Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => News Items => Topic started by: wdtony on March 11, 2012, 08:35:50 PM
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http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/03/07/44476.htm (http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/03/07/44476.htm)
Violence Alleged at Christian Military School
By JOE HARRIS [/b]
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (CN) -
Parents claim in Federal Court that a Christian military school lets students known as "the Disciplinarians" abuse younger students who are bound, gagged, beaten and urinated upon.
Parents of four students sued St. John's Military School, of Salina, Kan., and The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America.
The plaintiffs claim St. John's has settled nine lawsuits alleging abuse since 2006.
The parents claim the residential boarding school for grades 6 through 12 allows senior students, known as the Disciplinarians, to discipline lower-ranking students.
"Through this model, St. John's hands over to adolescent students the school's obligation to act as parent to each child enrolled at the institution," the complaint states. "These Disciplinarians abuse that power and take their authority beyond any reasonable limits while putting the younger boys in constant fear of physical and mental harm.
"Because St. John's grants its Disciplinarians the authority to discipline the younger boys, it should have heightened security and increased personnel to monitor all activities and protect its children. Yet, in practice, it does quite the opposite.
"St. John's students live in dormitories that even its former president called 'a terrible place.' The dormitories significantly lack monitoring in the form of personnel and cameras. At most, only one adult supervisor remains in the dormitory overnight to monitor the student activities.
"By housing students in facilities with minor supervision, St. John's grants its Disciplinarians carte blanche to do what they wish and inflict harm upon the younger boys."
One student says he was bound, gagged and beaten by multiple students, who took pictures of the assault and posted them on Facebook. This student says he was locked in a locker for 30 minutes, was forced to roll around in the mud in his uniform, then discard his clothes and was urinated on while showering.
Another student claims he witnessed multiple suicide attempts by students, and an attempted rape.
A third student says he was forced to perform physical training until he vomited.
All of the student-plaintiffs claim they were victimized by multiple beatings, including one assault that led to a broken orbital socket and permanent loss of vision.
The plaintiffs say the school encourages students to report abuse - but then tells the Disciplinarians which students made the complaint. Therefore, students who report abuse fear retaliation by the Disciplinarians, the complaint states.
They seek damages for negligent supervision, intentional failure to supervise, intentional infliction of emotional distress or outrage, breach of fiduciary duty and conspiracy to assault and batter.
They are represented by Daniel Zmijewski, with Miller Schirger, of Kansas City, Mo.
St. John's is a member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools.
Program's website: http://www.sjms.org/ (http://www.sjms.org/)
And....
http://www.redorbit.com/news/education/ ... ry_school/ (http://www.redorbit.com/news/education/202744/parents_very_satisfied_with_settlement_from_salina_kan_military_school/)
Parents ‘Very Satisfied’ With Settlement From Salina, Kan., Military School
August 9, 2005
Source: redOrbit (http://s.tt/16cXs (http://s.tt/16cXs))[/b]
Aug. 10–The attorney representing a group of former cadets of St. John’s Military School in Salina said Tuesday the parents of a cadet who lost teeth and had his jaw fractured while being choked unconscious were “very satisifed” by a substantial payment made to settle the case.
Meanwhile, the civil cases filed against the school last fall have resulted in significant changes in policies concerning student conduct and in the school’s admission philosophy, the school’s president said.
The settlement resulted in a dismissal last month of a lawsuit brought by Martin Sure, father of former cadet Michael Shure, now living and attending school in Denver.
The suit was one in a series filed by attorney Patrick Neustrom of the law firm of Achterberg, Neustrom & Angell, 118 S. Seventh. An earlier suit representing another Colorado couple, Michael and Tess McCabe, on behalf of their son, Julian, also was dismissed. The sums of those settlements were not disclosed.
All the alleged incidents took place in 2003 or 2004. Some of the allegations involved beatings with broom sticks and coat hangers.
Two cases remain on file in court. Four others are in talks with the school’s insurance carrier to see if they can be resolved before suits are filed. All the cases could be settled through negotiations, Neustrom said.
“We’re negotiating in good faith with (the insurance company) and they’re trying to resolve these cases for the boys so they can move on,” Neustrom said. “We’re hoping to take positive steps.”
Safer for students Col. Jack Fox, president of St. John’s Military since September 2004, said Tuesday that he and the staff and the board of directors of the school have gone through adjustments to create a safer environment for the students.
Staff members are now required to undergo regular training for dealing with alcohol and other drug problems and anger management.
Cadets who bring discredit to the institution will be dismissed, he said.
This year when the new students, known as “new boys” report on Aug.
26, they will face a zero tolerance policy on hazing, he said.
“If a boy has a history of violence, fighting and fighting again, what I tell staff is don’t bring in any boy that you wouldn’t want your son living with,” Fox said. “We’re not going to take a boy we can’t help. Parents look to us for academics, too. We took a hard look at ourselves, and that’s healthy.”
The Episcopal school, which Fox expects will enroll up to 130 students this fall, serves boys in grades six through 12.
Source: redOrbit (http://s.tt/16cXs (http://s.tt/16cXs))
And....
http://www.ire.org/resource-center/stories/21860/ (http://www.ire.org/resource-center/stories/21860/)
From Investigative Reporters and Editors
St. John's Military School
Number 21860
Subject Schools
Source KWCH-TV (Wichita, KS)
State KS
Year 2004
Publication Date July 18; Nov. 4, 23; Dec. 3
Summary This KWCH investigation revealed a 10-year pattern of abuse at a Kansas military school. A tip from a former employee of the school prompted the TV station to FOIA police records, which noted 28 cases of abuse including boys being beaten with broomsticks, burned with lighters and kicked repeatedly. A related civil suit alleged staff negligence, and other discussions of abuse were found in an alumni chat room on the Internet.
Category None
Pages 25
Keywords TAPE;TRANSCRIPT;military schools;military academy;military cadets;St. John's Military School
Related Links
Related Video
Ordering info Want to place an order? Email us or call us at 573-882-3364 (Stories are only available to members of IRE. For membership information, please refer to our membership page)
Also...
The Truth About Military Schools:
http://militaryschoolsfacts.webs.com/in ... chools.htm (http://militaryschoolsfacts.webs.com/individualschools.htm)
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Wow, that's ridiculous! It sounds like the abuse is systematic and has been going on for decades. In 2004 it came out that the abuse had been happening for 10 years, there were 28 cases of abuse reported, and now this is the tenth lawsuit against St. John's Military School? How is this place still open?? I'm just beside myself.
Well....here's another article about the latest suit....
http://www.postcrescent.com/usatoday/article/38798349 (http://www.postcrescent.com/usatoday/article/38798349)
Parents claim Kan. military school abused sons
2:54 PM, Mar. 14, 2012 |
SALINA, Kan. (WTW) — Parents of four former cadets at a Kansas military school have filed a lawsuit claiming their sons were repeatedly beaten by older students who were in charge of handing out discipline to younger boys.
The Salina Journal (http://bit.ly/yyWts2 (http://bit.ly/yyWts2)) reported Wednesday the federal lawsuit was filed last week in Kansas City, Kan., against St. John's Military School in Salina and the Episcopal Church. It seeks more than $75,000, plus costs and punitive damages.
The suit accuses the school and church of shirking their duties to make sure students were safe at the residential boarding school, which serves boys in sixth through 12th grades.
The plaintiffs claim the school allowed experienced students, called "Disciplinarians," to abuse students, including in the presence of faculty members.
"The school allows and encourages older students to abuse young students — physically, mentally, emotionally and sexually," the lawsuit alleges. "Although St. John's requests that students inform school personnel if beatings occur, it subsequently tells the Disciplinarians which individuals reported the beatings. It is commonly known throughout the school that if a student reports any beatings, he will suffer significant retribution."
The suit does not claim any of the four plaintiffs was sexually abused, but alleges one of the students did witness an attempted rape.
School President Andy England said he didn't have any immediate comment and was meeting with legal counsel to decide how the school would respond. He said Wednesday the school was "due diligence" before coming up with its response.
Two of the plaintiffs are from Colorado, and one each is from Texas and Illinois. All are under 18 years old. Attorney Daniel Zmijewski said more students could be added later.
The Episcopal Church of the United States and the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas are named as defendants because St. John's is affiliated with the Episcopal Church.
The lawsuit claims that if students or their parents reported abuse to school officials, the information was passed to the Disciplinarians and more beatings followed.
