Print Page - Escape from Darrington

According to a thread two detainees escaped the facility on August 13 2008: 2 kids escape from darrington academy, Topix Blog (http://http://www.topix.com/forum/blogs/T3GHEB95N43PIJCG8).

Misc:

Another died shortly after being released: Marc Epstein (17) drowned after crashing his new Toyota Scion into a canal, Mydeathspace.com, September 11 2007 (http://http://mydeathspace.com/article/2007/09/11/Marc_Epstein_(17)_drowned_after_crashing_his_new_Toyota_Scion_into_a_canal)

Quote from: "Rotsne"

According to a thread two detainees escaped the facility on August 13 2008: 2 kids escape from darrington academy, Topix Blog (http://http://www.topix.com/forum/blogs/T3GHEB95N43PIJCG8).

Shucks. Sorry I didn't notice this earlier... I'm not sure if there was an actual article or blog piece generating this comment thread or whether said thread originated on its own. At any rate, at this late date, I could not find such a piece. Nevertheless, those comments cover quite a lot of ground and contain some interesting material...

Comments left in the Topix Blog thread, "2 kids escape from darrington academy (http://http://www.topix.com/forum/blogs/T3GHEB95N43PIJCG8)," #s1-20:

#1 Concerned citizen Merritt Island, FL · Aug 13, 2008

2 kids from darrington escaped today at about 4;30 pm they might have gone in the woods but we are not sure.#2 Humm Seattle, WA · Aug 14, 2008

Can you blame them if they were being sexually abused?#3 Deeply concerned citizen Auburn, AL · Aug 30, 2008

#4 Darrington Survivor Lexington, KY · Jan 14, 2009

#5 Wendell Plymouth, ME · Jan 14, 2009

You reply to this 4 months later? You've been brainwashed.#6 the one Katy, TX · Jan 31, 2009

i would love to kno the name of the darringtona survivor#7 the one Katy, TX · Jan 31, 2009

i would love to kno who darrington survivor is#8 kcinotik Southold, NY · Jan 31, 2009

haha i was there that day...a few days later darrington beat the shit out of a kid then sent him to jail...whoever darrington survivor is is retarded....Darrington academy is the most corrupt place i have ever been....#9 Soon Gone Pensacola, FL · Feb 10, 2009

Well. I am wonderng how much of this is true because i am going to Darrington Academy in less than two weeks. And this concerns me. I guess I will have to see how things work for me..#10 Tom survived Albany, GA · Feb 15, 2009

Soon Gone wrote:
Well. I am wonderng how much of this is true because i am going to Darrington Academy in less than two weeks. And this concerns me. I guess I will have to see how things work for me..[/list][/size]run away i went there u do not want to go get out while u can[/list]
#11 Tom survived Albany, GA · Feb 15, 2009

kcinotick what family were you in and when did u go home#12 Tom survived Albany, GA · Feb 15, 2009

first of all how did you find out that these kids ran?Another thing 2 kids ran they were gone from 4:30 and then got caught going across a highway and 2 or 3 in the morning they were put in 2 small rooms called intervention there hands were tied behind their backs and feet too their shoes were muddy and on the grass by intervention.for 2 or 3 days breakfast lunch and dinner was peanut butter and jelly one kid acted out mr.darrington apparently punched him and knocked him out.Chaperones told us that both kids got sent away to Jamaica funny thing is that one of them is on facebook and he is home#13 Karsten Chrum Copenhagen, Denmark · Feb 17, 2009

#14 Mitch Albany, GA · Feb 18, 2009

I just thinks its funny that people who havent been there or know what we went through are telling us whats going on at these places just let it go you really make yourself look stupid acting like you know more than the people who have been there.#15 Mitch Albany, GA · Feb 18, 2009

Also where are you getting this information about local authorities interviewing kids is this happening now or what?#16 Jenna Delray Beach, FL · Feb 24, 2009

you guys are nuts. I am a Darrington survivor. i graduated. I am not brainwashed at all. I party and have fun. they didnt beat kidas or do any shit like that tho.. it did suck but hey it happens.#17 Big_Bear Home is where you park it · Feb 24, 2009[/i]

Jenna wrote:
you guys are nuts. I am a Darrington survivor. i graduated. I am not brainwashed at all. I party and have fun. they didnt beat kidas or do any shit like that tho.. it did suck but hey it happens.[/list][/size]What is Darrington exactly? A school for "problem" teens?

My wife and I took in a couple runaways from an "academy" in Idaho. They were 18, so they more or less left on their own. We let them stay a couple days until they could raise bus fare back home to their parents. One girl's father called me, pretty upset, but I told him his daughter was a legal adult who could do as she pleased and he would have to deal with her on her terms, now.

BTW, these girls weren't juvenile delinquents. One would occasionally sneak out to party, but neither had drug problems, criminal records, etc. Just overprotective parents who had the $$$ to dish out for this academy place.[/list]
#18 THE ONE THAT KNOWS Villa Rica, GA · Feb 26, 2009

this for jenna, darrington and john started kicking kids asses after you left the program...the program had structure when you was there...but when john and darrington started taking over it just went down hill...they placed cam's in the girls dorms...and april just started loosing her damn mind...lol, well just to let you know they are shutting down friday and they already shipped out most of the kids...i hope you are doing well jenna it was nice working with you i hope our work paid off for you...#19 THE ONE THAT KNOWS Villa Rica, GA · Feb 24, 2009

HERE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT SHOULD NEVER WORK WITH KIDS AGAIN... JIM, HOWIE, APRIL, JOHN G, DARRINGTON, PAIGE, ROLLAN, PATSY, JOYCE, SARAH...WELL THAT'S ALL THE STAFF YOU KNOW ABOUT AT DARRINGTON... THEY ALL STARTED RESTRAINING KIDS LIKE CRAZY...THIS MSG IS FOR JENNA...I MISSED THE ADMINS WHO RAN THAT PLACE WITH RESPECT... #20 Matin-Darrington Survivor Seattle, WA · Feb 27, 2009

yo darrington just shut down! woot woot! I came home but almost the whole facility got sent to Red River so it sucks for them. and i remember when those kids ran. it was funny as hell. one got sent to jail and the other got sent to TB but theyre both at home now probably.

Copyright ©2011 Topix LLC

Comments left in the Topix Blog thread, "2 kids escape from darrington academy (http://http://www.topix.com/forum/blogs/T3GHEB95N43PIJCG8)," #s 21-44:

#21 Anti WWASP Pompano Beach, FL · Mar 1, 2009

Yah I remember that, but i dont think they were ever sent to Tranquility Bay or Jail , there was a parent who said that a staff memeber at darrington academy told her it would be best that she pick up her son from a nearest gas station so kids at the facilty would think he got sent to TB, its up to your parents whether you go home or to another program, and "THE ONE THAT KNOWS" I dont think rollan and howie should be on that list but i strongly agree when you say jim and april#23 JFo Clermont, FL · Mar 2, 2009

I still wanna know why it shut down?#24 THE ONE THAT KNOWS Atlanta, GA · Mar 2, 2009

one big reason they shut the school down was becuz of john and rich placed cam's in the girls dorms...#25 jhernandez Lake Worth, FL · Mar 3, 2009

so why did they put cameras in teh girls dorms?! i always got the vibe that darrington was a pervert. i hate that man.#26 Holly Jay, FL · Mar 3, 2009

Soon Gone wrote:
Well. I am wonderng how much of this is true because i am going to Darrington Academy in less than two weeks. And this concerns me. I guess I will have to see how things work for me..[/list][/size]Personally i was there for 15 mounths it was way worse when i got there,but i agreee with the other person that said get out while u can jsut think about it do u want to be beatin or abused i wouldnt.BUt its all over now but hten they will just send u to anohter program.So maybe u mite go to a program where they dont beat u or sexually abuse u.have fun!!!!!!!![/list]
#27 the one Katy, TX · Mar 3, 2009

Im the one that made Dariington Academy go under investigation...It feels good knowing that I am the reason why Darrington was shutdown last week, The man assaulted me and lied to the police saying I attacked him and the truth came out wit a firing of an employee who was present....He ran a school about consequences and now he has to face the consequences.#29 staffed that seminar Fayetteville, NC · Mar 3, 2009

jhernandez wrote:
so why did they put cameras in teh girls dorms?! i always got the vibe that darrington was a pervert. i hate that man.[/list][/size]they put cameras in to keep people from hurting themselves and keeping idiots from harassing others[/list]
#30 Psy - Michael Crawford Paris, France · Mar 3, 2009

the one wrote:
Im the one that made Dariington Academy go under investigation...It feels good knowing that I am the reason why Darrington was shutdown last week, The man assaulted me and lied to the police saying I attacked him and the truth came out wit a firing of an employee who was present....He ran a school about consequences and now he has to face the consequences.[/list][/size]Karma.[/list]
#31 Psy - Michael Crawford Paris, France · Mar 3, 2009

staffed that seminar wrote:
<quoted text>
they put cameras in to keep people from hurting themselves and keeping idiots from harassing others[/list][/size]Well it's interesting to see it both admitted to and rationalized.[/list]
#32 Psy - Michael Crawford Paris, France · Mar 3, 2009

#33 jhernandez Lake Worth, FL · Mar 4, 2009

the one wrote:
Im the one that made Dariington Academy go under investigation...It feels good knowing that I am the reason why Darrington was shutdown last week, The man assaulted me and lied to the police saying I attacked him and the truth came out wit a firing of an employee who was present....He ran a school about consequences and now he has to face the consequences.[/list][/size]OMG good for you!!! you stood up for yourself! how did the police get involved in the first place?[/list]
#34 animals Stamford, CT · Mar 4, 2009

the one wrote:
Im the one that made Dariington Academy go under investigation...It feels good knowing that I am the reason why Darrington was shutdown last week, The man assaulted me and lied to the police saying I attacked him and the truth came out wit a firing of an employee who was present....He ran a school about consequences and now he has to face the consequences.[/list][/size]thank you. tell us the details
also visit cafety isac heal caica, fica,--organizations that deal with the teen torture and brainwash cultic industry
and visit http://www.fornits.com (http://www.fornits.com) discussion board for victims of industrial cultic torture[/list]
#37 animals Stamford, CT · Mar 4, 2009

