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Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch - new entry on the wiki

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Ursus:
Responses 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
how could my nephew cody disappear in thin air .we are prayin for u cody to come back home to us we miss and love.William Miller · 06. Aug, 2010 at 3:01 am
I was Cody’s foster parent when he was little I know how troubled he is he and I got along very well if I can help let me know
Tell him I love him
Willie miller

# #

Pile of Dead Kids:
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.

Ursus:
Whether or not this may have been coincidental, after David Krug posted the above blog entry, 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
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.

Ursus:
Rhonda Morris would be the mum who first posted about the kids missing from Pinehaven on David Krug's blog entry (above).

Video news coverage at the link...

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

WTHITV.com · [Terre Haute, Indiana]
4 Valley teens missing in Montana

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

Kate Greene




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.

Ursus:
Comments left for the above article, "4 Valley teens missing in Montana" (by Kate Greene, 04 Aug 2010, WTHItv.com):


bigmamatat 0p  · 1 week ago
One of the children is my grandson, Thomas Morson. If anyone has any information about this situation please contact me... 812-208-3090 My name is Joseph Morson (Grandpa Joe). This is the first an only news that I have heard about his dissapereance. Thank you.angelic82 2p  · 1 week ago
Cody's is my brother in law and his mom is in Montana right now. I had her call the Missing Children's Hotline and she is posting flyers for Cody. She is working with people trying to find him.[/list]
JamesPMason 60p  · 1 week ago
It is important to note that although Pinehaven and Lake County report only one Alumni are making allegations, there are actually dozens of former residents working towards changing the facility's policies in order to protect children in a way that they were not protected.

Adults run from responsibility, children run from fear. Children have been running from this facility for decades. There is a reason that they are running. Unfortunately for the children living there, the Larssons are masters at rhetoric and are powerful enough in the area to avoid any true investigative action.

The facility has experienced a mass exodus of staff over the past six months, many of which have made reports of abuse and institutional hardships as their reason for resigning. Bob Larsson has been notified of specific physical abuse (choking) by a former staff member, yet the abuser is still working at the facility in a leadership and training capacity.

My thouhts and prayers go out to the family of these boys. May they return to safety soon, wherever that may be.CrowWoman 42p  · 1 week ago
I belong to a church that was notified back in March of abuse allegations against Pinehaven Christian Children's Ranch. Our Missions Committee met with Mr. Larsson back in May and noted serious concerns. We found out that there are no medical professionals on staff, nor are there any professionals in Psychology or Counseling. Mr. Larsson told us that children on meds for conditions such as ADD, ADHD are brought to the Ranch and weaned off their medications. He said there was a doctor in St. Ignatius who oversees this, yet one former resident told me that he never saw the doctor--ever--while he was being weaned from his meds. Pinehaven is unlicensed and unregulated. Unlike other Christian groups with which I am familiar, Pinehaven provides no regular financial statements to supporters. There is no independent Board of Directors consisting of business/medical professionals.anonymous1709 23p  · 1 week ago
Please contact me! I would love to speak to you personally... My number is 561 633 0961, or email me at mnmlive@live.com. Please call or email me with any questions or comments. Thank you[/list]
CrowWoman 42p  · 1 week ago
Other groups our church supports usually includes regular financial statements with their mailings. Usually, a charity sends out annual reports with a statement from a CPA. Looking at an organization's website, you expect to see names and qualifications of directors and staff. Statistics about the program's long-term success. A list of board members and their backgrounds. As church members, and possibly because Bob Larsson is from Illinois, we don't notice the red flags popping up everywhere.[/list][/list]
CrowWoman 42p  · 1 week ago
From an e-mail from Bob Larsson to our church dated July 24: "Regarding your latest criticism that the sheriff's report did not include interviews with the kids themselves, that was taken care of this week by a visit from the County protection services who found no complaints." What Mr. Larsson did not mention was that two children were already missing from the Ranch.ForCody 2p  · 1 week ago
Thank you for putting that so well. It makes me sick to think what these poor children are going through and what all the people before them went through. Everything needs checks and balances. To be totally cut off from everything except the uncertified staff at Pinehaven gives the staff a ridiculous and unneeded power and these children a feeling of helplessness when something is going completely wrong. One of the mothers sensed something was very wrong but her son couldn't tell her because all of his communication was monitored. So he took matters into his own hands and now look where we all are! He left days before she was to fly out and see him.[/list]
Qhoeleth 20p  · 1 week ago
Seems to me we are missing some stuff here. From the article, at least one of these kids was sent to Pinehaven under court order. Hysterical parent(s) notwithstanding, this is a dysfunctional youth and, statistically, most likely from a dysfunctional home which is why the State took the youth out of the home and put him in the care of others. Do not be surprised when delinquent kids act like delinquent kids even in a new setting. It took mom (and perhaps dad) 14, 16, 18 years to screw him up. No residential program can fix that over night.