One plaintiff who attended the school in the spring of 2011 claims he was bound, gagged and beaten by several students, and photos of the abuse were posted to Facebook. He also claimed he was forced to roll in mud, then several students urinated on him in the shower.
Another plaintiff claims he tried to leave the school and hitch-hike home, but was tracked down by several students and a ranking faculty member on a highway. He claims he was beaten, hooded and beaten again in the presence of the faculty member while being driven back to the school.
A third plaintiff said he was sent to a hospital with a broken eye socket after being kneed in the face by a ranking student.
The lawsuit claims parents whose sons claimed they were abused were told by the school that the children were exaggerating or making up stories because they wanted to go home.
Zmijewski said St. John's has settled nine such cases since 2006.
"This case is similar, the same kind of allegations," Zmijewski said. "I don't think the school is going to be shocked by this."
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Here's a copy of the recent lawsuit, provided by Courthouse News, from the first above article in the OP, "Violence Alleged at Christian Military School (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=39191#p415020)":
- Lawsuit (http://http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/03/07/MilSchool.pdf) (pdf)
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Another source for Pixie's above article (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=39191#p415084):
- "Parents claim Kansas military school abused sons (http://http://www.dodgeglobe.com/newsnow/x1612623052/Parents-claim-Kansas-military-school-abused-sons)" (Mar 15, 2012; Dodge City Daily Globe)
And... here's yet another article from HuffPo:
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Huffington Post
St. John's Military School Sued For 'Disciplinarians,' Allegedly Let Students Punish Each Other Through Gagging, Urination (http://http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/12/st-johns-military-school-_n_1339494.html)
Laura Hibbard
First Posted: 03/12/2012 2:59 pm · Updated: 03/12/2012 2:59 pm
(http://http://i.huffpost.com/gen/530315/thumbs/r-ST-JOHNS-large570.jpg)
• Promotional YouTube clip: SJMS TV Commercial (http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzOEEz_TPZA&feature=player_embedded)
Parents of four students have filed suit against the St. John's Military School in Salina, Kan., claiming the Christian school allowed a group of students -- known as the "Disciplinarians" -- to punish other students by binding, gagging, beating and urinating on them, the Courthouse News Service reports (http://http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/03/07/44476.htm). The suit also names the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America as a defendant.
The plaintiffs claim that St. John's has settled nine suits since 2006 that also claim similar abuse. School officials allowed the seniors to punish the younger students, the complaint alleges, arguing that since the school employs a model of student-to-student discipline, it should have extensive security and surveillance in the dormitories where students reside.
The parents also allege the abuse that underclassmen endured at the hands of seniors has been extensive -- with one student claiming he's witnessed multiple suicide attempts because of it. Other alleged abuses include one student being locked in a locker for 30 minutes, forced to roll around in the mud, then being urinated on in the shower. Another describes one student being beaten so badly that the victim suffered permanent vision loss from a broken orbital socket.
The plaintiffs seek damages for negligent supervision, intentional failure to supervise, intentional infliction of emotional distress or outrage, breach of fiduciary duty and conspiracy to assault and batter.
(Read the full complaint below.)
Earlier this month, two janitors from Gregory Elementary School in Long Beach, N.J. were placed on paid suspension after they allegedly bound and gagged (http://http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/05/new-jersey-janitors-accused-binding-gagging-students_n_1321091.html) two 10-year-olds in the school's bathroom.
Despite the janitors' dismissal, a spokesperson for the school district told My FOX New York (http://http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/report-janitors-lock-students-inside-nj-school-bathroom-20120304) the incident was a "practical joke gone bad."
In February, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy confirmed that he had seen a few of the more than 400 photos of former teacher Mark Berndt reportedly spoon-feeding his semen to blindfolded and gagged students.
"It's sick. It makes you sick to your stomach," Deasy said, according to FOX 11 (http://http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/local/lausd-reacts-to-teachers-arrest-20120131). "I think the thing that is just so horrifying for us is we have thousands of amazing teachers. And we put our trust in them as they supervise students. And to violate that trust is just unforgivable."
The former teacher has since pled not guilty to committing lewd acts (http://http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/21/mark-berndt-arraignment-f_n_1290780.html) with the 23 children -- despite the photo evidence. The entire teaching staff was also temporarily replaced in light of the investigation.
• St. John's Suit (http://http://www.scribd.com/doc/85078233/St-John-s-Suit)
# # #
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Heard you didn't win any SIA awards...... they need a new category: "major researcher". There's always next year.
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Text of the Complaint, taken from the 19-page Scribd.com doc provided at the end of the above Huffington Post article, "St. John's Military School Sued For 'Disciplinarians,' Allegedly Let Students Punish Each Other Through Gagging, Urination (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=39191&p=415148#p415148)"...
[I had some difficulty accessing a good copy of this doc; hence, if there are any typos, they are probably due to my less than apt formatting attempts and probably not due to the original document.]
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[Source: St. John's Suit (http://http://www.scribd.com/doc/85078233/St-John-s-Suit)]
Case No. 12-cv-2132 JWL/KGG
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF KANSAS
YOLANDA NKEMAKOLAM, as Parent and Next Friend of K.N., and
CHRISTINE STACY, as Parent and Next Friend of N.S., and
PATRICK STACY, as Parent and Next Friend of G.S., and
DIANE TIMM, as Parent and Next Friend of H.T., and
JOHN DOES 1-50,
Plaintiffs,[/list][/list]
v.
ST. JOHN'S MILITARY SCHOOL
[SERVE: St John's Military School
Resident Agent
1300 N. Santa Fe
Salina,KS 67401],[/list]
and
THE DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
[SERVE: The Corporation Trust Company Corporation Trust Center
1029 Orange Street Wilmington, DE 19801],[/list]
and
THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF KANSAS, INC.
[SERVE: Dean E. Wolfe
835 SW Polk St., Bethany Place
Topeka, KS 66612][/list]
Defendants.[/list][/list][/list]
COMPLAINT
Plaintiffs, Yolanda Nkemakolam, as parent and next friend of K.N. ("K.N."), Christine Stacy, as parent and next friend of N.S. (N.S.), Patrick Stacy, as parent and next friend of G.S. ("G.S."), and Diane Timm as parent and next friend of H.T. ("H.T.") (all Plaintiffs will collectively be referred to as "Plaintiffs"), for their cause of action against Defendant St. John's Military School ("St. John's"), The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States ("Episcopal Church") and the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, Inc. ("Kansas Episcopal Church") (collectively the "Episcopal Church Defendants") allege and state as follows:
INTRODUCTION
'Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
"When we assumed the soldier, we did not lay aside the citizen."
"Leave no man behind."
—U.S. Marine Corp. mantra
[/list]
St. John's episcopal military school is the antithesis of such valued instructions. The school allows and encourages older students to abuse young students - physically, mentally, emotionally and sexually. Students reporting abuse are "RATS" subject to additional abuse by the school and students for their disloyalty. When concerned parents inquire about injuries to their children, the school responds in lies to cover-up its true culture. This is not a case about mere hazing, or a case of "boys will be boys." This action chronicles a dangerous and disturbing culture at a boys military school which must end.
THE PARTIES
1. Plaintiff K.N. is a resident of the State of Texas and resides at 19003 La Verita, San Antonio, Texas. K.N. is a minor, under the age of 18. Yolanda Nkemakolam is the parent and legal guardian of K.N. During portions of the 2011-2012 school year, K.N. was enrolled as a student at St. John's.
2. Plaintiff N.S. is a resident of the State of Colorado and resides at 1265 Snowberry Lane, Broomfield, Colorado. N.S. is a minor, under the age of 18. Christine Stacy is the parent and legal guardian of N.S. During portions of the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years, N.S. was enrolled as a student at St. John's.
3. Plaintiff G.S. is a resident of the State of Colorado and resides at 1265 Snowberry Lane, Broomfield, Colorado. G.S. is a minor, under the age of 18. Patrick Stacy is the parent and legal guardian of G.S. During portions of the 2011-2012 school year, N.S. was enrolled as a student at St. John's.
4. Plaintiff H.T. is a resident of the State of Illinois and resides at 3814 Berry Court, Crystal Lake, Illinois. H.T. is a minor, under the age of 18. Diane Timm is the parent and legal guardian of H.T. During portions of the 2011-2012 school year, H.T. was enrolled as a student at St. John's.
5. Defendant St. John's is a Kansas corporation with its principal place of business at 110 East Otis Avenue, Salina, Kansas 67401. The registered agent for service of process is St. John's Military School, 1300 North Santa Fe Avenue, Salina, Kansas 67401.
