I just learned that the Mother of 'ONE' of the "children" who died needlessly in this lucrative, out-of-control industry, has passed away. Her name is Candice Takeuchi. Her daughter DeeDee died in the Vision Quest program. It was through the Outside Magazine article that Candice learned of my crusade and contacted me.
I received the news of Candice's death from her son yesterday. He told me that his Mom was never the same after DeeDee died. But then, I knew this myself because Candice and I not only worked together, but shared our grief with one another.
Candice was the one who first started the list of children who died in Wilderness Therapy/Boot Camp Programs. We worked together on this list for years. Behavior Modification program deaths were later added to the list. Others have kept the list going and sadly enough this list has grown to an overwhelming number.
While it appears that Candice died of a heart attack. Those who knew and cared about her, know that the death of DeeDee left Candice with a broken heart. The deaths of these "children" leave behind a Mother, Father, Grandmother, Grandfather, Sister, Brother, Aunt, Uncle, Niece, Nephew, Cousins, Friends, Neighbors, Teachers, etc.
The most recent death is a boy who died while in the so-called care of Aspen Youth Care. It is my understanding that this boys death was preventable.
I would like to see the words "PREVENTABLE DEATH" next to the names of the "children" on the Troubled Teen Death List who died of preventable causes. I believe it would be MANY if not ALL the "children" on this list.
I hope the GAO will look into this and report on their findings.
Sincerely,
Michelle Sutton Memorial Fund, Inc.
Catherine Sutton
