Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform > The Troubled Teen Industry
Rare video of children being abused at Pasadena boot camp
Reddit TroubledTeens:
TRIGGER WARNING!!
Footage like this is extremely rare, facilities usually don't allow the abuse to be documented. I fail to see how this 'treatment' would help any kid. http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_19202271
Longer story and more info here: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_19202277
One of the men in the video was arrested in May for trying to extort money from a family. He demanded $100 as a down payment to enroll their daughter in his boot camp or he would bring her to a juvenile detention facility for truancy. http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_18495489
cmack:
Thanks for posting. Those are disgusting videos.
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_19202277
--- Quote ---McFarland said he is a recovering alcoholic who at one time was homeless. He said he was turning his own life around at the same time that he was trying to reform troubled children.
The two boot camp instructors parted ways in 2009, when McFarland failed to pass a background check and allegations emerged of inappropriate training methods, Gibbs said.
McFarland launched Family First Growth Camp in Pasadena in 2009. Gibbs said at that time McFarland began recruiting children and instructors away from Gibbs' operation.
McFarland was arrested on May 27 and charged with kidnapping, child abuse, false imprisonment, extortion and unlawful use of a badge. The charges stem from a May 16 incident during which McFarland allegedly handcuffed a truant Pasadena Unified School District high school student and extorted money from her family.
According to testimony given in a pre-trial hearing, McFarland told the victim's family that he would take the girl to a juvenile detention center unless the family enrolled her in his Family First Growth Camp.
--- End quote ---
Read more: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci ... z1c1Fbl9tD
Just the kind of people you want working with kids.
Ursus:
For previous coverage of this case, see:
* Boot camp director arrested
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=37263
Here's an earlier article I had originally prepped for posting in that thread, but didn't get around to doing so in time... Might as well post it here so we know who we're dealing with:
-------------- • -------------- • --------------
abc7 · KABC-TV · Los Angeles, CA
Man arrested after allegedly posing as truancy officer, handcuffing teen
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Kelvin McFarland, 40, was arrested after police said he posed as a truancy officer and handcuffed a 14-year-old girl. (KABC Photo)
PASADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- A man who runs a boot camp for kids in Pasadena was arrested after police said he posed as a truancy officer and handcuffed a 14-year-old girl.
Pasadena police said Kelvin McFarland, 40, then took the teen to a family member's house and demanded money for his services.
McFarland then allegedly tried to persuade the family to enroll the child in his business, Family 1st Growth Camp.
McFarland is being held on $285,000 bail and faces charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment and extortion.
Copyright ©2011 ABC Inc., KABC-TV/DT Los Angeles, CA.
Ursus:
Comments left for the just above article, "Man arrested after allegedly posing as truancy officer, handcuffing teen" (June 08, 2011; abc7/KABC-TV):
1 Cause_I_Do_Care · 6/8/11 9:11 AM PDT
### is wrong with these people???2 ldlovesmusic · 6/8/11 9:11 AM PDT
POS Lock him up for 25 years3 rainjarden · 6/8/11 9:18 AM PDT
Hmmm... I am thinking he needs to revise his business model...4 mrharleyquinn87 · 6/8/11 9:51 AM PDT
I know this man personally and professionally and he has done nothing but bring peace to the family and teens his organization reaches out to. He is a outstanding community leader who made a made choice. But nothing should be taken away from the good he has done. SARGENT MAC were standing by you! FAMILY 1st!5 srodrigu · 6/8/11 10:45 AM PDT
doesn't sound like he was being very professional when he cuffed her and presented himself as someone he is not....6 rock5ash12 · 6/8/11 11:02 AM PDT
You know it is bad enough when you trying to get kids back on the right path you get a scumbag like this trying to exploit them.7 luvwhenuhateme · 6/8/11 11:02 AM PDT
Just another piece of ### who is going to the big house for a long time.......goodbye Mr. Wanna Be cop! You have to earn that title sorry buddy!8 MISSE2U · 6/8/11 11:46 AM PDT
#4 I understand your concern regarding your friend, however, those of us who do not know him think he is a creep. Why on God's earth, would he take someone's kid against their will. First off that is straight kidnapping, and then DEMAND that the child be enrolled in his program. Wrong approach sir. Sargent Mac, needs professional help buddy sorry:( 9 much_smarter_than_you · 6/8/11 12:43 PM PDT
#4 - What is a strange man (who is NOT law enforcement) HANDCUFFED your kid and took him/her somewhere??? This was just about the worst decision he could ever make. Pure stupidity.10 Mike.sigmond · 6/8/11 1:17 PM PDT
#4 ,He may be a nice guy, but he made a bad move here and its not good. no one here knows you either, you could be a wacko too, not saying it ,just saying.
Copyright ©2011 ABC Inc., KABC-TV/DT Los Angeles, CA.