6. Defendant the Episcopal Church is a not-for-profit New York corporation. The registered agent for service of process is The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801
7. Defendant the Kansas Episcopal Church is a Kansas not for profit organization with its principal place of business at 835 SW Polk, Topeka, Kansas 66612. The registered agent for service of process on The Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, Inc. is Dean E. Wolfe, 835 SW Polk Street Bethany Place, Topeka, KS 66612.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
8. Jurisdiction is proper in this Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1332 as the matter in controversy exceeds the sum of $75,000 and the parties are citizens of different states.
9. Venue is proper pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1391 as Defendant St. John's is a resident of this district. Furthermore, a substantial part of the events giving rise to the claims brought in this action took place in this judicial district.
FACTS COMMON TO ALL COUNTS
10. St. John's is a residential boarding school located in Salina, Kansas.
11. St. John's houses and allegedly educates students from grades 6 through 12.
12. St. John's provides housing for its students on its premises.
13. As a residential boarding school for minors, St. John's stands in the position of parents and guardians of students in attendance. As a result, St. John's has a special "duty" to protect students and to regulate and monitor the behavior of all students.
14. St. John's represents itself as a military school and at the same time it is affiliated with the Episcopal Church Defendants and a member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools.
15. St. John's was founded by the Episcopal Bishop Elisha Smith Thomas. It has an episcopal chapel on campus and an Episcopal Chaplain lives on campus. All students attend Sunday morning services as well as Wednesday night services.
16. The Chaplain leads the Chapel Council, a group of students that participate in the liturgical worship of the Episcopal Church. The Episcopal Chaplain also teaches an ethics class and counsels students at St. John's.
17. Through the intricate association with St. John's, the Episcopal Church Defendants are aware of and condone St. John's and its practices.
18. St. John's markets itself throughout the country and, in fact, runs television advertisements in the Denver, Colorado area.
19. On its website, St. John's boasts it was founded in 1887 and, for over 120 years, the school has been dedicated to the development of young men while maintaining a principal objective to help ensure that children's future lives are filled with success, happiness, and personal fulfillment.
20. St. John's explains its principal objective is achieved through a rigorous academic environment complemented by a structured campus life, promoting the development of personal qualities such as personal grace, confidence, respect, high moral character, and leadership that will be indispensable to its students in their future years.
21. In order to attend St. John's, parents are required to sign a contract with the school which mandates payment of $29,500 per year. The contracted amount is non-refundable regardless of dismissal for cause or voluntary withdrawal.
22. Although not, in fact, the military, St. John's represents that it "educates" children through a structured military routine.
23. When children are initially enrolled in St. John's, they begin a six week process known as "New Boy" training. During this process, children are not permitted to talk to anyone and are subjected to significant Physical Training ("P.T.").
24. After graduating from New Boy, each child is placed into a "company" where they typically reside for the remainder of the school year.
25. St. John's "structured teaching model" grants students at senior levels (the "Disciplinarians") the authority to discipline New Boys and other low ranking students (the "Younger Boys").
26. Through this model, St. John's hands over to adolescent students the school's obligation to act as parent to each child enrolled at the institution. These Disciplinarians abuse that power and take their authority beyond any reasonable limits while putting the Younger Boys in constant fear of physical and mental harm.
27. Because St. John's grants its Disciplinarians the authority to discipline the Younger Boys, it should have heightened security and increased personnel to monitor all activities and protect its children. Yet, in practice, it does quite the opposite.
28. St. John's students live in dormitories that even its former president called "a terrible place." The dormitories significantly lack monitoring in the form of personnel and cameras. At most, only one adult supervisor remains in the dormitory overnight to monitor the student activities.
29. By housing students in facilities with minor supervision, St. John's grants its Disciplinarians carte blanche to do what they wish and inflict harm upon the Younger Boys.
30. St. John's is on notice that abuse occurs throughout the school and has instigated arbitrary and capricious measures to create a false representation that it makes an effort to protect its students.
31. One of those measures is a bruise check system, a routine where the students are checked for bruises by St. John's staff on a weekly basis. The checks are arbitrary because they take place on the same day each week. If a bruise is found, essentially any excuse for its creation is accepted and, of course, any children that fear the threat of retribution will not inform the school of the individual that abused them.
32. Although St. John's requests that students inform school personnel if beatings occur, it subsequently tells the Disciplinarians which individual reported the beatings. It is commonly known throughout the school that if a student reports any beatings, he will suffer significant retribution.
33. Similarly, if a parent contacts the school to discuss concerns regarding physical abuse, the staff will discuss the concerns with the Disciplinarians responsible for caring for the lesser ranked students, a practice which results in additional abuse.
34. In short, St. John's accepts almost $30,000 per student, hands over its obligations to the Disciplinarians, and turns a blind eye to abuse and ignores cries for help from the Younger Boys.
35. St. John's allowance of student discipline has resulted in physical harm to its students in the forms of:
(a) Vomiting and physical exhaustion as a result of too much PT;
(b) Branding;
(c) Saber swatting;
(d) Initiation rituals that include physical beatings with locks, soap and fists; and
(e) Other physical and mental abuse.
36. Since the Spring of 2006, St. John's has settled NINE (9) lawsuits related to abuse of its students.
37. St. John's knew or should have known, through the numerous lawsuits stemming from physical abuse it settled, that the Disciplinarians have acted and continued to act in a manner that is physically injurious to others.
38. St. John's knew or should have known, through the numerous lawsuits stemming from physical abuse it settled, that Plaintiffs would be forced into contact with students who tended to act in a manner that was physically injurious to others.
39. St. John's knew or should have known, through numerous reports of physical abuse from its students and their parents, that the Disciplinarians are acting in a manner that is physically injurious to others.
40. St. John's knew or should have known, through numerous reports of physical abuse from its students and their parents, that Plaintiffs would be forced into contact with students who tended to act in a manner that was physically injurious to others.
K.N.
41. K.N. attended St. John's during the Spring semester of 2011.
42. While attending St. John's, K.N. was subjected to significant physical and mental abuse including the following:
(a) In one incident, K.N. was bound, gagged and beaten by multiple students. The students took pictures of the event and posted them to Facebook.
(b) K.N. was randomly assaulted by multiple students for inconsequential reasons.
(c) K.N. was pushed around, locked into a locker, and left in it for over 30 minutes.
(d) K.N. was forced to get into his uniform, roll around in mud and then discard all of his clothes.
(e) K.N. was urinated on by other students while in the shower.
(f) K.N. was bullied into purchasing food for other students and was afraid to sleep at night for fear that other students would steal his personal belongings or demand he awake to perform PT.
43. During his stay at St. John's, K.N. told his parents of the conditions and abuse. K.N.'s parents contacted the school on multiple occasions to discuss the situation.
44. Every time the issues were presented to the school, the school informed K.N.'s parents that he was doing just fine and he was making up stories in hopes of leaving the school.
45. On multiple occasions, K.N.'s parents contacted Sgt.Maj. Jerry Nichols, the Director of Cadet Life. Each time, Nichols informed K.N.'s parents that everything was fine with K.N. and he was making up stories. On the final phone call to Nichols prior to Thanksgiving break, Mr. Nichols became upset and exclaimed "it pisses me off that he is bothering you guys like this!"
46. In December, K.N. approached the school president to inform him of the abuse he was suffering to which the president inquired whether K.N. suffered from a mental problem.
47. Since leaving St. John's, K.N. has suffered from an inability to sleep as a result of constant nightmares and has been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ("PTSD") as a result of the abuse he suffered while attending St. John's.
48. In order to function, K.N. must take medication.
49. K.N. incurred and continues to incur medical expenses as a result of the abuse.
50. Additionally, because St. John's has refused to release K.N.'s transcripts, K.N. will be forced to redo the 11th grade starting in the Fall of 2012.
N.S.
51. N.S. attended St. John's during the 2010-11 school year and returned for the 2011-12 year, but was ultimately dismissed in January of 2012.
52. N.S.'s life was threatened by another student on the first day he arrived at St. John's.
53. While at St. John's, N.S. was the victim of multiple beatings at the hands of certain students.
54. N.S. was physically beaten for things such as leaving his room during study hall or for having tobacco in his room.
55. The beatings came in the form of violent blows to the head or punches to the body in order to avoid areas that could be seen during a bruise check.
56. While attending St. John's, N.S. witnessed children attempt to commit suicide and, on one occasion, an attempted rape.