Big_Bear wrote:
<quoted text>
What is Darrington exactly? A school for "problem" teens?[/list][/size]"Schools" for "troubled teens" are privately funded gulags where young adults are systematically subjected to mental, and physical, and sexual abuse and torture in to engender in them a "brainwashed" addled state.
They’re almost all run by disciples, or disciples of disciples of the Synanon cult.
Heres a sworn testimony about how it works at these "schools"
http://www.heal-online.org/cedu.htm (http://www.heal-online.org/cedu.htm)
I was Placed at CEDU . Mr. & Mrs. Wasserman, and Michael Allgood cut my hair to just a few inches long. They took my clothes, left me with a few pairs of pants and tops. They sent away the rest . They said they did this to "break my Image".
They [removed my clothes].[someone] examined me .I was told to shower. I was told I couldn't write or see family members for at least 3-6 months and only if I followed the rules. I was brought to a "Rap" session. There were 20 people, at least, all yelling and screaming at each other. I sat there, startled.
Michael Allgood started yelling at me, stating I was not going to sit in these sessions and not speak. I told him this was "new" to me. He said if you want to make it here, you will do what you are told. I started to cry and said I didn't want to stay. He called me a lesbian. He told me that my family didn't want me. That’s why they dumped me there, and the only reason CEDU took me was for the money.
They had "rap Sessions" that lasted 2 days called "profeets." There’d be a group of 20 -25 people. They would lock you in a room with 2 or 3 counselors. They would play Loud music continuously. They would yell, and tell you how fucked up you were, were useless, and would never amount to anything. They would continue until someone would emotionally snap. Then they would move to the next person. We would remain until everyone snapped. There was never food. They said the less we had in our bodies made it easier for them to "cleanse" our souls.
In one profeet they made a black boy wash Michael’s feet. He called him N*** while he washed his feet.
They'd accuse the boys of performing bestiality acts on the animals.
I was told forced bestiality was punishment for the boys. I was blamed for my mothers death.After that I grew up believing my actions caused her death.
The Dorm Leaders usually had been there a long s time. The female ones were mostly lesbian. I had my first Lesbian experience with my dorm leader. If you were straight, you could get "F*** Privileges" if you were interested in someone for 6 months. That rule didn't apply to the staff. If u wanted favors u just had to know the right person. Gay or straight. I ended up living with a counselor; she was the one who turned me out into the Lesbian lifestyle.
They had this punishment called "dishpan for those who tried to run away. The boys had their heads shaved; the girls’ hair was whacked, all uneven.
I was put on dishpan 2 or 3 times, for 2 weeks You would work all day. I once had to clean the bathrooms, with a sign around my neck saying " I AM POISON." I had to clean the bathrooms with buckets of bleach, and a toothbrush. When someone would use the bathroom, I would have to start over. No one could talk to you and you could not talk except to counselors, and only if you were spoken to. The hours were from 6am to 11pm. You had to eat by yourself, quickly. There were NO breaks.
I had to take all the trash out of industrial size trashcans, climb in, clean it with a tooth brush, then put the trash back in. Another time I had to use a toothbrush to clean the pool and kitchen floors, on hands and knees. On my last dishpan, my hands were cracked and bleeding from bleach. I would have to keep putting my hands in the bleach. In the end I couldn't feel them.[/list]
#38 animals Stamford, CT · Mar 4, 2009

Big_Bear wrote:
<quoted text>
What is Darrington exactly? A school for "problem" teens?[/list][/size]"Schools" for "troubled teens" are privately funded gulags where young adults are systematically subjected to mental, and physical, and sexual abuse and torture in to engender in them a "brainwashed" addled state.
They’re almost all run by disciples, or disciples of disciples of the Synanon cult.
Heres a sworn testimony about how it works at these "schools"
http://www.heal-online.org/cedu.htm (http://www.heal-online.org/cedu.htm)
I was Placed at CEDU . Mr. & Mrs. Wasserman, and Michael Allgood cut my hair to just a few inches long. They took my clothes, left me with a few pairs of pants and tops. They sent away the rest . They said they did this to "break my Image".
They [removed my clothes].[someone] examined me .I was told to shower. I was told I couldn't write or see family members for at least 3-6 months and only if I followed the rules. I was brought to a "Rap" session. There were 20 people, at least, all yelling and screaming at each other. I sat there, startled.
Michael Allgood started yelling at me, stating I was not going to sit in these sessions and not speak. I told him this was "new" to me. He said if you want to make it here, you will do what you are told. I started to cry and said I didn't want to stay. He called me a lesbian. He told me that my family didn't want me. That’s why they dumped me there, and the only reason CEDU took me was for the money.
They had "rap Sessions" that lasted 2 days called "profeets." There’d be a group of 20 -25 people. They would lock you in a room with 2 or 3 counselors. They would play Loud music continuously. They would yell, and tell you how fucked up you were, were useless, and would never amount to anything. They would continue until someone would emotionally snap. Then they would move to the next person. We would remain until everyone snapped. There was never food. They said the less we had in our bodies made it easier for them to "cleanse" our souls.
In one profeet they made a black boy wash Michael’s feet. He called him N***r while he washed his feet.
They'd accuse the boys of performing bestiality acts on the animals.
I was told forced bestiality was punishment for the boys. I was blamed for my mothers death.After that I grew up believing my actions caused her death.
The Dorm Leaders usually had been there a long s time. The female ones were mostly lesbian. I had my first Lesbian experience with my dorm leader. If you were straight, you could get "F*** Privileges" if you were interested in someone for 6 months. That rule didn't apply to the staff. If u wanted favors u just had to know the right person. Gay or straight. I ended up living with a counselor; she was the one who turned me out into the Lesbian lifestyle.
They had this punishment called "dishpan for those who tried to run away. The boys had their heads shaved; the girls’ hair was whacked, all uneven.
I was put on dishpan 2 or 3 times, for 2 weeks You would work all day. I once had to clean the bathrooms, with a sign around my neck saying " I AM POISON." I had to clean the bathrooms with buckets of bleach, and a toothbrush. When someone would use the bathroom, I would have to start over. No one could talk to you and you could not talk except to counselors, and only if you were spoken to. The hours were from 6am to 11pm. You had to eat by yourself, quickly. There were NO breaks.
I had to take all the trash out of industrial size trashcans, climb in, clean it with a tooth brush, then put the trash back in. Another time I had to use a toothbrush to clean the pool and kitchen floors, on hands and knees. On my last dishpan, my hands were cracked and bleeding from bleach. I would have to keep putting my hands in the bleach. In the end I couldn't feel them.I was not the same after CEDU[/list]
#39 Psy - Michael Crawford Paris, France · Mar 4, 2009

animals wrote:
<quoted text>
thank you. tell us the details
also visit cafety isac heal caica, fica,--organizations that deal with the teen torture and brainwash cultic industry
and visit http://www.fornits.com (http://www.fornits.com) discussion board for victims of industrial cultic torture[/list][/size]The discussion boards are at http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/ (http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/)

WWASP specific is:

viewforum.php?f=44 (http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=44)[/list]
#40 THE ONE THAT KNOWS Villa Rica, GA · Mar 4, 2009

darrington and john just didn't run the place right...they didn't train any of the staff and they just was on some kind of power trip thing...there was one staff who really cared about the students, thomas...he tried to get rich and john too change a lot of things around there...but instead they let him go...then bam!they was closing the school...#41 Psy - Michael Crawford Paris, France · Mar 4, 2009

THE ONE THAT KNOWS wrote:
darrington and john just didn't run the place right...they didn't train any of the staff and they just was on some kind of power trip thing...there was one staff who really cared about the students, thomas...he tried to get rich and john too change a lot of things around there...but instead they let him go...then bam!they was closing the school...[/list][/size]It's what usually happens to "good" staff members in many programs. They only want people who will follow orders without thinking... who will never question the allmighty OZ.[/list]
#42 Program parent Saint Simons Island, GA · Mar 4, 2009

Big_Bear wrote:
<quoted text>
What is Darrington exactly? A school for "problem" teens?
My wife and I took in a couple runaways from an "academy" in Idaho. They were 18, so they more or less left on their own. We let them stay a couple days until they could raise bus fare back home to their parents. One girl's father called me, pretty upset, but I told him his daughter was a legal adult who could do as she pleased and he would have to deal with her on her terms, now.
BTW, these girls weren't juvenile delinquents. One would occasionally sneak out to party, but neither had drug problems, criminal records, etc. Just overprotective parents who had the $$$ to dish out for this academy place.[/list][/size]Big Bear, These programs for struggling teens help kids learn to be accountable, responsible and respectful and help heal family relationships. They focus on 4 areas: behavior modification where they learn to be accountable for their choices, be responsible and respectful; self esteem and character development to let them know they are good people, they are just making non-working choices (drugs, drinking, defiance, disrespect,lying, skipping school, failing school, stealing, sex, etc.), their academics are of the highest caliber; and family relationships where they learn to live within their family's values, boundaries and house rules. As far as what you were told by the teens you took in about what they were or were not doing, just remember there are 2 sides to every story. Try not to judge a parent for their choices until you have walked in their shoes. If it were not for this program, my child would have been in jail or dead. It was a struggle for us to afford this program. I will be paying off the loan for several more years but at 10 times the price it was worth every penny. How much is too much to save your child's life? My child thanks me almost daily for the "gift" we gave him by placing him in the program. He is doing great since he finished the program and came home. And just a little more info, if he had not finished the program, he would not have been back in our home. He chose to stay after he turned 18 and complete, even though "legally" he could have walked out. What I experience from many of the comments posted from "program kids" is they obviously "faked" their way through the program and did not take advantage of the opportunities that their parents paid dearly for. They have been given "life tools" that if they choose to use them, they can live a purposeful life and have a whole and healthy family again, which was their parent's dreams when they had to make the hardest decision they have ever had to make when they sent their child away to get help. Obviously some of these kids posting never got down to the real issues that caused them to make the non working choices that originally sent them into the program. I say to them, "stop playing the blame game, do your accountability formula and step left." These programs have saved many kids and many families. I know Rich Darrington and all the other staff members mentioned and I think some of these people need to keep their names a secret because you could be subject to a libel lawsuit with the choices you are making and what you are writing.[/list]
#43 The One Katy, TX · Mar 4, 2009

The police got involved with the firing of a shift supervisor who was present when Mr.Darrington himself assaulted me, Mr Darrington also faslified a police report saying that I attacked him...The investigation started a couple of weeks ago when myself and the shift-supervisors wrote statements saying what really happend...I thought nothing would ever come of this until the employee was fired but it feels good because the day I was laying in a pool of blood and then sent to jail, I kept screaming to Mr. Darrington ''Im gonna make you famous motherf***er'' im sure at the time he didnt think it would come back on him..It feels good to have gotten the best of him#44 THE ONE THAT KNOWS Villa Rica, GA · Mar 5, 2009

the one, i hope you are doing well...put your focus in living a good life and continue to playing football...

Copyright ©2011 Topix LLC

Comments left in the Topix Blog thread, "2 kids escape from darrington academy (http://http://www.topix.com/forum/blogs/T3GHEB95N43PIJCG8)," #s 45-64:

#45 Psy - Michael Crawford Paris, France · Mar 5, 2009

Program parent wrote:
I think some of these people need to keep their names a secret because you could be subject to a libel lawsuit with the choices you are making and what you are writing.[/list][/size]Bla bla bla lawsuit.

