I was a little angel who obeyed my parents!! I thank God for that home thats where I learned the word of God and met my Lord and savior Jesus Christ!!! Shame on you now grown women who want to whine and complian! You should thank God he had mercy on your rebellious souls!!! I have five children of my own now ages 26,24,21.18.and 14. 2 girls and 3 boys. And the days are even more evil and people are more wicked than in 1980.This nation needs homes like Bro Lester Roloff dedicated his life to now!!! He was a prophet of God!! Maybe our youth are the way they are today because the same rebellious teenagers then are raising the children of today of no knowledge of God or his holy word!! I guess after you read this you will still hate me and make fun!! But people hated and despised Jesus and rejected him killed him beat and  crucified my Lord and savior!! He said if they hated me they will also hate you!!!
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on September 09, 2009, 02:30:05 PM
That's sad a girl died just because she wanted her freedom, I don't agree its anyone's fault other than the people that abused her and drove her to the act of running. Shame on me?? I think not SHAME on the people who held us against our well, SHAME on the people who treated us less than human, SHAME on you for condoning there action.

I do thank God every day for his mercies and grace and love and for my life he has given me, for my wonderful family he has blessed me with.
The nation DOES NOT need any more home like Bethesda , homes like Bethesda is what made kids evil and rebellious and wicked ( your words).
And no I don't hate you,and would never made fun of you. I feel sorry for you that you are still brained washed by the cult you were in,and they still have that evil hold on you.
Now you go whine and complain (again your words) about me. Have a wonderful day

Bethesda Survivor.
Cheryl Davis
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anonymous on October 04, 2009, 03:47:29 PM
hello...
Im a teen from petal. Last summer some friends told us about this haunted house so we went a few times. Eventually after telling a few of our parents about it one told us it use to be a girls home. We've heard so many horrible stories about it and we havent went since then. Its so scary looking. Today we were talking about it and we googled it. Im SO SORRY to hear about yalls horrible stories!
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Oscar on October 04, 2009, 04:40:44 PM
Dear Asmith

The most scariest part must be that such places continue to exist around the country even today (http://http://wiki.fornits.com/index.php?title=Category:Independent_Roloff_based_facilities).

Watch out for your friends. Keep a track of them and if they suddenly disappear from the school investigate. Last year a ranch was raided, shackles to keep the boys from running were found. The boys home was closed but the girls home located a couple of miles away which are using shackles also were allowed to continue their work.
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: MickyH on January 12, 2010, 02:06:10 PM
Hi Everyone. I was also sent off to Bethesda. I was sent there for running away from home with my sister. I was there during 1979-1980. I had to go look in that Bible they give you.. From Uncle Bert and Aunt Dot..Right... Like they were so close to us as to be called Aunt and Uncle.. I remember one girl that was sent to the home who tried to run away and they handcuffed her and made her sleep on the floor in the hallways laying on the handcuffs. I remember the beatings if you were bad, and the two cookies if you were good. I still have issues with religion thanks to this place. I don't remember anyones names.. I think i tried to block it out. My name is Micky Ditto. I was definitely there for Christmas of 79. My step mom and Dad sent stuffed animals to everone and i remember being surprised we got to keep them..I only learned years later that it closed down, but i was soooooo glad. That place was a nightmare..
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: nomadicdragon on January 28, 2010, 05:50:01 PM
My mother was at Bethesda in 1979. I was born 05/21/1979.  I am looking for anyone who might have known a girl that was at Bethesda Pregnant from 01/1979 - 06/1979.

my email:
[email protected]
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: HerNewDad on June 06, 2010, 08:05:54 PM
Quote
Hi my name is Leda Rush,I was at Bethesda in 1981-1984. . . . Does anyone remember the little girl that was there,she was 8 or 9 when her parents dropped her off.
Yes. April Ford. My wife and I adopted April in 1985. She was a joy! We lost our only son in 1976 and April filled a huge void in our lives. She is now 35, married to a wonderful guy, career Air Force, and has three boys of her own. Our grandsons are very precious to us. I am a Baptist pastor but I had no idea this type of stuff was going on! Had I known I would probably be in jail now! Nobody, but nobody, treats my kids that way and gets away with it!