57. N.S. reported the situation to his parents but requested his parents not contact the school because it was common knowledge that if someone reported something, the student would be beaten worse the next time.
G.S.
58. G.S. attended St. John's for the Fall semester of 2011 and returned for just a short period in the Winter of 2012 before being dismissed.
59. While at St. John's, G.S. witnessed beatings take place on daily basis.
60. While at St. John's, G.S. was forced at any hours of the day to participate in PT to the point of vomiting.
61. After deciding he did not want to stay at St. John's any longer, G.S., along with another student, left the school and attempted to hitch-hike back to Colorado.
62. Upon realizing the students' absence, the Commandant of the school organized students in the Advanced Military Skills ("AMS") group, put them on a bus and searched for G.S.
63. G.S. was found on the highway. Upon being found, G.S. was beaten by the students. When G.S was placed on the bus, other students put his hood over his head and repeatedly slammed his head into the seat in front of him.
64. The Commandant who was driving the bus witnessed the beating, allowed the beating to occur, and refused to intervene.
65. Upon exiting the bus, G.S. was told by the Commandant that he did not see anything. Subsequently, G.S.'s backpack was dumped out, water was poured upon him, his shoes were tied together and he was forced to stand at attention for an hour.
66. G.S.'s experience at St. John's has had a traumatic affect upon him.
H.T.
67. H.T. attended St. John's from October 2011 through December 2011.
68. While attending St. John's, H.T was the victim of multiple beatings and suffered from extreme abuse.
69. Rather than being granted the right to eat, on many occasions H.T. was pulled out of meal time to participate in strenuous PT to the point of vomiting or absolute exhaustion.
70. When H.T. returned home for Thanksgiving, he had visible bruises upon his face.
71. The bruises were a result of an incident where several students entered H.T.'s room with the intent to lock him into a locker.
72. Rather than getting locked in the locker, H.T. defended himself and, as a result, was significantly beaten by the students.
73. In a separate incident occurring on the evening of December 8, 2011, H.T. was in his room when a senior ranking student entered.
74. While H.T. was standing at parade rest (hands behind his back), the senior ranking student began interrogating H.T. about a bag of laundry. Within seconds, the student took H.T.'s head and slammed it against his knee.
75. Rather than receiving proper medical attention at the time, St. John's staff did nothing more than contact H.T.'s parents to represent H.T. "had been in a fight" and that he would go to the nurse's office in the morning.
76. When his injuries were finally addressed the next morning, H.T. was sent to the hospital because he suffered a fractured orbital socket as a result of the knee to the head. Prior to flying home for the holidays, H.T. was forced to see an eye specialist due to an increased risk of pressure in his eye potentially resulting in permanent vision loss.
77. Even though physical violence is grounds for expulsion at St. John's, the student that broke H.T.'s orbital socket was not expelled.
78. Well prior to December 8, 2011, H.T.'s parents had contacted the school with concerns regarding abuse.
79. On October 17, 2011, H.T.'s parents contacted Sgt. Maj. Jerry Nichols to discuss the things they had heard from H.T. and observed at parent's weekend. The response was that it was common for boys to tell stories to make their parents feel sorry for them and he represented that St. John's does not condone such physical beatings. Nichols represented he would look into the issue, but never contacted the parents again.
80. H.T. incurred and continues to incur medical expenses as a result of the abuse.
COUNT I
NEGLIGENT SUPERVISION BY ST. JOHN'S
81. Plaintiffs incorporate each and every allegation contained in numbered Paragraphs 1 through 80 above and make the same a part hereof as if fully set forth herein.
82. St. John's acts in loco parentis with respect to its students. As such, St. John's had a duty to control the conduct of the students who physically harmed Plaintiffs so as to prevent them from doing such harm and to protect Plaintiffs against unreasonable risks of harm.
83. In failing to properly supervise and/or otherwise control the conduct of its students, St. John's breached its duty.
84. St. John's breach of its duty to control the conduct of its students was the cause-in-fact and proximate cause of Plaintiffs' injuries.
85. Plaintiffs suffered damages as a result of St. John's negligence.
86. St. John's is therefore liable for Plaintiffs' damages.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully request the court enter judgment in their favor against St John's in an amount in excess of $75,000.00; that the costs of this action be assessed against St. John's; that the Court grant punitive damages against St. John's; and, that the Court grant such other and further relief as it deems fair and equitable in the circumstances.
COUNT II
NEGLIGENT SUPERVISION BY THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH DEFENDANTS
87. Plaintiffs incorporate each and every allegation contained in numbered Paragraphs 1 through 86 above and make the same a part hereof as if fully set forth herein.
88. The Episcopal Church Defendants, the very entity that created the school, have a physical presence at St. John's through the presence of a Chaplain and a chapel, yet they make no effort to supervise and protect the students.
89. By being present and representing their influence over the institution on St. John's web site and through media and other sources the Episcopal Church Defendants know of their duty to control and supervise St. John's.
90. By intentionally failing to supervise and/or otherwise control the conduct of St. John's, the Episcopal Church Defendants breached their duty.
91. Plaintiffs suffered damages as a result of the failure to supervise.
92. The Episcopal Church Defendants are therefore liable for Plaintiffs' damages.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully request the court enter judgment in their favor against the Episcopal Church Defendants in an amount in excess of $75,000.00; that the costs of this action be assessed against Episcopal Church Defendants; for punitive damages; and, that the Court grant such other and further relief as it deems fair and equitable in the circumstances.
COUNT III
INTENTIONAL FAILURE TO SUPERVISE
93. Plaintiffs incorporate each and every allegation contained in numbered Paragraphs 1 through 92 above and make the same a part hereof as if fully set forth herein.
94. St. John's acts in loco parentis with respect to its students. As such, St. John's had a duty to control the conduct of the students who physically harmed Plaintiffs so as to prevent them from doing such harm and to protect Plaintiffs against unreasonable risks of harm.
95. St. John's knew of its duty to control its students and was aware of the dangerous propensities of some of its students.
96. By intentionally failing to supervise and/or otherwise control the conduct of its students, St. John's nurtures and promotes the violent atmosphere and as such breached its duty.
97. Plaintiffs suffered damages as a result of St. John's failure to supervise its students.
98. St. John's is therefore liable for Plaintiffs' damages.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully request the court enter judgment in their favor against St. John's in an amount in excess of $75,000.00; that the costs of this action be assessed against St. John's; for punitive damages; and, that the Court grant such other and further relief as it deems fair and equitable in the circumstances.
COUNT IV
INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS or OUTRAGE
99. Plaintiffs incorporate each and every allegation contained in numbered Paragraphs 1 through 98 above and make the same a part hereof as if fully set forth herein.
100. St. John's through its conduct acted intentionally or with reckless disregard of the possibility of causing emotional distress to Plaintiffs by placing Plaintiffs in close proximity with persons in its custody whom it knew acted in a manner that was physically injurious to others, and further by failing to supervise or control the conduct of those persons.
101. St. John's conduct as outlined in the paragraphs above was also extreme and outrageous.
102. St. John's conduct was the cause-in-fact and proximate cause of Plaintiffs' emotional distress.
103. As a result of St. John's conduct, Plaintiffs suffered severe and extreme emotional distress.
104. Therefore, St. John's committed the tort of Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress against Plaintiffs, and is liable to Plaintiffs for compensatory as well as punitive damages.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully requests the court enter judgment in their favor against St. John's in an amount in excess of $75,000.00; that the costs of this action be assessed against St. John's; for punitive damages; and, that the Court grant such other and further relief as it deems fair and equitable in the circumstances.
COUNT V
NEGLIGENT INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
105. Plaintiffs incorporate each and every allegation contained in numbered Paragraphs 1 through 104 above and make the same a part hereof as if fully set forth herein.
106. St. John's acts in loco parentis with respect to its students. As such, St. John's had a duty to control the conduct of the students who physically harmed Plaintiffs so as to prevent them from doing such harm and to protect Plaintiffs against unreasonable risks of harm.
107. In failing to properly supervise and/or otherwise control the conduct of its students, St. John's breached its duty.
108. St. John's through its conduct and omission acted with disregard of the possibility of causing emotional distress to Plaintiffs by placing Plaintiffs in close proximity with persons in its custody whom it knew acted in a manner that was physically injurious to others, and further by failing to supervise or control the conduct of those persons.