Last program who tried to sue a survivor ended up paying his legal bills and the suit was dismissed as frivilous.

download/file.php?id=96 (http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/download/file.php?id=96)

As long as the information the person is posting is true, there is nothing to worry about.[/list]
#46 Psy - Michael Crawford Paris, France · Mar 5, 2009

Now comes the flood of information. I've been waiting for an investigation like this for a long time. It's good the authorities are finally doing their jobs.#47 THE ONE THAT KNOWS Villa Rica, GA · Mar 5, 2009

can you sue your employer for wrongful layoff because of your skin color and if you was injured due to lack of training for the staff?#48 the one Katy, TX · Mar 5, 2009

the one that knows, i appreciate it and yah 5 days later i was bak on the field and next year im gonna play college ball, take care and thankyou, it feels good having some closure#49 THE ONE THAT KNOWS Villa Rica, GA · Mar 5, 2009

the one, you need to run track this year so that you would be able to proform better out on the football field, run the 400 or the 200, trust it will do you a lot of good...stay active...#50 truth Ellijay, GA · Mar 6, 2009

THE ONE THAT KNOWS wrote:
darrington and john just didn't run the place right...they didn't train any of the staff and they just was on some kind of power trip thing...there was one staff who really cared about the students, thomas...he tried to get rich and john too change a lot of things around there...but instead they let him go...then bam!they was closing the school...[/list][/size]Ironically so this seems like this is really Thomas writing this statement in order to try and clear his name of any racial or abuse allegations that were made towards him. I heard complaints that Thomas actually made many boys stand outside on the basketball court in just their boxers while yelling at them!! Please he didnt help at all![/list]
#51 jhernandez Lake Worth, FL · Mar 6, 2009

#52 Tommy Boy East Dublin, GA · Mar 6, 2009

all you need to shut up its damn over let the shit be all you are doing right now is bitching let it go and move on with your lives its over its closed you guys all got what you wanted so drop it and you need to realize that there were people there that werent like the rest and they cared and they treated us like normal people all the people that did the shit that pissed us off or whatever it was they will get theres trust me it will come and darrington who made that place its already coming down hard on him so let the shit go and move on#53 Tommy Boy East Dublin, GA · Mar 6, 2009

Also all you people who didnt work there or werent a student there i dont want to hear your shit you didnt go through anything you dont know anything so shutup its so funny seeing these people who werent there or went through anything at that place are telling us how things went down shut your damn mouth you dont know thomas you never met the man once you do then start saying something dont talk shit on the computer#54 ILOVEDARRINGTON East Dublin, GA · Mar 6, 2009

saint simons island program parent how is your son chris doing#55 darrington surrivor Palm Beach Gardens, FL · Mar 7, 2009

THE ONE THAT KNOWS wrote:
HERE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT SHOULD NEVER WORK WITH KIDS AGAIN... JIM, HOWIE, APRIL, JOHN G, DARRINGTON, PAIGE, ROLLAN, PATSY, JOYCE, SARAH...WELL THAT'S ALL THE STAFF YOU KNOW ABOUT AT DARRINGTON... THEY ALL STARTED RESTRAINING KIDS LIKE CRAZY...THIS MSG IS FOR JENNA...I MISSED THE ADMINS WHO RAN THAT PLACE WITH RESPECT...[/list][/size]Hello this is brittany mom im so shock the things i heard from this school my daugter is one of surriviors of this cult they did not let the kids speak to there parents made up alot of things to her and to us as parents made us think that our girl was not cooperating right and not send her the things i send her when it came to people getting there letters and from people who loved her out side they did not give it to her she was the only one never recieved any of my girts and letters and punished all the time for her actions and told us alot of things went on there that she is trying to block out and im a concern mom cause they gave her medication for over 6mths and she is sick now and the over medicated my daughter and she is very sick now high dose of heavey meds all hte time made her believe she had something and no one that loved her out side the program how do you think a child will act and think and get depress even they can commit sucide if they feel like they are not loved by ther mom especially it took her alot ot warm up to me i thought it was something i did just relize she was be lied to about me and now she wont even go back ot school and she is a very worried child they brainwashed my child and now she might have something really serious for be over medicated treated for somthing she does not hav plus she collapse several times in the program and complain
about she was sick they ignored her she could of been teated for the right illness and now it is progressed even more cause they gave her the wrong medicine these stupid people they were worried about if they would loose money then us taking her out to get her to a real doctor this is crazy now we hav to pay from more therapy for her cause this should of been taking care of the right way and we are concern for htose kids that are beening ship to another program it could be the same people again history reapeats it self and can kill your kids spirit and kill them cops and officers been paid off from this school and examiners if there was a wrongfull death you hav to use ur own resources and god bless you if your son or daughter died in a wrongful death all parents and children in this program are on a pray list thank you im looking for a attorney who can here me out please dont heasitate email me at [email protected] (http://mailto:[email protected]) 11 for the surriors of this cult thank you !!!!!![/i][/list][/size]Lynn, I would be interested in knowing if you worked your program as a parent? How many seminars did you attend?[/list]
#58 Itried Huntington Park, CA · Mar 12, 2009

Ok so I worked there. Yes Darrington beat the kids, Yes, they tried to "brainwash" most of them. Unless you were quiet and did exactly what you were told, your life was a living hell. I just heard today that it got shut down after I was laid off. I'm so glad that I don't work there anymore. Those people didn't give a shit about those kids at all. I think if the kids got any help at all it was froma select few chaperones and the actual licensed counselors or doctors that came if your parents paid for that extra bit. I'm glad to say that "the one that knows" didn't have my name on that list. I tried to actually make a difference in that place, and I would hope that I actually did in those select few. Much love for my favorites. You know who you are.#59 Itried Huntington Park, CA · Mar 12, 2009

truth wrote:
<quoted text>
Ironically so this seems like this is really Thomas writing this statement in order to try and clear his name of any racial or abuse allegations that were made towards him. I heard complaints that Thomas actually made many boys stand outside on the basketball court in just their boxers while yelling at them!! Please he didnt help at all![/list][/size][/list]
#60 THE ONE THAT KNOWS Riverdale, GA · Mar 12, 2009

word has it, that john g. left the country and he blamming everything on mr. darrington...lol. and yes "itried" i agree with you about some of the staff did try to help like you but we all was limited due to john g. controlling and brainwashing mr. darrington into thinking that he knew what he was doing with the kids and staff. i know for a fact john g. didn't know a damn thing about working with the kids and staff... poor mr. darrington, he believed in that guy and now look at the mess he is in...i feel for darrington family tho...#61 darrington Ocilla, GA · Mar 13, 2009

Program parent you know a lot of parents couldnt afford seminars so i dont want to hear that#62 Program parent Saint Simons Island, GA · Mar 19, 2009

ILOVEDARRINGTON wrote:
saint simons island program parent how is your son chris doing[/list][/size]He is doing GREAT! Thanks for asking. We (my husband, Chris and I) are all still working our program. It does work if you work it! Chris is finishing his senior year. Has joined the volunteer fire fighters, wants to be a fire fighter (like his dad), working at the same job for 8 months now. He went to Pillars when he left Darrington and finished up there. Loved POH. We went to visit him there and it is a great school too. How are you doing?[/list]
#63 I survived Darrington Naples, FL · Mar 30, 2009

#64 Another Survivor Saratoga, CA · Mar 30, 2009

Comments left in the Topix Blog thread, "2 kids escape from darrington academy (http://http://www.topix.com/forum/blogs/T3GHEB95N43PIJCG8)," #s 65-85:

#65 DA H8r Palm Coast, FL · Mar 31, 2009

Another Survivor wrote:
One - No one was sexually abused.
Two - Richard Darrington did NOT hurt anyone.
Three - Darrington Academy shut down because there's dead beat parents who won't pay the tuition. It was shut down because of our economy; read a damn newspaper. Don't be so naive. You believe what you want to believe, instead of looking at the real facts. There's bad schools out there. I hated being at Darrington and I said a lot of bad things about it when I came home. But I never stooped so low as to make things up. I do believe that there are desperate kids out there though that would make things up just to come home. It's sad. I'm an adult now and I wish I hadn't said all the things I did. Darrington was not a bad school. Some kids need that. It's easy for you people so be so negative because you weren't there. Although I still firmly believe I should have never been sent there in the first place, I am very lucky that I was sent to Darrington and not another WWASP school.[/list][/size]You see people, this is what darrington academy does to people. it freaking brainwashes them into thinking that it was a good place.[/list]
#66 graduated from here Willow Spring, NC · Mar 31, 2009

#67 Another Survivor Saratoga, CA · Apr 1, 2009

I'm not brainwashed. I grew up and moved on. You should do the same. Stop acting like a child and get over it.#68 chaperones suck Warner Robins, GA · Apr 5, 2009

I survived Darrington wrote:
So, I was at Darrington until it got shut down, I had been there for 11 months.
I was also 18, but my parents refused to let me come home.
it was either Darrington, with food and a bed
or under a bridge. great options. right?? pfff
anyways, there were only 2 chaperones that really helped me.
i saw many girls get restrained and tackled, and have seen many girls breakdown from emotional and mental confusion. I was never an 'upper level' and was always with the 'lower levels' and saw how much shit they went through.
I was also in the room with the cameras. We were told that they were only turned on and recording at night. Although, many times I was told by the shift supervisors that they would replay the film to see what we had been doing during the day in the dorms.
The place was just filled with lies and nobody really knows what was really was happening.
I'm just glad I'm out.[/list][/size]who is this????[/list]
#69 C_Rodriguez Bronx, NY · Apr 5, 2009

When I was there, there were always these shady occurances that nobody spoke about perhaps with the fear of becoming the target. Sick bed, intervention, among other things were def. manifestations of child abuse. How is it that someone had to wait until level three to take care of health issues and get to see a doctor? The same with sick bed, the teen's were just laying in bed all day drinking soup regardless of their health issue. Intervention a place in which you sometimes had to kneel for hours facing a wall. Made to sleep on the floor and not allowed to shower until they said so. If this is not child abuse then what is??#70 jhernandez Lake Worth, FL · Apr 5, 2009