I am glad so many of you have found one another on forums such as this, and that you are putting your horrible experiences behind you. I just wanted you to know there are a few (very few) good things to have come from Bethesda. Without the home, and the Gibsons, we would not have known about April, and would not have a wonderful daughter, a great son-in-law, and three terrific grandsons (one of which, the youngest, is trying to climb into my lap as I type this). :D

God bless you all.
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: smilinggypsyfool on June 16, 2010, 10:26:46 AM
April's new dad,
Thanks for sharing this. You have no idea how much those of us who knew April worried for her.Even all these years later, when I found her ( I correspond with her some) I was given some  peace. I just wanted her to be safe , happy  and loved and I know she has all those things. Thanks you for taking her in for us and giving her those things. She has always been a special person. Some good things happened in spite of that place. April gaining a home was one of them.
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Anne Bonney on June 16, 2010, 10:42:57 AM
Quote from: "[email protected]"
I am looking for any girls that were at Bethesda From the time of 1981-1984.I was there in 81 when Morris Dees came in & if u signed that paper u had to go home And they also gave everyone else the choice to stay or go.

Wow.  Didn't know he got involved in this.  Interesting.


Quote
But then in July 1982my parents thought this was the place to send me again so off I went for one whole horrible year7-82/783.I gave birth to a son March 21,1983,I was never allowed to even see him they took him so fast.I didn't even get to hear him cry.

Now I wanna cry.

Quote
I'm sorry to say this but they really didn't treat the pregnant girls right.I don't think they treated anyone right.Maybe their favorites.U know if the home helped anyone that's great.I just saw to much while I was there.I was there for the riot.Can't say I wish it didn't happen but I got to go home after it did.I just have such horrible thoughts about this place,it haunts me to this day & I'm 41 now.Please if anyone remembers me my email is [email protected] would love to hear good & bad stories from anyone

 :(
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: marjie driver on June 23, 2010, 09:49:05 AM
Dear April's Dad,

I am so glad you were able to reply when you did.  You didn't know it but you replied exactly 2 days before the Bethesda Home For Girls Survivors 2nd annual reunion.  We were all so very excited to hear the great news that she was adopted by a LOVING family.  Many of us were so very upset to see such a young girl brought to the home only to have her yanked out one day without a word of what was going to happen to her.  So THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for letting us know after all these years that she was loved, happy and healthy.   :seg:


On another note, the future of the old Bethesda building is uncertain.  We learned this year that it may be sold again.  There are still boards there where girls from the later days (1983 - 1986) wrote on them.  We tried to take as many pictures of the sayings, art work, etc. as we could.  The probability of those things that were left behind being destroyed makes me sad because the messages were so poignant and personal and were basically a "proof of life" for many of us.  For myself I am finished going back to the old building (unless someone really needs a shoulder to lean on for their own visit).  I have healed a lot by going back the 2 times I have been there.  I have discovered some memories I had repressed, and don't need to dig up any others.  I figure if I blocked them out, it was my brain's way of keeping me healthy, so leave it be.  

We have a group on Face Book where many girls have gathered.  We have pictures (old and new) of many of us.  I am still searching for many who I was close to:  Katrina Rankin, Michelle Boudreax, Patricia Perry, Tammy Burgess, Regina, Mary (from Florida), Lena Zwick, Nancy Boleware, and many many others.  I hold onto the fact that "the internet is forever" as the hackers say and that one day they will look for us and we will be reunited.

Keeping the faith,
Marjorie
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: ytmex on June 23, 2010, 03:14:22 PM
I was a baby that Lester Roloff sold for $500.  My birth mother was in Rebekka House in 1970 in Georgia. I have learned so much about the man who so many call a "man of God." If he was a man of God, please don't count me in.  