109. St. John's conduct as outlined in the paragraphs above was also extreme and outrageous.
110. St. John's conduct was the cause-in-fact and proximate cause of Plaintiffs' emotional distress.
111. As a result of St. John's conduct, Plaintiffs suffered severe and extreme emotional distress.
112. Therefore, St. John's committed the tort of Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress against Plaintiffs, and is liable to Plaintiffs for compensatory as well as punitive damages.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully requests the court enter judgment in their favor against St. John's in an amount in excess of $75,000.00; that the costs of this action be assessed against St. John's; for punitive damages; and, that the Court grant such other and further relief as it deems fair and equitable in the circumstances.
COUNT VI
BREACH OF FIDUCIARY DUTY
113. Plaintiffs incorporate each and every allegation contained in numbered Paragraphs 1 through 112 above and make the same a part hereof as if fully set forth herein.
114. As a boarding school St. John's has a duty to act in loco parentis to its students, giving rise to a fiduciary duty.
115. By failing to supervise its students and allowing Plaintiffs to be beaten, St. John's breached its duty to Plaintiffs.
116. St. John's breach of its duty to supervise and control the conduct of its students was the cause-in-fact and proximate cause of Plaintiffs' injuries.
117. Plaintiffs suffered damages as a result of St. John's breach.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully requests the court enter judgment in their favor against St. John's in an amount in excess of $75,000.00; that the costs of this action be assessed against St. John's; and, that the Court grant such other and further relief as it deems fair and equitable in the circumstances.
COUNT VII
CIVIL CONSPIRACY OF ASSAULT AND BATTERY
118. Plaintiffs incorporate each and every allegation contained in numbered Paragraphs 1 through 117 above and make the same a part hereof as if fully set forth herein.
119. St. John's acts in loco parentis with respect to its students. As such, St. John's had a duty to control the conduct of the students who physically harmed Plaintiffs so as to prevent them from doing such harm and to protect Plaintiffs against unreasonable risks of harm.
120. The Discipliners were entrusted by St. John's with the duty of physically training and disciplining the Younger Boys, including the Plaintiffs.
121. The Discipliners, at the direction and, in at least one instance, under the observation of St. John's and its employees, attempted and succeeded in causing physical contact with Plaintiffs.
122. The Discipliners, at the direction and, in at least one instance, under the observation of St. John's and its employees, attempted and succeeded in causing the immediate apprehension of physical contact in Plaintiffs.
123. The attempts to physically injure and physical contact with Plaintiffs were unlawful and unjustified.
124. As a result of such attempts, Plaintiffs sustained injuries.
125. The Discipliners, at the direction and, in at least one instance, under the observation of St. John's and its employees, committed assault and battery upon Plaintiffs.
126. St. John's did wrongfully conspire with certain students to commit assault and battery upon Plaintiffs.
127. St. John's conspiracy was the cause-in-fact and proximate cause of Plaintiffs' injuries.
128. Plaintiffs suffered damages as a result of the conspiracy.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully requests the court enter judgment in their favor against St. John's in an amount in excess of $75,000.00; that the costs of this action be assessed against St. John's; and, that the Court grant such other and further relief as it deems fair and equitable in the circumstances.
JURY DEMAND
Plaintiffs, request a jury trial on all issues so capable of being tried as they are entitled pursuant to their Seventh Amendment Constitutional rights.
DESIGNATION OF PLACE OF TRIAL
Plaintiffs hereby designate Kansas City, Kansas as the place of trial in this case.
Respectfully submitted,
MILLER SCHIRGER, LLC /s/ Daniel R. Zmiiewski
Daniel R. Zmijewski, KS #21275
4520 Main Street, Suite 1570
Kansas City, MO 64111
P: 816-561-6500
F: 816-561-6501
E:
[email protected] (http://mailto:[email protected])
ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFFS[/list][/list]
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KSAL - News Radio 1150
Abuse Allegations at St. John's Military School (http://http://www.ksallink.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=21308&format=html)
By Associated Press / KSAL Staff
Wed 12:02 PM 03/14/2012
(http://http://www.ksallink.com/media/media.php?id=21068&path=2012-03-14&type=jpg&mode=constrain&width=300&height=480)
A federal lawsuit claims the school allows older students, called "Disciplinarians," to discipline younger students who step out of line.
A Kansas military school is being sued by parents of cadets who say their sons were regularly abused by older students with the blessing of school officials.
A federal lawsuit was filed against St. John's Military School last week in Kansas City, Kan. It claims the school allows older students, called "Disciplinarians," to discipline younger students who step out of line. The parents of four boys claim their sons suffered severe beatings by the Disciplinarians, and when the boys reported the abuse to school officials, the beatings got worse.
According to Courthouse News Service, one student says he was bound, gagged and beaten by multiple students, who took pictures of the assault and posted them on Facebook. This student says he was locked in a locker for 30 minutes, was forced to roll around in the mud in his uniform, then discard his clothes and was urinated on while showering.
Another student claims he witnessed multiple suicide attempts by students, and an attempted rape.
A third student says he was forced to perform physical training until he vomited.
All of the student-plaintiffs claim they were victimized by multiple beatings, including one assault that led to a broken orbital socket and permanent loss of vision.
School President Andy England says he was meeting with legal counsel and the school was doing "due diligence" before responding to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit claims the school has settled nine similar abuse cases since 2006.
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Associated Press Information from: the Salina Journal
© 2007 - 2012 Salina Media Group
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Comments (http://http://www.ksallink.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=21308&format=html) left for the above article, "Abuse Allegations at St. John's Military School (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=39191&p=415154#p415154)" (by Associated Press / KSAL Staff, 03/14/2012, KSAL - News Radio 1150), #s 1-20:
getumgranny · Wednesday 14 March 2012 13:45
So, I'm just going to say it!!! Half of these boys are sent here because the parents can't be bothered to raise them, too busy traveling and living their own lives to mess with the children they had to have to look good to their friends. Most of the rest of them are sent here because they got into trouble and they were given an option to come here or a reform school of some sort. I'm sure there are a few that come here because they think that will give them an upper hand at getting into a military officers academy somewhere. So, in conclusion, if they CHOOSE to come here, and, if there are other documented problems, obviously you were not too concerned about sending your little darlings here or you would have looked into this stuff closer!!
ruralresident · Wednesday 14 March 2012 14:59
REGUARDLESS of why they are there.......this should NOT be happening to these boys!! THATS what it IMPORTANT!!
ruralresident · Wednesday 14 March 2012 15:05
NOTE TO KSAL: I cant wait until the day that you guys do what SALINA.COM does by holding people reliable for their comments. People sure say a whole lot more by going undercover like they do on here rather than commenting under their real names.
CaseIH · Wednesday 14 March 2012 15:27
I think KSAL does a great job with their site. I quit going to Salina.com b/c they have pop ups everytime you click. All the ads on this site are on the side or top of the page. The ads really are a lot better on here from the SpeakEasy to Mike Losik to New Horizons dental. You don't keep getting the same ones like on Salina.com. If I didn't have KSALlink, I don't know what I would do!
pops67401 · Wednesday 14 March 2012 15:32
Exactly...the popups can drive you n#*! on SJ website. These comments should all be taken with a grain of salt. If you don't like...just don't read. It's really as simple as that.
Noob · Wednesday 14 March 2012 16:36
A third student says he was forced to perform physical training until he vomited. Its called military school for a reason fat boy. I did this several times in high school football practice. Mabee I should sue. This is basically a Juvenile Delinquent facility. Not saying I condone the behavior of the students or the staff not doing anything about it. St Johns is a little mini prison and when they get older it will be much worse.
roselizzy · Wednesday 14 March 2012 16:46
I don't believe in abuse of any kind.But....have you seen how some of these boys act on week end passes?Doesn't seem like a prison to me.
jimdingo · Wednesday 14 March 2012 17:56
You make it sound like happenings in the Catholic Church. It sounds like sissy parents of sissy kids. When a drill team can get 999 points out of a possible 1000, you need discipline, and dedication. My hat is still off to St. John's regardless of this news article.
roadwarrior · Wednesday 14 March 2012 18:41
Forced to roll in mud and physical activity until vomiting would really be a matter of situation and context as to whether or not it was abuse. The beatings however are almost 100% sure to be uncalled for. Urinated on in the shower...I'm sorry but it happens in pretty much every locker room with juvenile boys. First and only time it happened to me I promptly turned around and spit in the guys face. Made him think twice about saying it was no big deal because we were in the shower, the excuse others had tried to use in the past.
RedNeckWatch · Wednesday 14 March 2012 20:01
Dear getumgranny, you don't know whether what you are saying is true. You are just perpetuating stereotypes about military school students. Shame on you granny.