C_Rodriguez wrote:
When I was there, there were always these shady occurances that nobody spoke about perhaps with the fear of becoming the target. Sick bed, intervention, among other things were def. manifestations of child abuse. How is it that someone had to wait until level three to take care of health issues and get to see a doctor? The same with sick bed, the teen's were just laying in bed all day drinking soup regardless of their health issue. Intervention a place in which you sometimes had to kneel for hours facing a wall. Made to sleep on the floor and not allowed to shower until they said so. If this is not child abuse then what is??[/list][/size]VERY GOOD POINT. its true. that place was so shady. i dont care what anyone says. i do think the economy had something to do with the shut down but i know therewas more to it then that.[/list]
#71 lauren Jamaica, NY · Apr 6, 2009

jenna...you were brainwashed. So idk you can contradict yourself like that saying you werent. it did get pretty bad in there when they changed the supervisors. i hate it there soo much. but its alright now...we're freee#72 Chaperone Steven Cartersville, GA · Apr 7, 2009

#73 Ryan S Schertz, TX · Apr 13, 2009

Chaperone Steven wrote:
WOW can't believe darrington got the ax n was shut down not a big fan of John G. n a few others that thought they were gods w/ apollo n the other family names given. I worked there n was surprised
of the stupidity that took place there on a daily basis. The point system was a joke n everybody cheated it, consequences given n taken away in seconds, favorites taken care of n others sent 2 work sheets just 2 get them out of family.
i tried my best 2 help the young men i was over sharing my experience strenght and hope with them but was often shut down by John the know it all, sometimes Thomas when John was in his ear. I do not know if any child abuse took place when i was there but i do know Jim n Howie were teetering on the edge once whe jim tackled Paven H outside worksheets was intense n Howie "mugged" Ryan S in worksheets for a stupid reason it seemed like sometimes they bragged over who had 2 b restrained
n how they did it i find it amazing i never had 2 restrain any one in my time there i could always talk it out with them.
I'm curious what happened 2 so many of the young men that were there Like Paven H.,Massimo C., Mitch K., Matt S., Dustin, Chris H., Jake K., Evan E.,Marc S., Kevin H., Joey G.
No matter what ur experience was at darrington good or bad just remember to keep moving forward n b the best u can b[/list][/size]Hey steven it is Ryan s
Yea i remeber paven gettin knocked around then howie and an upper level wrestling with me. That place was way crooked,"some" of the chaperones would take consequences to one kid and not the other one. There was a lot of stuff that went on there that was not right. The worse thing that i thought was on Sunday when we wrote our letters to our parents that my family rep mayte would edit my letter. I still to this day ask my parents if they got the letters and which they did and none of them was what i wrote. I would like to say one thing to all the chaperones that put there hands on me to tell thank you and i am better for it today. The struggles that i went thourgh at darrington academy weren't good but in the end it may have better my situation in the long run. All the guys in Posiedon that thought i was going to jamacia. Nope i was eating shrimp that day I left. Steven is the best chaperone that was there and really would talk you out of anthing stupid and pick you up when you were down. I would like to know where the poseidon guys are though.[/list]
#74 DA H8r Palm Coast, FL · Apr 20, 2009

#75 Program Survivor Atlanta, GA · Apr 29, 2009

#76 Program Survivor Atlanta, GA · Apr 29, 2009

Dear Ryan s, i was in poseidon as well, do you remeber Keiran wilson and c-money hahaha where is that kid#77 Nelly Haun AOL · May 6, 2009

darrington was an abusive place i was their for a long time i got out a few months before it close it has effected my life now for i have emotional physical breakdowns andits distroying my friends and family because of what i do im tramatized from that place and i am now on medication because i have been diagnosed with high bipolar, high deppression,PST i just wish i could be the same as before when i wasnt like this i can honestly say that i was starting to go crzy and if it wasnt for being pulled i probably would have been in a mental hospital i am starting to heal from alot of my STUFF but only god can heal me full#78 Nelly Haun AOL · May 7, 2009

so unless u guys have been their and dealt with all of that the why sure talk about it if not parents some other people just literally stay out of it cause u dont understand and im glad its closed darrington was an abusive overpowering person who that he was god and if u guys think he was so great how great is it that a man beats his wife excally not so great#79 decendantofposie dan Woburn, MA · May 14, 2009

I was at darrington in 06 and they beat the piss out of me and mentally abused me. Darrington Survivor has to be nuts saying it wasnt that bad...#80 decendantofposie dan Woburn, MA · May 14, 2009

i was at darrington in 06 and they beat the piss out of me. Darrington Survivor is a survivor beacause he wasnt on his knees for intervention but to only gain points#82 Nelly Lebanon, TN · May 26, 2009

Darrington has been arrested#83 Darrington Academy Minneapolis, MN · May 26, 2009

http://www.thenewsobserver.com/articles ... news02.eml (http://www.thenewsobserver.com/articles/2009/05/26/news/news02.eml) This Article Speaks for Itself![/list]
#84 leigh Pierce Smyrna, GA · May 27, 2009

f*** darrington-f*** all the f***** up staff- f*** the power trippers, and f*** impure intentions. Darrington was only after money- and if they could have some fun while making they're fortune you better believe they will. What was fun to them was making teens cry everyday missing there homes, friends, family, life, and they're own fucking train of thought. When girls I became close with started actually falling into these brainwashing tactics I was not only hurt because I lost my friend, but scared. And by the way- doesn't anyone think its a little strange how Darrington Academy is a old hotel building? Get real. I'm so happy to hear about all this. 2 years in that place will make you hate it and resent everything about it.#85 JHernandez Lake Worth, FL · May 27, 2009

i was so happy to see that he got arrested FINALLY! i sent the link to my dad and he was upset at himself for allowing my mom to send me there. i STILL have nightmares about being sent there and not being able to leave even though im over 18. i fucking hate mr darrington, dace, and all the other assholes who thought they were god. i still have resentment towards my mom for sending me there. i was there from may 05- april 06. the only thing that kept me going were the friendships i made. i misss everyone soo much. hope you all are doing well <3

Copyright ©2011 Topix LLC

Comments left in the Topix Blog thread, "2 kids escape from darrington academy (http://http://www.topix.com/forum/blogs/T3GHEB95N43PIJCG8)," #s 86-105:

#86 Nelly Lebanon, TN · May 27, 2009

I agree with jess and Leigh#87 nobody Winston Salem, NC · May 30, 2009

The one, is there anyway I can contact you? I was in DA 14 months, 04-05. I have issues now, a lot of them. I just want to do something, to gain closure, I'm tired of bad dreams and crying from old memories. I want to move on, I just don't know how.#88 red river girl Louisville, KY · Jun 2, 2009

do any of you know blake sandlin that was at DA#89 darrington Largo, FL · Jun 2, 2009

yea i do why#90 Nelly Maryville, TN · Jun 2, 2009

Is darrington really darrington or just da name???#91 Avello Dalton, GA · Jun 5, 2009

Jenna wrote:
you guys are nuts. I am a Darrington survivor. i graduated. I am not brainwashed at all. I party and have fun. they didnt beat kidas or do any shit like that tho.. it did suck but hey it happens.[/list][/size]Jenna my dear baby!!
You are so right.
I mean yes, Dace was a freaky fucker and he always gave me the creaps.
The food was horrible and there was some incidents health wise that took place there with other people.
But I personally have never seen anybody abused.
We all put ourselves there.
I was there for 351 days and everyday somebody was tryin to drop me and start a new rumor about me.
That is all that is, angry kids who have nothing to do but dwell on the past.
I've been out for 3 years and as much as I hate that place I met the most amazing people there and learned a lot.
For those of you who weren't there to experience these things, deff should not talk about whats going on there. I live 30 miles away from the school.
The school is closed and is staying closed.
Get over yourselves.[/list]
#92 C_Rodriguez Paterson, NJ · Jun 10, 2009

JHernandez wrote:
i was so happy to see that he got arrested FINALLY! i sent the link to my dad and he was upset at himself for allowing my mom to send me there. i STILL have nightmares about being sent there and not being able to leave even though im over 18. i fucking hate mr darrington, dace, and all the other assholes who thought they were god. i still have resentment towards my mom for sending me there. i was there from may 05- april 06. the only thing that kept me going were the friendships i made. i misss everyone soo much. hope you all are doing well <3[/list][/size]I had nightmares for a while too, I would wake up crying but they have stopped and it seemes so long ago yet it seems like just the other day..Im glad to have maintained the friendship with you and other girls from DA. I hope evryone is doing well..although it wasnt the best yr of my life it was the most significant..I matured in DA what wouldve taken me yrs somewhere else...Abuse isn't nec. physical.. but aside from that I havent missed the essence from there.[/list]
#93 biscuits Lorton, VA · Jun 15, 2009

#94 Cravon Sheard Winter Springs, FL · Jun 16, 2009

JFo wrote:
I still wanna know why it shut down?[/list][/size]Bcuz they was alot of abuse there and they were teaching us 2 b respectful when they were being disrespectful 2 us in first place.

I HATED THAT PLACE WITH A PASSION AND I AM SO GLAD 2 BE BACK HOME WITH MY FAMILY!!!![/list]
#95 Cravon Sheard Winter Springs, FL · Jun 16, 2009

nobody wrote:
The one, is there anyway I can contact you? I was in DA 14 months, 04-05. I have issues now, a lot of them. I just want to do something, to gain closure, I'm tired of bad dreams and crying from old memories. I want to move on, I just don't know how.[/list][/size]I feel u girl but u know wat just look at it this way the more issues u have the stronger u are bcuz ur not dead and you can do it!! dnt give up now r stop believing in urself becuz one day you would reach to the top and show those at darrington that you dnt have to graduate to be somebody in life[/list]
#96 the one Clermont, FL · Jun 20, 2009

Justice...Itsl all over, Mr. Darrington ran a school about consequences and now because of his actions he has to pay the consequences...To NOBODY, I hope by the place being shut down and Darrington being arrested is enough closure.. Mr Darrignton never thought there was gonna be any consequences for his actions, it feels good to have gotten the best of him, thats all the closure I need#97 Philip Lebanon, TN · Jun 22, 2009

Hey y'all dis is to all da people dat knew nelly she got shot last nite in da stomach by Preston molden her sista has checking her myspace pray so she survives#98 Miss Lynn Ellijay, GA · Jun 26, 2009

#99 Nelly Lebanon, TN · Jun 27, 2009

Hey guys it happened a few weeks ago I was sroucly wounded I'm sore and hurting now and have steches phillip herd this from my sis on the 22 second and thought it was that day dnt worry please but it was before then but I got home now I'll be fine unless I have to go back they gave me pills for the pain dnt worry I'll be fine god will take me on his own time but till then ima keep living love you all nelly#100 Went to DA for 15 months Saint Petersburg, FL · Jun 27, 2009

sexual abuse??? haha yall are dumb. Darrington sucked but when it shut down, I got sent to Red River... that place was freaking hell.. I wouldve gone back to DA any day and so would everyone else at RRA.. and nobody got restrained unless they were being stupid.. they didnt just sit there and restrain people for fun..and yea mrs sarah was a B and so was mrs joyce.. but we all dramatized the restraining stories to CPS to get the place shut down to find out we were all going to a worse place..... someone get red river shut down !!#101 Went to DA for 15 months Saint Petersburg, FL · Jun 27, 2009