I have searched long and hard for this information. I know that Lester made the parents he sold these babies to promise that they would NEVER tell their ill-gotten children from him (my parents KNEW what they were doing was illegal, but the did not care at the time.  How many other parents who "adopted" know what they did was illegal?).  In fact, if Lester had not been killed in a plane crash my adopted mother would have never told me about him.

I am seeking for a support group... Lester did not only hurt young pregnant girls he hurt their babies...

[email protected]
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: bridgetbread on June 30, 2010, 03:05:23 AM
My mother went to Bethesda from Aug. 20th 1974 - Nov. 11th 1976 when she escaped with another girl while on tour singing. she went by "Miss Candy Bell" she was a cook and a teacher. She had a baby boy on Feb. 27th 1975. At the time she was there the school was run by Hubert and Dorothy Barnwell.
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: kayebiggs on September 22, 2010, 11:57:50 PM
Quote from: "HerNewDad"
Quote
Hi my name is Leda Rush,I was at Bethesda in 1981-1984. . . . Does anyone remember the little girl that was there,she was 8 or 9 when her parents dropped her off.
Yes. April Ford. My wife and I adopted April in 1985. She was a joy! We lost our only son in 1976 and April filled a huge void in our lives. She is now 35, married to a wonderful guy, career Air Force, and has three boys of her own. Our grandsons are very precious to us. I am a Baptist pastor but I had no idea this type of stuff was going on! Had I known I would probably be in jail now! Nobody, but nobody, treats my kids that way and gets away with it!

I am glad so many of you have found one another on forums such as this, and that you are putting your horrible experiences behind you. I just wanted you to know there are a few (very few) good things to have come from Bethesda. Without the home, and the Gibsons, we would not have known about April, and would not have a wonderful daughter, a great son-in-law, and three terrific grandsons (one of which, the youngest, is trying to climb into my lap as I type this). :D

God bless you all.
My name is Kaye (Biggs) Elliott, April slept in the bunk below me from 1982-83. She was treated rough, she was honery, guess i saw alot of me in her. I never asked her why she was there, I wasn't even sure why I was there. I asked for that bunk, I protected her the best I could. When I left,i agonized over her for years. I actually had forgotten Bethesda. I woke up the other morning getting ready for work I kept thinking bout her. I've spent 3 days looking for info on Bethesda. I'm relieved of a burden for the fist time in 27 years. She deserved love more than any of us.Kaye
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: kayebiggs on September 23, 2010, 12:13:08 AM
Quote from: "marjie driver"
Dear April's Dad,

I am so glad you were able to reply when you did.  You didn't know it but you replied exactly 2 days before the Bethesda Home For Girls Survivors 2nd annual reunion.  We were all so very excited to hear the great news that she was adopted by a LOVING family.  Many of us were so very upset to see such a young girl brought to the home only to have her yanked out one day without a word of what was going to happen to her.  So THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for letting us know after all these years that she was loved, happy and healthy.   :seg:


On another note, the future of the old Bethesda building is uncertain.  We learned this year that it may be sold again.  There are still boards there where girls from the later days (1983 - 1986) wrote on them.  We tried to take as many pictures of the sayings, art work, etc. as we could.  The probability of those things that were left behind being destroyed makes me sad because the messages were so poignant and personal and were basically a "proof of life" for many of us.  For myself I am finished going back to the old building (unless someone really needs a shoulder to lean on for their own visit).  I have healed a lot by going back the 2 times I have been there.  I have discovered some memories I had repressed, and don't need to dig up any others.  I figure if I blocked them out, it was my brain's way of keeping me healthy, so leave it be.  

We have a group on Face Book where many girls have gathered.  We have pictures (old and new) of many of us.  I am still searching for many who I was close to:  Katrina Rankin, Michelle Boudreax, Patricia Perry, Tammy Burgess, Regina, Mary (from Florida), Lena Zwick, Nancy Boleware, and many many others.  I hold onto the fact that "the internet is forever" as the hackers say and that one day they will look for us and we will be reunited.