RedNeckWatch · Wednesday 14 March 2012 20:07
ruralresident -- the reason people use logon names is because they don't want some idiot retaliating against them for exercising their First Amendment rights or have their boss or coworkers or neighbors ridicule them for their opinion. Oh, and by the way, you could have registered to comment on this website using your REAL NAME instead of using "ruralresident" so we could hold you more accountable for your opinions.
Iamgonnagetu · Wednesday 14 March 2012 21:27
Looks like another group that needs a rights ordinance. Get ready city commissioners. Remember once you do it for one group you will have to do it'd for every group that wants it or its discrimination.
CPTSaville · Wednesday 14 March 2012 23:05
As a current cadet, I can support the fact that the vast majority of these statements are false and created by the kid to get out of military school. It’s simple really: The kid says he’s being beat, causes the parents to get upset and take the kid out of military school, the kid starts going back to skipping class and doing drugs. Exactly what he was doing before St. John’s. No one likes attending an all-male boarding school away from their friends and family, so frequently stories get made up as a way of escaping. St. John’s is no paradise, and it may not be as free as being at home, but it isn’t a highschool version of Guantanamo Bay.
RedNeckWatch · Thursday 15 March 2012 00:26
Dear Iamgonnagetu -- that is just silly. I eat baloney sandwiches on Firday nights and DEMAND th City pass an ordinance to protect my right to eat baloney sandwiches every Friday night is I by Dod feel like. Do you really think I will be taken seriously or that the City would have to meet my demand despite the fact it is obviously rediculous? Just because someone demands legislation does not mean the City is required to pass the legislation. Our founding fathers recognized that legislation is necessary to protect people from serious harm at the hands of the majority. Wake up and exercise your mind. Quit making the same old stereotypical arguments of uniformed people.
GETALIFE674 · Thursday 15 March 2012 01:07
Years ago they put soap bars in pillow cases to take care of problem kids. Looks to me we have an attorney looking to make money, what do they call them ambluance chasers.
GETALIFE674 · Thursday 15 March 2012 01:10
redneck I bet after you eat your sandwich on friday you go out and bash gays for sport.
getumgranny · Thursday 15 March 2012 06:47
Redneckwatch: Yes, I do know what I am saying is true. I have over the years had several occasions to be associated with many of the faculty, and I can attest to the fact, all the ones I have known were fine, upstanding people. They are dealing with alot of spoiled rotten boys daily, boys that have been used to getting what they want, when they want. That however is another discussion, some of the youth today being spoiled and thinking they are entitled and think they do not have to conform to rules.
HowardBThiname · Thursday 15 March 2012 07:33
The school has a long history of this type of abuse. Whether it's true or not - St. John's is a dinosaur. It long ago outgrew its usefulness. If troubled kids need a place to go - let's not pepper our military with them. Godknows we don't need any more troubled younguns going from military school to our military. Physical disclipline is antiquated. It used to be acceptable - but no longer. The kids who really come for premilitary training are cheated by the inclusion of these troubled kids. Close the doors. The interested kids can join ROTC. Troubled teens can go to another holding pen. St. Johns is over. Let's let it pass quietly away and forget our society ever had a need for something so diametrically opposed to what a childhood should entail.
Iamgonnagetu · Thursday 15 March 2012 08:02
HowardB your thinking is what got these guys in military school to begin with. When parents were able to discipline their children with some swats on the butt you had kids grow up with a sense of responsibility and respect. You do not find that in kids today and we as a society are left to handle the repercussions.
goodgolly · Thursday 15 March 2012 08:13
To the parents of the boys, TAKE YOUR KIDS HOME AND RAISE THEM YOURSELF... just because you failed to do your job as a parent doesnt give you the right to go after the school.
© 2007 - 2012 Salina Media Group
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Comments (http://http://www.ksallink.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=21308&format=html) left for the above article, "Abuse Allegations at St. John's Military School (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=39191&p=415154#p415154)" (by Associated Press / KSAL Staff, 03/14/2012, KSAL - News Radio 1150), #s 21-25:
HOMER · Thursday 15 March 2012 08:25
At least they weren't sanduskied!!
THEENFORCER · Thursday 15 March 2012 08:59
WHAT A BUNCH OF WIMPS. WE GOT A DEADBEAT LAWYER LOOKING TO MAKE MONEY AND SOME WIMPY KIDS WHO RECEIVED DISCIPLINE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR LIVES AND A BUNCH OF PARENTS WHO COULD NOT PARENT AND JUST WANTED THESE KIDS OUT OF THEIR SIGHT. IF YOU WANT TO PROTECT JR KEEP HIS BUTT AT HOME.
WhoCares · Thursday 15 March 2012 09:55
Well if this school is so innocent...as it claims.... Why did they settle out of court 9 other times since 2006??? If it was me, and I knew I did nothing wrong, screw settling out of court, we are going all the way to the supreme court if needed...
bobsuruncle · Thursday 15 March 2012 12:12
Many of us who were abused there have kept silent all these years. Shame and a feeling of guilt (which we were not) prevents us from telling the truth of what happened to us behind those walls. We didnt deserve it any more than these other boys did. All I can say is they are lucky its only nine lawsuits....it could have been a hundred.
RedNeckWatch · Thursday 15 March 2012 13:05
THEENFORCER -- thank you. We need you to define the lunatic fringe of the debate. Good job!
© 2007 - 2012 Salina Media Group
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Things are starting to get ugly. SJMS is seeking a gag order:
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The Republic - Columbus, Indiana
Kan. military school seeks gag order in latest lawsuit alleging abuse of its former cadets (http://http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/76e839acea2f4a73a4235758eca98d31/KS--Military-School-Lawsuit/)
ROXANA HEGEMAN Associated Press
First Posted: March 15, 2012 - 9:11 pm
Last Updated: March 15, 2012 - 8:41 pm
WICHITA, Kan. — After settling nine previous abuse lawsuits in recent years, a Kansas military school asked a federal judge Thursday to bar parents and others involved in the latest such litigation from publicly talking about the case.
Attorneys for St. John's Military School in Salina filed a motion Thursday seeking a gag order in the lawsuit filed by parents alleging their sons were repeatedly beaten by higher-ranking students in charge of discipline. U.S. District Judge John Lungstrum scheduled a hearing for Tuesday.
The lawsuit, filed last week, contends the Kansas boarding school "allows and encourages older students to abuse young students — physically, mentally, emotionally and sexually." It was filed by parents from Colorado, Texas and Illinois.
"This is not a case about mere hazing, or a case of 'boys will be boys.' This action chronicles a dangerous and disturbing culture at a boys military school which must end," according to the complaint filed in federal court in Kansas.
The military-style boarding school — which draws students for grades 6-12 from across the nation — issued a statement Wednesday saying it was studying the allegations and was determined to defend itself.
"St. John's denies that there was a culture of abuse, lack of institutional control, failure to supervise or any kind of cover-up as alleged by the attorney for the parents who have sued," according to the statement.
St. John's has settled nine other lawsuits filed since 2006 alleging abuse.
The school is now seeking a court order prohibiting the parties, attorneys and their staff and witnesses from making public comments or conducting interviews about the current allegations, prior lawsuits and prior settlements. It took issue with public statements plaintiff's counsel made about prior lawsuits and the merits of the pending case.
"To permit plaintiffs' counsel to subvert the jury via the public forum is wholly inappropriate and must be stopped if defendant is to receive a fair trial," attorneys for St. John's told the court.
The lawsuit contends some students suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the abuse.
The latest lawsuit filed last week contends a student who attended the school in the spring of 2011 was bound, gagged and beaten by several students, and photos of the abuse were posted to Facebook. He also claimed he was forced to roll in mud, then several students urinated on him in the shower.
Another student alleges he tried to leave the school and hitchhike home but was tracked down by several students and a ranking faculty member on a highway. He contends he was beaten, hooded and beaten again in the presence of the faculty. Another cadet was sent to a hospital with a broken eye socket after being kneed in the face by a ranking student.
©2012 The Republic, a division of Home News Enterprises unless otherwise noted.
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It figures they don't want anyone talking and finding the truth...I hope to God that the judge decides against the gag order.
Very interesting client on client being in the allegations, that needs to be in there.
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Yeah... "regulation" is really gonna do a lot.
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The same article (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=39191&p=415188#p415157) has also been published by the Lawrence Journal World with the title of "Military school seeks gag order in abuse lawsuit (http://http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/mar/16/military-school-seeks-gag-order-abuse-lawsuit/)" (by Roxana Hegeman; March 16, 2012; Associated Press/Lawrence Journal World).