C_Rodriguez wrote:
When I was there, there were always these shady occurances that nobody spoke about perhaps with the fear of becoming the target. Sick bed, intervention, among other things were def. manifestations of child abuse. How is it that someone had to wait until level three to take care of health issues and get to see a doctor? The same with sick bed, the teen's were just laying in bed all day drinking soup regardless of their health issue. Intervention a place in which you sometimes had to kneel for hours facing a wall. Made to sleep on the floor and not allowed to shower until they said so. If this is not child abuse then what is??[/list][/size]by the way I went on a med run to the dentist at level 2.. my mom just had to pay for transportation

and the place doesnt freaking brainwash people.. wtf.. I hated the place with a passion because I couldnt go out and party drink smoke or just do what I wanted... thats why everybody hated it[/list]
#102 C_Rodriguez Paterson, NJ · Jun 29, 2009

Went to DA for 15 months wrote:
<quoted text>
by the way I went on a med run to the dentist at level 2.. my mom just had to pay for transportation
and the place doesnt freaking brainwash people.. wtf.. I hated the place with a passion because I couldnt go out and party drink smoke or just do what I wanted... thats why everybody hated it[/list][/size]Of course there were a couple priviledged($$)[or how they called it special cases]..but i think i can speak for the rest of us..if it was such a great place why would it get shut down..hmmm??[/list]
#103 Cravon Sheard Oviedo, FL · Jul 4, 2009

C_Rodriguez wrote:
<quoted text>
Of course there were a couple priviledged($$)[or how they called it special cases]..but i think i can speak for the rest of us..if it was such a great place why would it get shut down..hmmm??[/list][/size]datz my point nd yes they mistreated us[/list]
#104 Darrington shorty Houston, TX · Jul 8, 2009

I was at Darrington for about 20 months...they did do some crap to a couple kids, but it wasnt all crazy like some people are saying. alot of people got transfered to Red River Academy...me included. i just graduated there yesterday...#105 Darrington shorty Houston, TX · Jul 8, 2009

hey...red river girl, i know blake..i staffed his focus.

Copyright ©2011 Topix LLC

Comments left in the Topix Blog thread, "2 kids escape from darrington academy (http://http://www.topix.com/forum/blogs/T3GHEB95N43PIJCG8)," #s 106-128:

#106 Darrington shorty Houston, TX · Jul 8, 2009

I survived Darrington wrote:
So, I was at Darrington until it got shut down, I had been there for 11 months.
I was also 18, but my parents refused to let me come home.
it was either Darrington, with food and a bed
or under a bridge. great options. right?? pfff
anyways, there were only 2 chaperones that really helped me.
i saw many girls get restrained and tackled, and have seen many girls breakdown from emotional and mental confusion. I was never an 'upper level' and was always with the 'lower levels' and saw how much shit they went through.
I was also in the room with the cameras. We were told that they were only turned on and recording at night. Although, many times I was told by the shift supervisors that they would replay the film to see what we had been doing during the day in the dorms.
The place was just filled with lies and nobody really knows what was really was happening.
I'm just glad I'm out.[/list][/size]hey stewie!! i hope you are doing good. its Alexis. i just graduated from Red River[/list]
#107 Nelly Strawberry Plains, TN · Jul 9, 2009

Hey alexis u should call me we need to talk message me at [email protected] (http://mailto:[email protected])[/i][/list][/size]hey girl well, cant talk on the phone...gotta keep it on the DL if you get me. im on lock down. but we can talk thru here.[/list]
#111 Darrington shorty Houston, TX · Aug 7, 2009

red river girl wrote:
do any of you know blake sandlin that was at DA[/list][/size]i know blake[/list]
#112 Darrington shorty Houston, TX · Aug 7, 2009

the one wrote:
the one that knows, i appreciate it and yah 5 days later i was bak on the field and next year im gonna play college ball, take care and thankyou, it feels good having some closure[/list][/size]who is this? im in katy too[/list]
#113 Kyle brickell Pompano Beach, FL · Aug 10, 2009

#114 Kyle brickell Pompano Beach, FL · Aug 10, 2009

I do he was a good friend who is this?#115 Miss Antsy Pam Venice, CA · Sep 11, 2009

http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/articl ... 99997/1056 (http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20090909/NEWS/909099997/1056)

This is insane![/list]
#119 Speedy Morganton, GA · Sep 24, 2009

#120 Darrington H8R Seattle, WA · Sep 28, 2009

Flush Apollo wrote:
I swear to satan if I ever make it to Atlanta, I'm going back to that podunk motel and burning that mother to the ground, and pissing on it's ashes.
My 16 months at Darrington did give me a couple very valuable life lessons though. The foremost being that the state and like authoritative institutions are the true enemy to peace, love, and equality. The latter being that all my "evils" and "imperfections" are what makes life beautiful. Perfection is ugly. Beauty is chaos. Chaos is freedom.
All in all though, I did get some great stories out of that place, and made some great friends. I don't really regret that I was sent there, mostly because I was very badly addicted to cough medicine and starting to do things like suicide attempts and self mutilation, and doing 16 months in Darrington is a great oppurtunity to kick a drug habit. I also got 2 felonies and 5 misdemeanours dropped for my time in there. But overall, it was still a hell hole.
So remember kids, smoke rocks and kill cops! OK ALL DAY, APL NEVER DIES[/list][/size]hahahahaaha
bakonyi!!
:D[/list]
#121 da-rra_survivor Houston, TX · Oct 13, 2009

Kyle brickell wrote:
I do he was a good friend who is this?[/list][/size]omg kyle!! its alexis! add me on facebook...alexis mccurry[/list]
#123 Flush Apollo Atlanta, GA · Oct 16, 2009

da-rra_survivor wrote:
<quoted text>
omg kyle!! its alexis! add me on facebook...alexis mccurry[/list][/size]Like, OMG![/list]
#124 Nelly Strawberry Plains, TN · Oct 26, 2009

Hey wats up who has a myspace or facebook give me ur names#125 NICK Pompano Beach, FL · Nov 15, 2009

yea i was in the progam with matin on page 1 or 2 he went to a seminar and say he fingers his butt when he watches porn....what a sad sad child lmao real shit tho FOCUS was the seminar#126 NICK Pompano Beach, FL · Nov 15, 2009

LMAO "addicted to cough medicine" already know thats bakonyi...smoke 1 fool ^_^ #127 NICK Pompano Beach, FL · Nov 15, 2009

kyle u stupid jew =D #128 NICK Pompano Beach, FL · Nov 15, 2009

another great story Thomas was trying to shut down corie's pc while in a quize so thomas throws him on the ground and corrie beats the shit outa him =P

Copyright ©2011 Topix LLC

Comments left in the Topix Blog thread, "2 kids escape from darrington academy (http://http://www.topix.com/forum/blogs/T3GHEB95N43PIJCG8)," #s 129-149:

#129 red river Covington, KY · Nov 15, 2009

darrington wrote:
yea i do why[/list][/size]its my cousin how is he doingg?[/list]
#130 red river Covington, KY · Nov 15, 2009

Darrington shorty wrote:
<quoted text>
i know blake[/list][/size]shorty when will he be back? im his cousin i went to rra too..was he abused at DA?[/list]
#131 anonymous Chattanooga, TN · Nov 26, 2009

Speedy wrote:
I could not believe some of the abuse I witnessed while working at Darrington. Darrington and Gagne must go down for their part in the abuse that took place there.
You lead by example not by physical force.
Bullying is for school children and not grown men entrusted with teens.
I will Forever be a thorn in their sides.[/list][/size][/list]
#132 Flush Atlanta, GA · Nov 27, 2009

anonymous wrote:
Thats funny because all the students i ever ran into never had anything bad to say about Gagne, I only heard good things. These comments are probably coming from someone who always has to point a finger at someone else to feel better
<quoted text>[/list][/size]That's intresting considering Gagne fled the country after being shutdown by child services.[/list]
#133 youraliar Blairsville, GA · Dec 2, 2009

Flush wrote:
<quoted text>
That's intresting considering Gagne fled the country after being shutdown by child services.[/list][/size]Its obvious you have no clue and hold a grudge against someone for no reason.[/list]
#134 Flush Atlanta, GA · Dec 3, 2009

This just in.. In the local Blue Ridge paper... Stephens county grand Jury indictments Richard Darrington: 1 count invasion of privacy, 4 counts cruelty to children John Gagne AKA T.N.O. : 1 count invasion of privacy, 6 counts cruelty to children Paige: 2 counts cruelty to children Howie: 2 counts cruelty to children. Thought you Darrington folks would like to know. Thanks to speedy for the info#135 Slander Blairsville, GA · Dec 3, 2009

Flush wrote:
This just in.. In the local Blue Ridge paper... Stephens county grand Jury indictments Richard Darrington: 1 count invasion of privacy, 4 counts cruelty to children John Gagne AKA T.N.O.: 1 count invasion of privacy, 6 counts cruelty to children Paige: 2 counts cruelty to children Howie: 2 counts cruelty to children. Thought you Darrington folks would like to know. Thanks to speedy for the info[/list][/size]Flush you keep on throwing out names on the internet like these people are actually guilty. I know for one John is a upstanding citizen,A decorated Officer,decorated Veteran and a family man. The majority of things ive heard from people are the exact opposite of what you and a few others are lying about. The majority of the names mentioned will be proven innocent. So you and your girlfriend speedy should go find another Forum to spew your slander on.[/list]
#136 Anonymous Orange City, FL · Dec 3, 2009

I met so many people there that had issues that every other human being will experience. But to the reps and facilitators.. it was so much more. The whole school was about making money. I mean $3500 a month for what? the scummiest food and school. That's ridiculous. The lies the reps would tell your parents so that they keep you enrolled there. That was the worst of it. When I got out my parents didnt know about half the shit that was going on there. The only shit they knew was how much i wasnt working my "program" I mean thats bullshit. I'm glad im out and im glad its shut down. Darrington finally got what he had coming for him since day one. And i love how he's probably feeling sorry for himself.#137 i dont know Bradenton, FL · Dec 3, 2009

anonymous wrote:
Thats funny because all the students i ever ran into never had anything bad to say about Gagne, I only heard good things. These comments are probably coming from someone who always has to point a finger at someone else to feel better
<quoted text>[/list][/size]yea because if we said anything he would beat our ass[/list]
#138 Jason4 Blue Ridge, GA · Dec 3, 2009

i dont know wrote:
<quoted text>
yea because if we said anything he would beat our ass[/list][/size]That is such crap........When you grow up one day you'll feel ashamed for spouting off such lies. Don't use him as a scape goat he wanted the best for every student at that facility. He just worked there and had to take orders.[/list]
#139 Flush Atlanta, GA · Dec 4, 2009