Keeping the faith,
Marjorie
Kaye (biggs) Elliott 1982-83 I can remember April. I remember using hair brushes to sweep the carpet on my knees. I remember being so hungry I ate frozen food from the freezer. Sandwiches at lunch, yogurt or peaches and cottage cheese for supper every single night. I burned all the pics when Bethesda popped up on Oprah one time. The rest is gone. Its like someone cut out a part of my brain. Tammy Burgess, Angela Harding, April Ford... They were all in my room. Leda was leaving when I came in March 1982 then came back a week before I left in March 1983. My papaw made them come get me. They adopted me then my mom thought i was on drugs so she dumped me at Bethesda... I was just running from a relative who liked me "too much".   They took me back home and he had a key to the house, they didnt believe me,they gave him a KEY!!!!!!!!!! I was 16...16. Still a virgin never having tried drugs. Ran away at 16 never been back.Im a successful 43y/o nurse. Married 18yrs, 3 grown kiddos, 7 grandkids.
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: kayebiggs on September 23, 2010, 12:22:24 AM
Quote from: "Anne Bonney"
Quote from: "[email protected]"
I am looking for any girls that were at Bethesda From the time of 1981-1984.I was there in 81 when Morris Dees came in & if u signed that paper u had to go home And they also gave everyone else the choice to stay or go.

Wow.  Didn't know he got involved in this.  Interesting.


Quote
But then in July 1982my parents thought this was the place to send me again so off I went for one whole horrible year7-82/783.I gave birth to a son March 21,1983,I was never allowed to even see him they took him so fast.I didn't even get to hear him cry.

Now I wanna cry.

Quote
I'm sorry to say this but they really didn't treat the pregnant girls right.I don't think they treated anyone right.Maybe their favorites.U know if the home helped anyone that's great.I just saw to much while I was there.I was there for the riot.Can't say I wish it didn't happen but I got to go home after it did.I just have such horrible thoughts about this place,it haunts me to this day & I'm 41 now.Please if anyone remembers me my email is [email protected] would love to hear good & bad stories from anyone
I was there I dont remember much till I got on this site. The memories having been coming back slow the last week in dreams, its been 27yrs. Why now.? Kaye Biggs Elliott
 :(
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: mountainparkalumni97 on December 02, 2010, 09:32:08 PM
I'm a former student of Mountain Park Academy, the Wills spawn after they ran off from Mississippi to Missouri in the late 80's. Although Mountain Park was no walk in the park, y'all had it so much worse. At least by the time I got to MP, they were mostly out of the baby business by then. we even had Bethesda alumni working there, Robert and Christi O'Briant. What they did to y'all taking your babies was criminal. 15 years after I went to MP I have mixed feelings and weird dreams about it. I must say, our Facebook group has been extremely therapuetic. For those of you still looking for your children, Betty Wills is on Facebook under Betty Graves Wills. I doubt she would respond to any of the survivors, but it's worth a try. I will keep y'all in my prayers as I do my Mountain Park sisters.
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Josefkern on December 22, 2010, 02:41:46 PM
Hello everyone, I heard of this place as a teen in high school at Oak Grove.  We went there several times to snoop around hearing about these old horrible stories not ever really thinking they were true.  But in reading this site gives me goosebumps finding out that it was all real.  Well, a few days ago somebody set fire to the school and it has been burnt to the ground.  I thought all you ladies would be glad to know this knowing that it was such a horrible place.  Here is a link to a video of the building after it had burnt down.  I am so sorry you all had to go through what you did and maybe this will help with closure or something.

http://http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/section/VideoNetwork#/News/Fire%20Destroys%20former%20Bethesda%20Girls%20Home%20dorm/46203239001/46206319001/713946068001