The article also referred to Pinehaven as "a church camp". It isn't a church camp anymore than boot camp is Boy Scout camp. If Chance and the others thought he would have Bible classes in the morning, a nap after lunch, softball in the afternoon and a talent show in the evening, somebody didn't level with him. That place is a working ranch and the youth learn to do physical work. I wonder if any of these boys ever did a lick of work before they got to Montana. I suspect that some of these youth were on a direct route to a life in prison before the court intervened and sent them to Montana...which is probably a whole lot nicer than jail would have been.

What I'd like to see are statistics that compare the success rate of Pinehaven with our tax-supported J/D facilities complete with their license and their medical personnel.OBVIOUSTRUTH 40p  · 1 week ago
Actually some of the boys did run away from the summer church camp that Pine Haven runs down by the lake. It really is break from the hard work of the Pine Haven Ranch. Trout fishing campfires smores bibles and songs. It is usually a welcomed vacation from bucking hay and most of the kids will have to had been on the best behavior to go and also had the school work up to date and passing.anonymous1709 23p  · 1 week ago
JUST SO U KNOW... I AM SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE... I LIVED AT THAT RANCH FOR FOUR YEARS... I WAS "PUNISHED" UNTIL MY HEART MUSCLES LITERALLY RIPPED... I WAS TAKEN TO A DOCTOR WHO STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT I HAVE SURGERY. MY HOUSEPARENTS TOLD ME NOT TO TELL MY PARENTS AND TRIED TO HEAL ME WITH VITAMINS. I AM ANGRY. YOU SIR, OBVIOUSLY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. I TOLD YOU TO LOCK YOURSELF IN A CLOSET BECAUSE THATS WHAT I DELT WITH THERE. Of course the children graduate... that is their only hope of escape unless they run away. We all get baptized before we leave because we know that reduces our punishments. Before we are baptized, we stay isolated and "grounded" 98% of the time. I, specifically, was constantly reminded that if I was baptized, God would "fix" me and I would not be in trouble so much. I speak from pain that won't go away. 6 years later, in a wonderful relationship with beautiful children, I cry remembering what I went through while I was there...anonymous1709 23p  · 1 week ago
I am ashamed that I did not try to say anything earlier. Please be careful how you speak. I have much more "experience" than you think... No, my children were not taken away by the court... they are and will ever remain by my side. I will see to it that I NEVER put my children through any situation like Pinehaven. I encourage you to read the discussions on facebook and other web sites from Pinehaven alumni. This isn't an elaborate story from hundreds of bitter children. This is a cry for help. And your voice is the same voice we have been hearing for years. "they're all liars."anonymous1709 23p  · 1 week ago
Please contact Bob Larsson and ask him about the boy who ran away and killed himself with brake fluid. Or about the two girls that were raped by their own teacher at the "relaxing summer camp". Or about the houseparent who was forced to leave after sleeping with another boy on the ranch. Or about Bob Larsson's own son, who was forced to step down from his responsibilities at the ranch because of a two-year affair.
I apologize if i sound mean sir. I'm hurt and upset that you would talk to me like that not understanding what exactly we have gone through. I feel like i'm still stuck asking for help and you're laughing like its a joke.
Its not funny.[/list]
JamesPMason 60p  · 2 days ago
Qhoeleth,

You asked about statistics that compare the success rate of Pinehaven compared to Juvenile Detention facilities. Here's some stats for you.

Throughout the US, juveniles released from JD before their 16th birthday are 45% likely to return by the age of 18 and 25% likely to be incarcerated as adults either before their 18th birthday or after. Juveniles releasaed from JD between 16 and 18/19 are 85% likely to be incarcerated as adults if released.

Now Pinehaven. From three years of gathering research, we have found a total of 17 people since 1990 who have left Pinehaven and not had serious trouble within the first 18 months (i.e. incarceration, arrest, drug use, pre-marital pregnancy, homelessness, suicide, attempted suicide). Total, we have found less than 40 students who have attended college, and less than 25 who have graduated with a Bachelor's Degree. We have discovered a near 100% rate of depression, and consistent cases of incidental anxiety.JamesPMason 60p  · 2 days ago
We have yet to find a single person to say that they were fully equipped to deal with the financial responsibilities necessary to operate in the "real world".