Reddit TroubledTeens:
First link I posted:
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_19202271
Watch: videos show tactics of teen boot camps in Pasadena
Posted: 10/26/2011 09:07:48 PM PDT
Before viewing the videos in question, readers should be aware that they are disturbing and not suitable for viewing by children.
PASADENA - Two disturbing videos obtained by this newspaper offer an inside look at Pasadena-based boot camps.
The videos were created at least two years ago. One shows Kelvin "Sgt. Mac" McFarland forcing children to gorge themselves on water. The children in the video struggle to drink the water and several are seen vomiting as a result.
The second video shows a boy crying as he carries a truck tire around his neck. McFarland and three other boot camp instructors - at least one of whom was allegedly on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps at the time - can been seen screaming at the boy and coaxing him to say he "loves his sergeant."
The boy falls to his knees in tears and for a time it appears that he too is going to vomit.
**************************
COMMENTS:
Reddit TroubledTeens
This is extremely rare video as most 'troubled teen' facilities are closed environments and don't allow the abuse to be documented. Kudos to Pasadena Star News for obtaining it and publicizing it. There are hundreds of facilities in the US that use similar tactics to 'break' a child. Forced water and scream therapy are just a few, they also use sleep deprivation, isolation, withholding food, physical exertion, forced labor and many other torturous techniques. These places exist in all 50 states, it is a billion-dollar industry. More info here: http://www.reddit.com/r/troubledteens/c ... like_most/
Reply · 1 · Like · Unfollow Post · 5 hours ago
David Lutzeier
Don't these idiot's know that drinking too much water can lead to Hyponatremia??? They can certainly die from being forced to drink too much water, if you have a decrease in Sodium in your blood that's great enough you would have a dead child. If this is how you instill discipline in children this is disgusting. Why don't one of these "soldiers" pick on a person their own size? Do parents voluntarily put their children in these programs? If so they should be punished as well as the people abusing the kids on the video.
Reply · 3 · Unlike · Follow Post · 13 hours ago
Frank Larez · Los Angeles, California
I would Love to See All The Taggers And Gang Members Go there "
Reply · 1 · Like · Follow Post · 13 hours ago
Anthony Connelly · Cincinnati, Ohio
It's no wonder that kids are dying in these places. Google: Martin Lee Anderson, his death was captured on video, he was killed by several boot camp staff in florida.....and every one of the staff involved was acquitted. I guess murder is okay if you run a teen program. Federal legislation has been introduced to end this type of abuse and death: H.R. 3126 and S.1667
Reply · Like · Follow Post · 3 hours ago
Collin Mitchell · Ellison High School
Wtf is wrong with this people? They need a life. Trying to scar children for eternity is what Satin does and Satin lives in the underworld. That's why he is there burning in that wretched place, I oughta go beat some sense into these people.
Reply · Like · Follow Post · 2 hours ago
Daniel Dupill · University of Southern California
I agree that the videos are disturbing and should be seen; however, the blurring of the face of boy with the tire is totally inadequate. Anyone who knows him would recognize him. Please modify so that his privacy is protected.
Reply · Like · Follow Post · 4 hours ago
Sheila Wilson
These are troubled children that they are trying to "break". Just as they do in boot camp to adults. However... They are only showing a portion of a "clip" that was recorded.
Reply · Like · Follow Post · about an hour ago
George Martin Diaz · Alhambra, California
dood !!!there other ways to teach honor, loyalty ,courage ,....its called Little league baseball ...blow hards.just raisin MONSTERS!!
Reply · Like · Follow Post · 12 hours ago
Hailey Hubacek · Grafton, Wisconsin
I hope these boot camps are shut down and each of the "soldiers" who witnessed, made, and recorded these videos are arrested for ATLEAST 5 years
Reply · Like · Follow Post · 3 hours ago
Tony Venti · Surfside, California
LOOKS LIKE A WHOLE BUNCH OF UNDERACHIEVERS GOT TOGETHER AND OPENED A CAMP..
WHAT WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT?
Reply · Like · Follow Post · 11 hours ago
Anthony Connelly · Cincinnati, Ohio
This is sick....these staff are sick people and should not be allowed around children.
Reply · Like · Follow Post · 3 hours ago
James Smith · Pasadena, California
WHAT IS GOING ON? WHAT IS GOING ON? THIS IS NOT, AND I REPEAT NOT O.K.!!!
Reply · Like · Follow Post · 12 hours ago
Reddit TroubledTeens
No, it is not OK! There are hundreds of facilities like this one, more info here: http://www.reddit.com/r/troubledteens/c ... like_most/. They must be stopped, kids should not be abused like this!
Reply · Like · 5 hours ago
James Smith · Pasadena, California
If no one is going to do anything about this, I will!
Reply · Like · Follow Post · 12 hours ago
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version