We always heard of these wildy horrible stories and would go thinking it was haunted after hearing of some girls being killed many years ago.  And like I said, I don't think anyone really believed it to be true but it is so chilling to find out otherwise.  Once again I am so sorry to hear of all of these stories on here.
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Ursus on December 22, 2010, 03:27:24 PM
Quote from: "Josefkern"
Hello everyone, I heard of this place as a teen in high school at Oak Grove.  We went there several times to snoop around hearing about these old horrible stories not ever really thinking they were true.  But in reading this site gives me goosebumps finding out that it was all real.  Well, a few days ago somebody set fire to the school and it has been burnt to the ground.  I thought all you ladies would be glad to know this knowing that it was such a horrible place.  Here is a link to a video of the building after it had burnt down.  I am so sorry you all had to go through what you did and maybe this will help with closure or something.

http://http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/section/VideoNetwork#/News/Fire%20Destroys%20former%20Bethesda%20Girls%20Home%20dorm/46203239001/46206319001/713946068001

We always heard of these wildy horrible stories and would go thinking it was haunted after hearing of some girls being killed many years ago.  And like I said, I don't think anyone really believed it to be true but it is so chilling to find out otherwise.  Once again I am so sorry to hear of all of these stories on here.
Thanks for being so thoughtful in posting that bit of news, Josef. Fwiw, I've started another thread with your post:

Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: rwhite on March 20, 2011, 01:19:18 PM
My name is Renee White. I am from Ar. I was at that aweful place for a short time in 83-84. I broke out the bedroom window in the last room on the right hallway. Colleen went with me and we both made it home. My parents wouldn't let me have contact with anyone from Bethesda after that. I remember Kimball, Betsy, Colleen, and several other girls whose names I can't remember. I have blank spots in my mind from that time and would love to talk to some of the people I knew back then.