Jason4 wrote:
<quoted text>
That is such crap........When you grow up one day you'll feel ashamed for spouting off such lies. Don't use him as a scape goat he wanted the best for every student at that facility. He just worked there and had to take orders.[/list][/size]He didn't take orders, he was the program director.[/list]
#140 daaa Bradenton, FL · Dec 4, 2009

jason who the are you probably some guy who has no idea what went down at darrington if u didnt go there or work there dont say anything#141 blue ridge Bradenton, FL · Dec 6, 2009

Slander wrote:
<quoted text>
Flush you keep on throwing out names on the internet like these people are actually guilty. I know for one John is a upstanding citizen,A decorated Officer,decorated Veteran and a family man. The majority of things ive heard from people are the exact opposite of what you and a few others are lying about. The majority of the names mentioned will be proven innocent. So you and your girlfriend speedy should go find another Forum to spew your slander on.[/list][/size]Speedy would whoop you[/list]
#142 former DA student Suffern, NY · Dec 9, 2009

grow up! i hated darrington academy just as much as the next student, but mr. darrington treated each of us with the upmost respect and some people need the discipline. plain and simple-darrington academy didn't keep you there..your parents did and if they kept you there it was for a reason-clearly you were fucked up and had issues or why else would they send you! glad you're a graduate bitch#144 Flush Atlanta, GA · Dec 11, 2009

Slander wrote:
<quoted text>
Flush you keep on throwing out names on the internet like these people are actually guilty. I know for one John is a upstanding citizen,A decorated Officer,decorated Veteran and a family man. The majority of things ive heard from people are the exact opposite of what you and a few others are lying about. The majority of the names mentioned will be proven innocent. So you and your girlfriend speedy should go find another Forum to spew your slander on.[/list][/size]News Update!

Dick has been found guilty and is now a convicted felon. Sorry if my slander spoils the mood of your all american football bbq you probably had planned this weekend.

http://www.antiwwasp.com/schools/1-wwas ... uilty.html (http://www.antiwwasp.com/schools/1-wwasp-news/167-grand-jury-finds-darrington-guilty.html)[/list]
#145 Crystal Fry Silver Spring, MD · Dec 20, 2009

THE ONE THAT KNOWS wrote:
HERE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT SHOULD NEVER WORK WITH KIDS AGAIN... JIM, HOWIE, APRIL, JOHN G, DARRINGTON, PAIGE, ROLLAN, PATSY, JOYCE, SARAH...WELL THAT'S ALL THE STAFF YOU KNOW ABOUT AT DARRINGTON... THEY ALL STARTED RESTRAINING KIDS LIKE CRAZY...THIS MSG IS FOR JENNA...I MISSED THE ADMINS WHO RAN THAT PLACE WITH RESPECT...[/list][/size]..........

Hey I liked Jim He was cool as shit and So was April... They were my two fav...[/list]
#146 Gaia Power Brooklyn, NY · Jan 20, 2010

Itried wrote:
I know.. I worked there, Thomas didn't make the boys do that. That was NOT him. You can blame John G. for that one.
<quoted text>[/list][/size]Garry?[/list]
#147 Gaia Power Brooklyn, NY · Jan 20, 2010

Well I'm new to this but I def. had my share of trauma at Darrington. I attended this hell hole from May 2005- June 2006 and it was the WORST place I have ever seen for teens. For starters, Dace took away my "privalage" to say bye to my family during my intake. I can understand if I was uncontrolable or out of hand; but even so, I believe i should have at least gotten a chance to say bye. Second, because I was black, I constantly got made fun of for my complextion (I'm not that dark), and my body. When it came time to share during group, it always seemed "staged". If you share how you really feel, you are told you are playing thee "victim" and literally brainwashed to think and feel differently. I am glad that muthafuka is closed and I feel it was long past due.#148 Gaia Girl Chicago, IL · Jan 20, 2010

#149 Bri-DA survivor Tampa, FL · Jan 21, 2010

I graduated back in like august of 08. The cameras had just been installed in the girls dorms, apparently they didn't RECORD only showed what was going on at the time [BS].
I was brainwashed for about 3 months afterward. The restraining started happening like a few months before graduation. I saw a huge riot break out on the guys side. it was insanity.
so glad it was shut down.[/list]

Copyright ©2011 Topix LLC

Comments left in the Topix Blog thread, "2 kids escape from darrington academy (http://http://www.topix.com/forum/blogs/T3GHEB95N43PIJCG8)," #s 150-169:

#150 Bri-DA survivor Tampa, FL · Jan 21, 2010

staffed that seminar wrote:
<quoted text>
they put cameras in to keep people from hurting themselves and keeping idiots from harassing others[/list][/size]Okay. girls weren't allowed to change in the restrooms because you weren't allowed [due to rules] to just go in the bathroom whenever you want. you COULD change in the shower area, but with 5 minutes to do so and 6 girls in the room it'd be chaotic. If they want the girls to be supervised, maybe they should hire more staff? I mean, there was ONE [sometime two] chaperone per family.

The cameras should not be allowed because girls dressed and undressed in front of it. It was creepy, it was awkward. I rememember when they were installed I asked "is this even legal?" and all I got were awkward shrugs from admin.[/list]
#151 Bri-DA survivor Tampa, FL · Jan 21, 2010

Program parent wrote:
<quoted text>Big Bear, These programs for struggling teens help kids learn to be accountable, responsible and respectful and help heal family relationships. They focus on 4 areas: behavior modification where they learn to be accountable for their choices, be responsible and respectful; self esteem and character development to let them know they are good people, they are just making non-working choices (drugs, drinking, defiance, disrespect,lying, skipping school, failing school, stealing, sex, etc.), their academics are of the highest caliber; and family relationships where they learn to live within their family's values, boundaries and house rules. As far as what you were told by the teens you took in about what they were or were not doing, just remember there are 2 sides to every story. Try not to judge a parent for their choices until you have walked in their shoes. If it were not for this program, my child would have been in jail or dead. It was a struggle for us to afford this program. I will be paying off the loan for several more years but at 10 times the price it was worth every penny. How much is too much to save your child's life? My child thanks me almost daily for the "gift" we gave him by placing him in the program. He is doing great since he finished the program and came home. And just a little more info, if he had not finished the program, he would not have been back in our home. He chose to stay after he turned 18 and complete, even though "legally" he could have walked out. What I experience from many of the comments posted from "program kids" is they obviously "faked" their way through the program and did not take advantage of the opportunities that their parents paid dearly for. They have been given "life tools" that if they choose to use them, they can live a purposeful life and have a whole and healthy family again, which was their parent's dreams when they had to make the hardest decision they have ever had to make when they sent their child away to get help. Obviously some of these kids posting never got down to the real issues that caused them to make the non working choices that originally sent them into the program. I say to them, "stop playing the blame game, do your accountability formula and step left." These programs have saved many kids and many families. I know Rich Darrington and all the other staff members mentioned and I think some of these people need to keep their names a secret because you could be subject to a libel lawsuit with the choices you are making and what you are writing.[/list][/size]please, PLEASE, tell me what your idea of acountability is. and by the way you sound like you stepped out of a seminar like 2 days ago. it's disgusting the propaganda you're spreading.

they told me it was my fault I was raped and it was my fault my mom killed herself. that I was "accountable" [aka responsible to them-- responsibility is the ability to respond accountably to the situations life hand you-- BS THAT'S NOT THE REAL DEFINITION!]

The facilitators were sick perverts who wanted every detail of your rape. how long they were at it, how big they were, if it hurt, if your orgasmed.

they said not to focus on the event but when it came to rape they wanted every last juicy detail.

that place makes me sick[/list]
#152 Gaia Power Brooklyn, NY · Jan 21, 2010

Bri-DA survivor wrote:
<quoted text>
Okay. girls weren't allowed to change in the restrooms because you weren't allowed [due to rules] to just go in the bathroom whenever you want. you COULD change in the shower area, but with 5 minutes to do so and 6 girls in the room it'd be chaotic. If they want the girls to be supervised, maybe they should hire more staff? I mean, there was ONE [sometime two] chaperone per family.
The cameras should not be allowed because girls dressed and undressed in front of it. It was creepy, it was awkward. I rememember when they were installed I asked "is this even legal?"
and all I got were awkward shrugs from admin.[/list][/size]OMG THIS IS TERRIBLE!!! I COULDN'T IMAGINE CHANGING IN FRONT OF THOSE CAMERAS EVERY DAY. I BET THE GUYS DORMS DIDNT HAVE THOSE!! WHAT COULD THEY POSSIBLY NEED MORE SUPERVISION FOR; THOSE DORMS WERE TINY!!! THEY ARE PERVERTS FOR REAL[/list]
#153 Gaia Power Brooklyn, NY · Jan 21, 2010

Bri-DA survivor wrote:
<quoted text>
please, PLEASE, tell me what your idea of acountability is. and by the way you sound like you stepped out of a seminar like 2 days ago. it's disgusting the propaganda you're spreading.
they told me it was my fault I was raped and it was my fault my mom killed herself. that I was "accountable" [aka responsible to them-- responsibility is the ability to respond accountably to the situations life hand you-- BS THAT'S NOT THE REAL DEFINITION!]
The facilitators were sick perverts who wanted every detail of your rape. how long they were at it, how big they were, if it hurt, if your orgasmed.
they said not to focus on the event but when it came to rape they wanted every last juicy detail.
that place makes me sick[/list][/size]I BET THEY DID... BUT YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY; KARMA IS A BITCH! I GUESS THATS WHY THAT FACILITATOR (CAN'T REMEMBER HIS NAME) DIED ON THE WAY TO D.A. IF YOU DON'T GET ALL INTO EMOTION, YOUR "CLOSED". I "CHOSE OUT" OF FOCUS 3 TIMES BECAUSE I DIDN'T GET INTO DEPTH ABOUT MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY MOM.[/list]
#154 Flush Apollo Atlanta, GA · Jan 21, 2010

The boys dorms did not have cameras.#155 Gaia Power Brooklyn, NY · Jan 21, 2010

#156 Kevin Duffy Atlanta, GA · Jan 22, 2010

[email protected]

#157 theo Brooklyn, NY · Jan 24, 2010

yoo who wus ther frm 2007 to 2009??? i wus for 2 years#158 Kcinotik New York, NY · Mar 1, 2010