Comments (http://http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/mar/16/military-school-seeks-gag-order-abuse-lawsuit/) left for this latter publication:
Ragingbear (anonymous) says... March 16, 2012 at 10:33 a.m.
We messed up and abused people. Please don't allow them to tell the rest of the world please.
Made_in_China (Paul R. Getto) replies... March 16, 2012 at 3:26 p.m.
© Copyright 2012 The World Company.
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KAKE originally posted a story on the 14th (under the headline "Lawsuit Filed Against St. John's Military School (http://http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/Lawsuit_Filed_Against_St_Johns_Military_School_142707905.html) - A Kansas military school is being sued by parents of cadets who say their sons were regularly abused by older students with the blessing of school officials."), choosing to update it several times rather than publish additional articles.
The most recent update involves making use of the latest AP headline for the title (re. the gag order request), along with an abbreviated subset of said text. Scroll down for the earliest version:
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KAKE.com
Military School Seeks Gag Order In Abuse Lawsuit (http://http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/142646196.html)
The federal lawsuit was filed against St. John's Military School last week in Kansas City, Kan.
Reporter: Associated Press
UPDATE: Thursday, March 15, 2012
A Kansas military school is asking a federal judge to bar the plaintiffs and lawyers in a lawsuit alleging abuse of former cadets from talking publicly about the case.
Attorneys for St. John's Military School, in Salina, filed a motion Thursday seeking a gag order in the lawsuit by parents claiming their sons were repeatedly beaten by higher-ranking students in charge of discipline.
U.S. District Judge John Lungstrum scheduled a Tuesday hearing on the motion.
St. John's contends public discussion would prejudice its ability to get a fair trial. The school issued a statement Wednesday saying it was studying the allegations but denying the existence of a "culture of abuse."
St. John's has settled nine other lawsuits filed since 2006 alleging abuse.
UPDATE: Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Parents of four former cadets at a Kansas military school have filed a lawsuit claiming their sons were repeatedly beaten by older students who were in charge of handing out discipline to younger boys.
The federal lawsuit was filed last week in Kansas City, Kan., against St. John's Military School in Salina and the Episcopal Church. It seeks more than $75,000, plus costs and punitive damages.
The suit accuses the school and church of shirking their duties to make sure students were safe at the residential boarding school, which serves boys in sixth through 12th grades.
The plaintiffs claim the school allowed experienced students, called "Disciplinarians," to abuse students, including in the presence of faculty members.
"The school allows and encourages older students to abuse young students — physically, mentally, emotionally and sexually," the lawsuit alleges. "Although St. John's requests that students inform school personnel if beatings occur, it subsequently tells the Disciplinarians which individuals reported the beatings. It is commonly known throughout the school that if a student reports any beatings, he will suffer significant retribution."
The suit does not claim any of the four plaintiffs was sexually abused, but alleges one of the students did witness an attempted rape.
In a statement Wednesday, St. John's denied "there was culture of abuse, lack of institutional control, failure to supervise or any kind of cover-up." The school said it was investigating the allegations with its legal counsel and would file a response in court in the next several days.
Two of the plaintiffs are from Colorado, and one each is from Texas and Illinois. All are under 18 years old. Attorney Daniel Zmijewski said more students could be added later.
The Episcopal Church of the United States and the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas are named as defendants because St. John's is affiliated with the Episcopal Church.
Wednesday afternoon, the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas released a statement saying its listing as a plaintiff in the lawsuit is inaccurate.
"The inclusion of the Diocese of Kansas is a mistake, since the school is not connected to this diocese but is instead associated with the Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas. The two dioceses are separate and distinct jurisdictions, with different bishops and different governing bodies. Our attorney has contacted the plaintiffs' attorney to inform him of this mistake and has asked him to correct the filing to remove the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas from the action."
The lawsuit claims that if students or their parents reported abuse to school officials, the information was passed to the Disciplinarians and more beatings followed.
One plaintiff who attended the school in the spring of 2011 claims he was bound, gagged and beaten by several students, and photos of the abuse were posted to Facebook. He also claimed he was forced to roll in mud, then several students urinated on him in the shower.
Another plaintiff claims he tried to leave the school and hitch-hike home, but was tracked down by several students and a ranking faculty member on a highway. He claims he was beaten, hooded and beaten again in the presence of the faculty member while being driven back to the school.
A third plaintiff said he was sent to a hospital with a broken eye socket after being kneed in the face by a ranking student.
The lawsuit claims parents whose sons claimed they were abused were told by the school that the children were exaggerating or making up stories because they wanted to go home.
Zmijewski said St. John's has settled nine such cases since 2006.
"This case is similar, the same kind of allegations," Zmijewski said. "I don't think the school is going to be shocked by this."
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
A Kansas military school is being sued by parents of cadets who say their sons were regularly abused by older students with the blessing of school officials.
The federal lawsuit was filed against St. John's Military School last week in Kansas City, Kan. It claims the school allows older students, called "Disciplinarians," to discipline younger students who step out of line.
The parents of four boys claim their sons suffered severe beatings by the Disciplinarians, and when the boys reported the abuse to school officials, the beatings got worse.
School President Andy England says he was meeting with legal counsel and the school was doing "due diligence" before responding to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit claims the school has settled nine similar abuse cases since 2006.
Gray Television, Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2012
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Comments (http://http://www.kake.com/news/headlines/142646196.html?storySection=comments) left for the above article, "Military School Seeks Gag Order In Abuse Lawsuit (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=39191&p=415190#p415189)" (March 14/15, 2012; Associated Press/KAKE.com):
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by Anonymous on Mar 14, 2012 at 12:18 PM
Minus the beating, this is Military School. Mental and Physical toughing is, but the beatings are wrong. Beatings are not a part of a Military School. They should be sued and there needs to be arrests made.
by Zack Location: Wichita on Mar 14, 2012 at 01:20 PM
It's a military school for crying out loud. I went in right after nam & remnants of the old "brown boot" army were still in the ranks. They turned boys into men back then & yea you got your feelings hurt & sometimes an ars whoopen as needed. By God the military did not get to the point (greatest fighting force on earth) we were at years ago by wussifing the troops. You want coddling? send em to the girl scouts!
by Anonymous on Mar 14, 2012 at 01:26 PM
So are the parents who sent the kid to MILITARY SCHOOL expecting them to be rocked to sleep and hugged when they do wrong. Military school is hardcore, and SHOULD be. Maybe it's the parents that need the beatings, not the kids....
by Anonymous on Mar 14, 2012 at 02:35 PM in reply to
You are expressing the sadistic and brutal mind set and actions those boys experienced from their tormentors. I have no respect for you or those bullies.
by anon on Mar 14, 2012 at 04:10 PM in reply to
My nephew was one of the boys represented in the earlier claims that were settled. He was BEATEN by bullies. I'm glad the academy is getting exposed again. It should never have happened in the first place.
[/list]
by john Location: kansas on Mar 14, 2012 at 01:54 PM
i spent four years at st. johns 1958 - 1961. at that time it was new boys and old boys. the cadet court handled any wrong doing made by the cadets. i know what i see at the school now is nothing like it was when i graduated. the uniforms are way out of style and the ribbons are way to many. it sounds like the disipline group is getting way out of hand. the school and the cadets need to return to the way it was back in the 50's and 60's.
by Anonymous on Mar 14, 2012 at 02:29 PM
why are most the kids there now. Its because the parents failed them by not believing in discipline. Had they disciplined the kids they wouldnt be there in the first place
by jeff Location: wichita on Mar 14, 2012 at 02:59 PM
even in the army, navy, and other branches of military you don't go around hitting other cadets. let the commandent of the cadets , and the cadet court handle the disciplin, not the cadets. if nthe teachers and other adults at the school are not handling the hitting of a lower cadet, then they must be removed.but i believe thqat mild form of hazing should be allowed.
by S on Mar 14, 2012 at 03:04 PM
Discipline should never be given out by another student. This gives too much power to a small group that are neither experienced enough or mature enough to handle this type of power. Should there be discipline in a militar school...yes...but "beatings" are not discipline, and a school is NOT the military. These schools should be the BEST examples of how schools should be run, they should instill a sense of pride and loyalty in both school and country...do you think that is what happenened in this situation? Of course the school should be demanding...but would YOU respond to beatings? Is this what you are recommending for these students so when they leave when they haven't learned to self discipline but only respond to abuse.