Renee White
[email protected]
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Beejsteph on May 18, 2011, 11:45:43 AM
My Account on here was Hacked into...and ALL things Written About Connie Munson from the Post of BEEJSTEPH was NOT NOT NOT NOT Written by me (BJ MILLER)...I want it Removed...Connie was a Good Friend to many People and I would NEVER EVER EVER Post ANYTHING ABOUT HER whether it is true or not!!!!!
  If you all want to Believe the Crap that is Written...then go right ahead...BUT IT WAS NOT ME WHO WROTE IT!!!!
BJ MILLER....May 18, 2011
    Any Of you Girls who were at Bethesda with me...who TRULY KNOW ME & LOVE ME...Know I would NEVER EVER Post ANYTHING LIKE THIS ON ANY FORUM!!! I Love ALL my Sisters from Bethesda, REBEKAH, BETHESDA, and NEW BETHANY,....and I would NEVER EVER BRING SHAME and REPROACH TO THE CROSS OF CHRIST, Or HIS NAME, or the Name of ANY GIRL WHO EVER ENTERED THOSE HOMES!!!!!
BJ MILLER......May 18, 2011
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: jsprinkle on July 30, 2011, 01:19:49 AM
i was there as well when beth, was there and learned to use her leg, she really inspired me, it was ran by dot and burt and a few girls we had to address and adults, ive always tried to find others there at that time i was there 1975/76 thelma, candy, colleen, veronica, a few names i remember
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: jsprinkle on July 30, 2011, 01:28:42 AM
hi missy i was there then as well, do you remember thelma, colleen, veronica, , i remember so much about that place, i was 15. left at 16, never have or will forget it
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Roxann65 on August 26, 2011, 08:19:11 AM
My name than was Roxann Sabo and I was from Ohio.I was at Bethesda in 81..I was 14 if I remember correctly. I have tried to forget about being there. The Wills were running it at the time. I remember a girl who was there by the name of Leda Rush. She was a sweet little girl and was pregnant when she was there. I have thought about alot of the girls from back than and have often wondered where they were now.  I was in the 1st room on the right when you entered the hall on the top bunk on the right. I remember standing in line for meals and having to write a letter home every week always knowing I would not get anything back from home. The cold shower room where we had to sit on the floor to shave our legs with those round "safe" razors. I hated it at Bethesda and always wondered what I had done that was so wrong my parents sent me there. I received numerous paddelings for failing on some of the subjects in school, and talking about wanting to go home on the phone when I did get the 1 call from home I got the whole time I was there.
I remember the day Christi came into the new building during church on a Sunday and told me to come with her, she took me over to the house and told me to pack my stuff I was leaving. I couldn't pack fast enough. She took me to the Hattiesburgh airport, put me on a plane and sent me home.
I have not been the same since I left there. It was the worst thing my parents could have done.
I would really like to reconnect with the girls who were there when I was. As I stated I do not remember alot of the names. I can be reached @ [email protected] or you can find me on Facebook under the name Renee Maltimore. Renee is my middle name that I go by now .
I hope to hear from any of you .
Renee
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: tulip on March 24, 2012, 07:50:10 AM
Its very true and all the above participants perform well..
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: jenniferR on April 08, 2012, 10:38:22 PM
My mother was at the Bethesda home in hattiesburg. Gave birth in 1974 to a boy she was never allowed to hold him they let her go after his birth she was only 16 at that time. We think he was born between March and June but not certain. Her name was Linda Kay Williams she was 15 when she first came in 73 she turned 16 in Feb prior to his birth.if anyone remembers her or can help me my email is [email protected]
My mom was petite short pretty girl long dark hair lived in north Carolina south Carolina and Ohio prior to her stay at Bethesda.  Her parents both passed away when she was very young 5 or 6 and she lived with brothers and sisters ... hoping anyinfo about her may ring a bell to someone.thank you
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: Splitsilk on April 29, 2012, 12:47:49 AM
Hi everyone. My name is vicki lee or at least it was Lee back then  i am not sure why I decided to search for this subject tonight.  I was at the Bethesda home in 1976-1977.  I was there when Beth the girl that lost her leg from a train.  I had another friend that was there from my church named Tammy that had a baby. I felt so sorry for her they would not even let her see him.  There was Colleen that was a leader  and there was a girl named Karen who I was friends with.  There was also a Debbie who I knew from back at my church also. There were at least 4 girls that the paster of our church was able to convince their mothers to send them there.  
I am glad to hear that others had some of the same experiences as I did. As far as I am concerned it was pure torture.  I was beaten, forced to wash my face with comet cleanser, handcuffed to a chair with only a bible and a light in a dark room.  In the seventies we were forced to sleep on the floor next to the beds.  I remember spending Christmas there in 1977 and my mother sent me cloths and they gave them to the other girls.
I guess I was one of the lucky ones because my grandmother and my aunt started looking for me since I disappeared and my mom wouldn't tell them where I was. It took them 6 months to find me and once they did my family took the home to court and got me out of there. The judge said he had never seen a child as scared as I was in court and the abuse in the home would be put under investigation.  This was the first lawsuite brought against the home and the ones that ran it.
I still have nightmares to this place. And my mother and I didn't speak for over 5 years after I left the place.  She would not allow me to come back home so I had to go and live with other family members.  I would love to hear from anyone who was there when I was.  I don't remember many names only faces. My email is [email protected]. It has taken me many years to work through this experience. And have just recently told my children about it. This experience in this place led to several other tragic things happening to me and it has taken me years to forgive my mother for what she did to me.
Title: Re: Bethesda Home for Girls
Post by: BlueDogs77 on May 08, 2012, 09:22:13 AM
I have not had a chance to read through this entire thread but will as I can stomach it. My name is Darlene and when I was at Bethesda Home for Girls I believe it was later in either 81 or 82. I never made it off of "new girl status" as I, and a slowly growing group of girls devised a plan to get word out out to our parents since our required weekly letters home were heavily policed. I can recall the first letter I wrote being thrown back in my face again by an angry worker named Lisa. I used to remember her last name but have blocked it out apparently. She was mean and hateful and took great joy in making other girls miserable. Short, stout, and with a nose that looked like a pigs snout, her beady eyes shot daggers at you and when she was seen walking towards you, girls SCATTERED.