Whattup Its kito. Holla at me#159 kaila- i ran too Bronx, NY · Mar 3, 2010

#160 kaila- i ran too Bronx, NY · Mar 3, 2010

#161 the one Daytona Beach, FL · Mar 10, 2010

Its all over, Darrington ran a school about consequences and now he has to face the consequences for his actions...im the one who was laying in a pool of blood that day, and that launched the investigation on Darrington Academy...I like to think either when the school got shutdown or when he go arrested he thought to himself, how in the hell did that kid get the best of me..Its all the closure u need....kito ur a bitch hope your doin alrite man#162 nick Pompano Beach, FL · Apr 14, 2010

anyone got ben durfey #?#163 rolling face Pompano Beach, FL · Jun 12, 2010

yoo wats up with corey dwyer that dude was to funny#164 ADAM SWinford Naperville, IL · Jun 30, 2010

man i was there for 6 months and adam threw my head in to a wall fucked my neck up i wrote a letter home tellin my parents about it guess what they never got it. i was on level 1 the hole time i was there and i tryed to work the program i was even cool wit some of the chaperones but the food wasent that bad it seemed alot worse than it was but yea they was some shady shit goin down thats for sure#165 eatbutt Pittsburgh, PA · Jul 3, 2010

#166 PrettyPinkP Pfafftown, NC · Aug 4, 2010

Every night at shutdown, I would think of all the ways I could kill myself. I wanted to go home but I knew that I couldn't. I was so miserable so I wanted to die. I'm not miserable anymore, but I still sometimes want to die.#167 Gaia Power Brooklyn, NY · Aug 7, 2010

C_Rodriguez wrote:
When I was there, there were always these shady occurances that nobody spoke about perhaps with the fear of becoming the target. Sick bed, intervention, among other things were def. manifestations of child abuse. How is it that someone had to wait until level three to take care of health issues and get to see a doctor? The same with sick bed, the teen's were just laying in bed all day drinking soup regardless of their health issue. Intervention a place in which you sometimes had to kneel for hours facing a wall. Made to sleep on the floor and not allowed to shower until they said so. If this is not child abuse then what is??[/list][/size]Remember when you ran lol[/list]
#168 anthony romero Jacksonville, FL · Sep 19, 2010

the one wrote:
i would love to kno the name of the darringtona survivor[/list][/size]well ur talkin to one... got my diploma from there. and yeah, shit SUCKS.[/list]
#169 darrington SUCKS Jacksonville, FL · Sep 19, 2010

Comments left in the Topix Blog thread, "2 kids escape from darrington academy (http://http://www.topix.com/forum/blogs/T3GHEB95N43PIJCG8)," #s 170-190:

#170 babygirl95 Pensacola, FL · Nov 27, 2010

THE ONE THAT KNOWS wrote:
one big reason they shut the school down was becuz of john and rich placed cam's in the girls dorms...[/list][/size]I was at Da for almost 2 years,if i knew there were cams in the girls dorms i would be for certain that i would run away from there to[/list]
#171 babygirl95 Pensacola, FL · Nov 27, 2010

I have to say that i learned a few things from there but not everything.Darrington wasnt the place everyone made it out to be.I mean come on having to count in the bathroom plz we are not 2 years old.Ya we did stupid stuff but good ness there rules were stupid.Us not being able to look at the guys bc im sorry I thaught a few of the guys were hott.The reason they said we could talk to them at all was bc guys were the reason we were in Da in the 1st place.Da was the stupidest place ever im sorry if this hurts peoples feelin or pisses them off BUT HEY THE TRUTH HURTS DONT IT#172 matt Rehoboth, MA · Jan 3, 2011

i WAS THERE AND SPECIFICALY REMEMBER TWO KIDS RUNNING I WAS ON UPPER LEVELS AND WAS WATCHING THEM IN INTERVENTION AFTER THEY WERE CAUGHT IF ITS THE SAME TWO. I DID HEAR ABOUT MR.D PUNCHING SOME KIDS TEATH OUT. I WAS NEVER SEXUALY ABUSED BUT THAT PLACE WAS RUN BY A BUNCH OF CRAZY MORMONS AND IT WOULDNT SURPRISE ME IF SOMEONE WAS ABUSED. THERE WERE CERTIAN MEMBERS OF THE STAFF THAT WERE GOOD BUT TOWARDS THE END OF MY 1 1/2 YEAR STAY THINGS STARTED TO FALL APART.#173 matt Rehoboth, MA · Jan 3, 2011

[email protected]

#174 survivor_1millio n Grayson, GA · Jan 16, 2011

worst place ever... I was a level 6 dropped for untrue reasons sent to an affiliated school in jamaica i was beaten many times and watched a girl have a broomstick shoved in her vagina by 3 staff members...worst place ever....i should have taken jail time!!!!!!!!#175 Former Darrington Student Bay City, MI · Jan 16, 2011

I went to darrington. I was there 9 months and 2 days. It didn't brainwash me, it was a positive experience and taught me a lot. If you want to call that brainwashing than I guess my brain needed washing from all the drugs and crimes I was doing. But after I left, I was doing good for about a year then went back to old behavior and went to jail on 3 separate occasions for a total of 52 days. So it does not brainwash you. It just teaches you to be accountable for your own actions was the biggest thing. People who haven't been to darrington, stop making assumptions. It sucked going there because it was extremely structured, but overall, it was a positive experience in the long run. Restrainments (when a student was a harm to themselves or others) were at times iffy. That was it's downfall. Nothing extreme, just iffy. There was also no sexual abuse by any of the staff. Stop making assumptions.#176 ha ha Blue Ridge, GA · Jan 21, 2011

truth wrote:
<quoted text>
Ironically so this seems like this is really Thomas writing this statement in order to try and clear his name of any racial or abuse allegations that were made towards him. I heard complaints that Thomas actually made many boys stand outside on the basketball court in just their boxers while yelling at them!! Please he didnt help at all![/list][/size]And we all know that thomas restrained more kids than anyone for no reason what so ever just ask shawn s this whole blog is about thomas and phillip looking for cash. yo darrington should apy cory d to shut thomas up[/list]
#177 Lee Smyrna, GA · Jan 26, 2011

Whats nuts Jenna is that even to this day you do not seem to particularly care about our justice. We were objects used in this bullshit marketing scheme. Grow up.#178 Lee Smyrna, GA · Jan 26, 2011

Whoever the program parent is, you do not sound like a wise person. As students of Darrington Academy, our rights as citizens, were never up-held. Everything that went on in that facility was unjust, and absurd. You will never truly understand because you have obviously never experienced fear like we have. You sound like an afraid parent who frantically sent there child somewhere to make things easier for yourself. As a good parent, did you research at all? There is no way putting an angry child in an environment like that is asking for more extreme problems when they get out. Resentment is what I feel everyday, so don't you dare try to downplay our emotions of this bullshit. What is your name program parent? I think you should be held accountable for anything you say on here as well.#179 RMA Atlanta, GA · Feb 9, 2011

I see the juvenile delinquents are still ranting giving authority a hard time. It will all come back to you.#180 RMA Atlanta, GA · Feb 9, 2011

Former Darrington Student wrote:
I went to darrington. I was there 9 months and 2 days. It didn't brainwash me, it was a positive experience and taught me a lot. If you want to call that brainwashing than I guess my brain needed washing from all the drugs and crimes I was doing. But after I left, I was doing good for about a year then went back to old behavior and went to jail on 3 separate occasions for a total of 52 days. So it does not brainwash you. It just teaches you to be accountable for your own actions was the biggest thing. People who haven't been to darrington, stop making assumptions. It sucked going there because it was extremely structured, but overall, it was a positive experience in the long run. Restrainments (when a student was a harm to themselves or others) were at times iffy. That was it's downfall. Nothing extreme, just iffy. There was also no sexual abuse by any of the staff. Stop making assumptions.[/list][/size]My son went to TB and had a positive experience. He still says he loves the people at TB. He never claimed any of these things like sexual abuse, torture,etc. He knows he was his own worst enemy. But after he got out he did go back to some old behaviors and has been arrested twice. He is currently in a half-way house on the right track.
the way these teens keep defying authority, our only choices to protect ourselves and this society is to try all teens as adults when they commit crimes. Enough of the blame on the parents.[/list]
#181 been there done that Smyrna, GA · Feb 17, 2011

Big on Authority, aren't you RMA? "These teens" are simply destroying society, aren't they? YOU created that teen. YOU taught him the life skills that have landed him his posiition in the half-way house. Juvenile delinquents (which I once was) do not fall out of the sky. We are created by parents like you with your interesting ideas on "Authority". I bet your idea of authority was to crush your son's spirit from birth. Maybe, instead of trying all teens as adults, we should start trying parents WITH the teens. I am a mental health professional working on my doctorate BECAUSE I am a program graduate. Not because the program helped - it nearly destroyed me - but because I have committed my life to another way of helping people like me who had parents like you. The proof is in the pudding, you yourself said your son went back to his old ways after leaving the program. If you think an institutional setting like the type promoted in WWASP is what will save your teen - just go ahead and send them to prison. It's just as regimented, almost as psychologically damaging, and it's free!#182 kaila -i ran too New York, NY · Feb 18, 2011

#183 Zeke Rodriguez Zephyrhills, FL · Mar 3, 2011

Sooo seeing as the subject has been probably dropped by now i was the one to tell my therapist about the abuse and eventually led to the CPS investigations and the closing down and transfer of all of us to Red River Academy. Yeah they whooped my ass and i can't say it wasn't well deserved but then again you can't just beat up 15 year olds no matter how frustrating the matter i am not going to testify against Richard Darrington in criminal court but will show up in civil to make sure that some amount of financial justice is done for my mother's wasted tuition.#184 crystal Silver Spring, MD · Mar 10, 2011

Darrington was horrible.. I was an orginal darrington girl. They wouldnt even tell me about my own health issues... April is a great person whom i love to death.. The only horrible ones was dace, darrington.. ive seen them first hand put there hands on people including me when i refused to go in there. I was told that they were my family now.. Hows that for a great teen program.. Haha darrington survivors.. Yall just went along with the program to get out...#185 Lee ann Southington, CT · Mar 11, 2011

Humm wrote:
Can you blame them if they were being sexually abused?[/list][/size]How do you know this is the REASON?[/list]
#186 Lee ann Southington, CT · Mar 11, 2011

kaila -i ran too wrote:
its all about the money. these parents dish out thousands of dollars every month to keeps their teens in institutions that dont help solve any problems. it just justifies the parents' need of approval and further damages relationships between parents and teens.
parents fail to realize that the world is a different place than when they were in their teens. sending your child away and not speaking to him/her/them for months or years has no positive impact.
my mother expected me to come back "fixed" but i wasnt broken in the first place. i wasnt on drugs. i was never arrested. i was a B+ student. i've never been pregnant. i was gay and i ran away because i was abused by her husband.
my mom had issues. my dad had issues. and i was stuck in the middle. so instead of them being adults and going to therapy and working out their problems, WWASP told them i was the problem.
i have my life together. happily living with my girlfriend, working full time and i'm going to off to college in fall. i'm 19. i went into the program at 14 and came out 15 months later when i was 15. and i can say it didnt help. i have had no relationship with my family since i was 14.
to all you program parents....god bless you and i hope you get the help YOU need.
to all the people in programs and those who survived "the program" keep your heads up. its not your fault and there isnt anything wrong with you.[/list][/size]you young man, should be very proud of yourself........ Just know; you WILL have a full and happy life. When it comes time to be a dad, you will be the best... God bless you.[/list]
#187 Lee ann Southington, CT · Mar 11, 2011