If you have any further questions, feel free to call me at 912-414-7103[/list]
CrowWoman 42p  · 1 week ago
Qhoeleth's response appears to be a variation of what we were told when our church inquired about the abuse allegations. There was no acknowledgement that the allegations might be true, nor did Pinehaven invite an investigation to determine if they were true. (Any investigating, as we understood it, was the result of Krug's allegations and possibly our follow-up.) Rather than acknowledge that something may have happened, we were repeatedly told how delinquent the children are. The truth is, though, that "delinquent" kids can be abused and are actually more vulnerable to it. No matter how obnoxious they might be, nothing justifies the abuse discussed on their Facebook site and elsewhere.CrowWoman 42p  · 1 week ago
One of our members sent a letter of concern to the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation. This letter detailed the allegations found on the Pinehaven alumni Facebook site and included material taken from the "In their Words: An Uncensored Account" publication. Interestingly, this member's letter was sent back to the church--from Pinehaven. Apparently, the Montana DCI sent the letter to the Lake County Sheriff's Office which then shared it with Pinehaven. We then wondered if abuse allegations from students, staff, or house parents would be likewise shared, which would seem to be a breach of confidentiality. If this type of sharing occurs between Pinehaven and the County law enforcement, we suspect few are willing to say much.angelic82 2p  · 1 week ago
Cody is my brother in law and we need to find him please everyone band together and get these kids home safely. We miss Cody and need him home.emeek75 1p  · 1 week ago
I was in pinehaven from 1990 to 1993 I enjoyed my time there i was not abused there. Our form of punishment was to write sentences or do extra chore such as bullpen duty or working on the rock pile and we didnt get to enjoy some of the other things that the ones who were not grounded got to enjoy. But all in all i enjoyed my time and experience there if it wasnt for them I wouldve been in more trouble than what i was in at that present time. I am sorry for what is going on out there and I hope the families are reunited with their loved ones. But I dont have anything bad to say about my pinehaven experience. I even graduated from their school which I know for a fact that I would not have finished school if I had not went there.David 49p  · 1 week ago
Emeek75,
I agree Pinehaven can be a good place for kids. But since 1993 when I arrived and now the abuse allegations have been increasing at a rate of massive worry.

2 students were raped there in 2003, and at that time alumni began asking for safeguards to protect kids and we've been ignored, and demonized.

Pinehaven uses its local influence to refute allegations and put an end to investigations. Very sad.

Glad your doing well though :)

Check out our alumni board to reconnect with old friends: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49217397043...[/list][/list]
saxsellers 1p  · 1 week ago
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the boys and their families. I had a chance to work with Cody last summer. It was good to get to know him a little. Again, my prayers go out for them and family. God bless.larrywanders 62p  · 1 week ago
Interesting letter written to Pinehaven in 2009 and published online. 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
Larry,
Yes all the local media acts like this issue doesnt exist. The whole thing that's because thats how far Pinehaven's influence is. Imagine trying to get any investigation into wrongdoing at all.[/list]
irwincpa 1p  · 1 week ago
I am Adam Irwin's grandfather. The artical s vey one sided. Pinehaven does a very good job with the children who go there. I am sure that the strict schedule and work requirements are a problem for many. The childern all have work to do on the ranch. they are linitedas to their dress, the amount of tv and music they see, how they keep their rooms etc. the children that go there all have problems, thih school, drugs, the law etc. so their time is filled with school, work , and activities under strict control of the staff. Adam got homesick after his mother visited in June. The staff treats the children very well and most respond well but a very few do not and make all types of false claims Douglas Irwinsouthernillimom 2p  · 1 week ago
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. But I have to respectfully disagree with some of what you said. Just because these kids are troubled is no reason to automatically discount what they have to say. Yes, being in that type of structured environment would seem awful to a child at first but after a while they would come around. It has been my observation that the people who post to the facebook site and are making the most horrific claims are adults now who have been away from pinehaven for years. I've spent quite alot of time around troubled youth myself. I can tell you that if they are still giving the same account for the abuse years later then odds are it is true.[/list]
Qhoeleth 20p  · 1 week ago
So many things we don't know:
- If the courts sent these young men to Pinehaven, are they still wards of the court? If so, if/when they are caught/found, will the courts still have jurisdiction over them? If so, where are they apt to be sent now?
- How many of these young men have run away from home and/or other facilities to which they have been sent?
- How many of these young men have criminal histories or other police records?
- How many of these young men were in special education classes at their schools because of behavior disorders?
- How many of these young men are from broken homes?

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