I have so much to say but wanted to add a quick post to let people who may be searching for others there at the same time know I was here. I had a few good friends there, a wild and curly haired red head who I want to call Patti but am unsure if that is her name now. A pretty blonde haired girl named Selena I believe, a brunette who looked much like me who I used to trade clothes with at times named Mary Beth I think, a blonde headed girl who was not a helper but was not on new girl status that pretended to be saved so while my helper Becky (she was such a witch) had chores to do outside would often "watch me" for her. It got so lax that she would often have 4 or more "new girls" to watch and we would sit in the back of the room hidden by the front bunk beds pretending to play Skip Bo or Uno while we really talked about our favorite songs, tv shows, etc. which of course were all things that were strictly off limits. Whispering to each other while someone took turns keeping "watch" by the door for us and breaking many rules especially the one where new girls were not allowed to talk to each other or even look at each other.

The things that may make me stand out and trigger a memory for someone:

I was from California and people always remarked about my "California accent".
I have bluegreen eyes, am short at 5' 1" have curly unruly frizzy brunette hair which I kept cut short in the front and "feathered" as was the style then, and long in the back.
I was the one who got narked on by some girl who was in on the plan that got "saved" before we could fully execute it. Here are the details of what went down:

"Patti" (I think that was her name but may not have been) had been told by her mother (in order to get her to go there willingly we discovered when we got busted) that if she would agree to go and didn't like it she could send her mom a letter with the code "Did our dog have her puppies yet?" which would alert her mother that all was not well and she wanted to go home because their dog was spayed.

She wrote the letter and the plan was she would get out and smuggle out letters and addresses to other girls parents so when on the outside she could freely warn them of the horrors going on in that home. Code was written in bibles (I kept mine for many years but have no idea what ever happened to it now) using a system of circling andor underlining the numbers and letters needed to spell out someones parents names and addresses. To the uneducated eye it simply looked as if there was normal high lighting of certain passages, etc. as was common in everyone's bible for whatever reason (favorite verse, need to memorize, etc. etc.) Each person had it in a unique color until we ran out of color options and then started over again so there was no confusing it. Names first, then street address, then street name, city, state, zip code and perhaps even a phone number following it.

Our idea was that at least ONE of our parents would also pull us from the school and that way whomever got out could also verify and back up Patti's claims. I wrote two letters to my mother, sealed them in envelopes and sewed one of them into the stomach of a teddy bear after removing some of the stuffing and folding it carefully. For not knowing how to sew well I did an amazing job. The seam was perfect, you could not tell the bear's original stitching had been removed and resewn again. Odd because until this day I can't even hem a dang pair of pants. The second was placed inside the lining of a purse she planned to take with her as well. Same thing as the teddy bear, carefully removed the stitching on the lining at the bottom of the purse or perhaps the top under the lip of the outer part of the purse which would have hid it better, slipped the letter inside ensuring it was pliable, flat, and would not be found during the search of her articles she would have to go through before being allowed to leave, and sewn up expertly.

Everything was going as planned (or so we thought) and this conspiracy went on for a while before we got narked out because Patti received a letter back from her mom stating that "Yes, the dog had puppies but there were some "complications" and the dog needed to go to the vet and she would update her when she knew something." We, being deliriously hopeful and soooo nieve all came to the conclusion that her mother was working on getting Patti out and perhaps was having issues backing out of the contract she probably signed when she enrolled Patti there. Blissfully unaware that Patti's mother never intended on letting her out of there before her year was up at least and was instilling stalling tactics. I remember Patti being excited and writing back a letter asking what type of complications the dog was having and I believe we got busted before her mothers next response.