The more i read, the worse this place sounds....... So sorry. Why do not parents listen to the warnings?#189 choices Gainesville, GA · Mar 29, 2011

Some parents like my self had no other place to turn my son had overdosed twice, spent 12 day in jail and still did not care or want to stop. I had taken away all his freedom and went to school and sat in his classes and he still was getting high and out of control. My son was there for 8 months and to this day I believe he would be dead if he had not gone. He has finished high school started college and works a full time job. Something turned him around and if it was DA then I thank them.#190 Lee ann Cromwell, CT · Mar 29, 2011

choices wrote:
Some parents like my self had no other place to turn my son had overdosed twice, spent 12 day in jail and still did not care or want to stop. I had taken away all his freedom and went to school and sat in his classes and he still was getting high and out of control. My son was there for 8 months and to this day I believe he would be dead if he had not gone. He has finished high school started college and works a full time job. Something turned him around and if it was DA then I thank them.[/list][/size]god bless you and your son.. You had to go through hell and if i sounded like i was judgmental in any way; i am so sorry. We had a son that was out of control to, but with luck and prayers he is safe today.. You know parents that have good kids are just very lucky, has VERY little how they are raised, I am sure you did everything right and loved your child with all your heart, you just got a hard child, but looks like you turn this all around. good for you.[/list]

Copyright ©2011 Topix LLC

Comments left in the Topix Blog thread, "2 kids escape from darrington academy (http://http://www.topix.com/forum/blogs/T3GHEB95N43PIJCG8)," #s 191-198:

#191 Gaia Power Brooklyn, NY · Mar 30, 2011

Lee ann wrote:
<quoted text>you young man, should be very proud of yourself........ Just know; you WILL have a full and happy life. When it comes time to be a dad, you will be the best... God bless you.[/list][/size]FYI: thats a girl n i love u kaila!![/list]
#192 chap_dylan United States · Apr 14, 2011

I worked there in 08 and 09, never witnessed any sexual abuse. some kids got roughed up, usually due to them severely misbehaving (like wiping shit in a chaperones bible). most of the kids there were sent away for being teenagers. drinking, smoking, and those darn video games. i'm pretty sure one kid was there because he was gay. i feel sorry for these kids not having parents that could actually sit and talk with their children instead of shipping them off to a corrupt "school". hope you kids liked my mom's cooking#193 Brooke Sours Port Charlotte, FL · May 23, 2011

I'm going to post my real name, so I just thought I would tell you exactly what I think about Darrington Academy. I miss the great people that I met there. I was not brainwashed. I made working and non-working choices before AND after, but I did get self-esteem there. I also learned who I was there. It was one of the absolute best things that ever happened to me, and I miss the staff and other people I met every day. I learned a lot about life there, and I learned respect there as well. Also, for the record, no one was EVER touched at all while I was there. They made it so there was always a person there when you had a conversation so that bad things never happened. There was always a witness. I don't know how things ended, but I know that I love April Glenn, Karina Zurita, and Richard Darrington.#195 Edward survivor Wesley Chapel, FL · Jul 23, 2011

Another Survivor wrote:
One - No one was sexually abused.
Two - Richard Darrington did NOT hurt anyone.
Three - Darrington Academy shut down because there's dead beat parents who won't pay the tuition. It was shut down because of our economy; read a damn newspaper. Don't be so naive. You believe what you want to believe, instead of looking at the real facts. There's bad schools out there. I hated being at Darrington and I said a lot of bad things about it when I came home. But I never stooped so low as to make things up. I do believe that there are desperate kids out there though that would make things up just to come home. It's sad. I'm an adult now and I wish I hadn't said all the things I did. Darrington was not a bad school. Some kids need that. It's easy for you people so be so negative because you weren't there. Although I still firmly believe I should have never been sent there in the first place, I am very lucky that I was sent to Darrington and not another WWASP school.[/list][/size]you dont know what your talking about[/list]
#196 Edward survivor Wesley Chapel, FL · Jul 23, 2011

NICK wrote:
another great story Thomas was trying to shut down corie's pc while in a quize so thomas throws him on the ground and corrie beats the shit outa him =P[/list][/size]oh shit i remeber that,lol
didnt thomas have a black eye or something...
i remeber when corry came in and he hid crack in the toilet[/list]
#197 Edward survivor Wesley Chapel, FL · Jul 23, 2011

Zeke Rodriguez wrote:
Sooo seeing as the subject has been probably dropped by now i was the one to tell my therapist about the abuse and eventually led to the CPS investigations and the closing down and transfer of all of us to Red River Academy. Yeah they whooped my ass and i can't say it wasn't well deserved but then again you can't just beat up 15 year olds no matter how frustrating the matter i am not going to testify against Richard Darrington in criminal court but will show up in civil to make sure that some amount of financial justice is done for my mother's wasted tuition.[/list][/size]dude you live in Zephyrhills?! me too
hit me up dude.. my email is on here..send me and email and ill send you my number[/list]
#198 ally Clarksville, TN · Aug 3, 2011

Listen darrinton academy was one if the best things that happened to me. Say I am brainwashed all you want to. The ones talking shit about it think for a second.....you are probably strung out or doing nothing with yourself. Funny how people look at negatives instead of positives. You aren't going to go anywhere in life if you keep worrying about how darrington so called ruined your life. Your wasting your breathe. Because of lies and ignorance Mr. Darrington is now locked up. Does that make you feel good. Y'all just need to grow up.

Copyright ©2011 Topix LLC

Quote from: "Rotsne"

Another died shortly after being released: Marc Epstein (17) drowned after crashing his new Toyota Scion into a canal, Mydeathspace.com, September 11 2007 (http://http://mydeathspace.com/article/2007/09/11/Marc_Epstein_(17)_drowned_after_crashing_his_new_Toyota_Scion_into_a_canal)

Here's that article, for posterity's sake... Fwiw, the source article (at the end) appears to no longer be available:

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

MyDeathSpace.com
Marc Epstein (17) drowned after crashing his new Toyota Scion into a canal (http://http://mydeathspace.com/article/2007/09/11/Marc_Epstein_(17)_drowned_after_crashing_his_new_Toyota_Scion_into_a_canal)

Filed Under:
Published: Sep 11, 2007 @ 6:10 AM

(http://http://a686.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/28/m_89df4215d827bbda1dce409d735fc3c5.jpg)
Marc Epstein (17)
Date: Sep 08, 2007
Cause of Death: Drowning (Automobile Accident)
Location: Coral Springs, FL
URL: go to their myspace (http://http://mydeathspace.com/go.aspx?back=%2farticle%2f2007%2f09%2f11%2fMarc_Epstein_(17)_drowned_after_crashing_his_new_Toyota_Scion_into_a_canal&go=http%3a%2f%2fprofile.myspace.com%2findex.cfm%3ffuseaction%3duser.viewprofile%26friendID%3d15338930)[/list]

More than 30 young people mourned their friend Marc Epstein, 17, by the side of the Sawgrass Expressway Sunday afternoon after word spread that his body was discovered in a Coral Springs canal a day after he lost control of his new car and plunged into the water.

''We are all like a close family,'' said Joey LaRocco, 17, who grew up with Marc.

Marc's body was found at 11:48 a.m. Sunday near the expressway's Coral Ridge Drive exit by divers from the Broward Sheriff's Office. His Toyota Scion was pulled from the canal Saturday, shortly after the accident.

The popular senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Coral Springs had his life together after being away for about a year, friends said. They declined to say where he had been.

On his MySpace site, friends mourned from South Florida to Blue Ridge, Ga., home of Darrington Academy, where some friends on MySpace said they remembered him.

Friend Travis Bradway, 18, who worked out with Marc at L.A. Fitness, said that when Marc returned, he had a more positive attitude and his life was structured toward doing the right thing.

''He was completely different, in a good way,'' said Bradway, who last saw Marc on Friday.

Another friend, Christina Burgio, told WFOR-CBS 4 that Marc ''just had his life on track.'' Marc told her that he wanted to hang out with the seniors more and become closer to them, Burgio said.

''He had improved so much,'' Burgio said.

By 3 p.m. Sunday, teary-eyed friends gathered on the side of the expressway near the Coral Ridge Drive exit, leaving flowers, balloons with messages like, ''We Will Miss You,'' and rosary beads. Near the damaged wire fence, a man staked a wooden cross into the ground.

Braving the afternoon rain, friends in flip-flops and T-shirts gathered to remember their handsome friend -- until police asked them to leave because of the safety hazard.

Later that night, friends planned a candlelight vigil at the accident scene and flooded his MySpace website with prayers and blessings.

Marc was returning to work about 3 p.m. Saturday on the Sawgrass Expressway after visiting his girlfriend during a break from his job as a cashier at Tunie's Nutrition Center on Coral Ridge Drive when he veered to the right near the exit.

His late-model Toyota Scion ran through a ditch, flipped over a fence and splashed into the canal. Marc was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the car. He was only two minutes from his workplace.

During the day Sunday, a chaplain visited Marc's family home.

Friend Will Karvin said Marc often ate dinner with Will's family. Chicken parmesan and shrimp marinara were his favorites. The teens often ordered McFlurrys from McDonald's during late nights.

''He was one of my best friends,'' Will said.

Marc's friend Joey said Marc was funny, outgoing and good at starting campfires when the friends went camping at Markham Park in Sunrise.

''He was always smiling,'' Joey recalled.

These are some thoughts Marc wrote on his MySpace page:

''Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably.. And never regret anything that made you smile.''

Still in shock, friends filled in their own comments. They promised to keep him in their hearts and look after his friends and family.

Several changed their profile names, adding ''RIP Marc.''

''. . . sorrry i didnt say loveyou back fridayyyyy,'' said one post. Another read: ''school will never be the same without you. i love you marc. stay strong up there in heaven for all of us, watch over all of us, and that we will join you one day. but until then, i'll miss you. we all will. we all love you.''

Related Article(s): Divers find teen's body in Broward canal (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/231900.html)

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Yes these kind of things really required so much work because these kids look like rebel they will take a lot of time to be fine but some kind of therapy would also can help.......

Fornits

Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) => Topic started by: Anonymous on August 21, 2008, 03:51:12 AM