I'll never forget that day. I came in from either lunch or bible study with Becky my prison guard and the nice girl who used to watch us (she was funny and crazy as hell too BTW, would love to find her again even if only online) was sitting wide eyed on the bunk across from mine and Becky's in our room. I recall her looking at me in that way that makes the hair on your arms stand straight up and I asked her as non-chalantly as possible, "What's wrong?" (why do I want to say Lisa or Laura or something here??? What was her name??? Arrggghh) She kept staring straight at me and with a look of utter shock and horror on her face which she was desperately trying to hide in front of Becky she said.... "I don't know, Mama and Lisa just came in here and took a purse and a teddy bear off of your bed."

Those words caused my heart to turn to ice. My stomach dropped and I'm sure I turned about 15 sheets of white in a split second. Nervously I asked, "What did they want with them?" She shook her head back and forth with great care never breaking eye contact with me and said very slowly, "I don't know.... but Mama did not look happy." At this point she was in a cold sweat as I could see it all over her face. She got up and bolted out of the room mumbling a good bye or an excuse to leave. Some how Becky never caught on to this and never even paid attention to our conversation it seemed.

Within minutes, just enough time for me to feel as if I was going to wet myself out of sheer terror, Lisa the worker who every one feared marched into our room, looked at me with a gleam in her eye and a wicked smile and said, "Come with me to the office, Mama wants to see you." Ice filled my veins, my legs went weak and I remember when I slowly got up from my bunk Lisa gladly leaned forward, roughly grabbed my arm, and "helped me along" to the office. The story goes on from there but I've written enough for now. Anyone involved in this fiasco will recognize something I've said.

I'll be checking into this forum and reading more posts in hopes of finding anyone who remembers me. Especially the few good friends I felt I had. I hope to reconnect with them in some way and I hope they do remember me.... All the photos I came back with from Bethesda have been lost long ago from moving. I had them for so many years and now they are gone. I wish I still had them but there's no sense in crying over spilt milk. My favorite photo was of me and Mary Beth standing side by side, she had borrowed one of my Gunnesax dresses and I was wearing this frilly and uncomfortable Gunnesax blouse and skirt.

I was there for Thanksgiving and Christmas of whatever year I was there and believe it was February perhaps when we got busted? I know I was still a new girl but had been there almost the 3 months required to get off new girl status when this all blew up in our faces. I was shipped to another school BTW after Mama Wills called my mother asking permission to severely punish me with a paddle. My mother refused and sent me to another school that actually threatened to send kids who misbehaved to a Roloff school. Hahahahahahaha! The kids there were duly impressed that I had been "kicked out" of a Roloff school. LOL

Started in Wisconsin, was kidnapped along with other kids after Child protective services came in and did interviews and smuggled across the border to Illinois to their main school with a small group of kids. My best friend Debbie had been at that school all along and we not only got that place shut down in the biggest fiasco to hit that sleepy town in Iriquois county in Penile, IL but made the newspapers. That story however, is for another day. I wish I had access to the papers archives or even could remember the name of that damned school. I've tried Googling different terms but nothing comes up. The newspaper accused us of snorting aspirin and all sorts of stupid stuff that was not true although that is the place I learned to play the pass out game....

There was a girl there too I'd love to find. While being smuggled to Illinois we were housed one night at some church family's house and her and I stayed up until everyone was asleep, smuggled make up and curling irons, etc. from the downstairs bathroom and snuck out of the house into the snow only to end up at a 24 hour laundromat and no plan. After fixing ourselves up we called our parents collect. Neither call went well.... The police pulled up there and were very sympathetic to our plight but drove us back to that home. Everyone was up eating breakfast and nobody even noticed we had been gone in all the mayhem. LOL

I'll write more later, for now I've written a novel but I hope someone recognizes something. Thank you. I have a Facebook page I would be happy to be contacted on here:

www.facebook.com/boricua.lady67 (http://www.facebook.com/boricua.lady67)

~Darlene~