by john Location: kansas on Mar 14, 2012 at 03:37 PM
reply to anonymous @2.29pm. very few of the cadets are there because of being in trouble with the law or parents not believeing in discipline. i went because of the education. no more than 10 cadets in a class room, most of the teachers were military officers that lived there on the campus. also for one hour every night omitting wed and sat you had to be inyour room studing. this belief that you have is very wrong. one thing you are taught, before you can give a order, you had to learn to take a order.
by Anonymous on Mar 14, 2012 at 05:27 PM in reply to john
I bet the ones involved in the suit was sent there because there parents couldnt hadle them
[/list]
by Anonymous on Mar 14, 2012 at 08:33 PM
MAYBE THE PARENTS SHOULD HAVE HAD THEIR KIDS UNDER CONTROL AND THEN THEY WOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO SEND THEM TO SJMS... ITS NOT A CAKEWALK...
by Anonymous on Mar 14, 2012 at 10:41 PM
This is a shame if it is true. I have a family member who went into St. John's in the early 90's. I know he was never beaten or abused there, and I just asked him (a grown man now) again tonight after reading this. When he was there, he wanted to stay longer than the original time he was given to be there. On "going home day", he told all of us several times that he wished he could stay. He enjoyed the camaraderie, the discipline (because it was done right), and the well balanced structure. It truly made him a much more responsible man than he would have been had he stayed home, and his parents dealt with him on their own. He knows that, I know that, and I hope the school rectifies this problem, and takes it back to the status it was in when he was there. I saw many bright young men, who were on a bad path going in, and they were on the right path when they went home.
by Me Location: Me on Mar 15, 2012 at 12:00 AM
by john Location: kansas on Mar 15, 2012 at 07:56 AM
reply to anonymous mar 14 10.41 pm. very well said. that is how i felt when i went there. it's a home away from home. most of the cadets went there to get a education, but got alot more, new friends for a life time. that the way it was when i graduated in 61.
by icymoon Location: the boonies on Mar 15, 2012 at 08:33 AM
Finally someone saying something friend went there n 80s always babblin to watch his back he was beaten bad he finally left go walk around campus lots of faces of abused children especially rally the lil ones
Makes me sick
by me Location: wichita on Mar 15, 2012 at 11:31 AM
It is common knowledge what goes on at St John's. There are many victims and many abusers who belong to this organization and other similar organizations in Salina and elsewhere in Kansas. the school should be closed and those responsible need to be prosecuted. The school serves no legitimate purpose.
by jeff Location: wichita on Mar 15, 2012 at 04:52 PM
reply to me. i don't know where you got your information. i don't believe that you went to sjms or you know any one that did. but youre facts are completely wrong. ask any former cadet that went there. the education side is one of the best in the state. go up to salina and take a tour of the campus.
Gray Television, Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2012
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Here's a small collection of Salina Journal articles, starting off with a particularly excellent one by Mike Strand that I neglected to include earlier:
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Salina Journal
Ex-St. John's cadets claim they were beaten (http://http://www.saljournal.com/news/story/st-johns-lawsuit-for-Wednesday--March-13--2012)
3/14/2012
By MICHAEL STRAND
(http://http://assets.mediaspanonline.com/prod/7800118/3593356_Image.jpg)
Derek Wolfe a St. John's Military School cadet from Evergreen, Colo. runs toward his company's formation after his name was called Tuesday afternoon during the forming of the corps ceremony at the school. The ceremony marks the beginning of each school year at St. John's Military School. (photo by Jeff Cooper, Salina Journal)
A lawsuit filed last week in federal court in Kansas City describes St. John's Military School as a place where experienced students -- called "Disciplinarians" -- regularly abuse new students and administrators "conspire with certain students" to beat students who complain.
School President Andy England said he didn't have any immediate comment and was meeting with legal counsel to decide what the school's response would be.
The suit names as plaintiffs four former students at St. John's.
Two of the former students are from Colorado, and one each is from Texas and Illinois, though attorney Daniel Zmijewski said additional students could be added later. All of the cadets are listed only as being under the age of 18.
Defendants include St. John's, as well as the Episcopal Church of the United States, and the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, because the school is affiliated with the Episcopal Church.
The lawsuit seeks a judgment in excess of $75,000, plus court costs and punitive damages, on each of several counts.
The minimum amount required for a claim to be filed in federal court is $75,000.
"These are only allegations at this point," Zmijewski said. "This is the pattern I've seen in the past, and what I've heard from these kids this time. I need to do a lot more discovery to confirm it."
Abuse was encouraged
"The school allows and encourages older students to abuse young students -- physically, mentally, emotionally and sexually," the lawsuit alleges. The suit does not claim any of the four defendants was sexually abused but that one of the students did witness an attempted rape.
"Although St. John's requests that students inform school personnel if beatings occur, it subsequently tells the Disciplinarians which individuals reported the beatings," the suit states. "It is commonly known throughout the school that if a student reports any beatings, he will suffer significant retribution."
The lawsuit also claims that if parents contact the school about abuse, that information is passed on to the Disciplinarians, "which results in additional abuse."
Gagged and beaten
One plaintiff, who attended St. John's in the spring of 2011, claims in the lawsuit that he was bound, gagged and beaten by several students, with photos posted to Facebook, forced to roll in mud, and then urinated on in the shower by several students.
Another plaintiff claims he attempted to leave the school and hitch-hike home and was apprehended by several students and a ranking faculty member on a highway. While being driven back to the school, he alleges that he was beaten, hooded and beaten again in the presence of the faculty member.
Another claims he was sent to the hospital with a broken eye socket after being kneed in the face by a ranking cadet.
Making up stories
In every case, the lawsuit claims, parents were told the cadets were exaggerating or making up stories because they wanted to go home.
Zmijewski said he filed a lawsuit against St. John's several years ago over similar allegations made by two cadets who are brothers; that case was settled.
"This case is similar, the same kind of allegations," Zmijewski said. "I don't think the school is going to be shocked by this."
In all, he said, St. John's has settled nine such cases since 2006.
Not the first suits
In 2004, two cadets claimed in lawsuits that they were beaten by fellow cadets.
In one case, a 14-year-old cadet claimed that he had his hands and feet bound with tape and was beaten with broomsticks and coat hangers, allegedly for breaking his marching rifle.
In a separate suit, a 15-year-old cadet claimed that he was choked unconscious and had his jaw fractured and teeth knocked out due to beating from a group of fellow cadets.
That boy received substantial medical reconstructive treatment, plastic surgery and dental implants due to the trauma he suffered, according a previous Journal story.
The Journal reported in 2004 that the suit alleged that cadets were forced to take part in beating other boys in order to avoid being beaten themselves.
-- Reporter Mike Strand can be reached at 822-1418 or by email at [email protected].
Copyright © 2012 Salina Journal and MediaSpan
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A fraternity of SJMS apologists tries to defend the good name of their alma mater by attacking the alleged victims. Good one.
Might they have learned at least some of this honorable behavior ... while ensconced in the hallowed halls of St. John's?
:dose:
Comments (http://http://www.saljournal.com/news/story/st-johns-lawsuit-for-Wednesday--March-13--2012) left for the above article, "Ex-St. John's cadets claim they were beaten (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=39191&p=415203#p415199)" (by Michael Strand, 3/14/2012, Salina Journal), #s 1-20:
Michael Lynn Carroll · Wednesday at 7:07am
NO WAY....St. John's Military School. They are such RICH outstanding young men.
Kimberly Rodriguez Trigg · Kansas State University · Wednesday at 1:27pm
Really? Really? It's sad really sad that these kids had to go through this type of abuse, these kids that took part in the beatings are being shown that this behavior is ok.
Reddit TroubledTeens · Wednesday at 2:59pm
It sounds like the abuse at St. John's Military School is systematic and has been going on for decades. In 2004 it came out that the abuse had been happening for 10 years, there were 28 cases of abuse reported, and now this is the tenth lawsuit against St. John's! More info & links to articles here:
viewtopic.php?f=49&t=39191&p=415084#p415084 (http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=39191&p=415084#p415084).[/list]
Reddit TroubledTeens · Wednesday at 8:58pm
Rex Scates Whups, yes, the link I gave you would've required you to scroll up for more info, sorry I meant to give the main link--but this one will require you to scroll down:
viewtopic.php?f=49&t=39191&start=0 (http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=39191&start=0)
Within that thread, it says:
Source KWCH-TV (Wichita, KS)
State KS
Year 2004
"This KWCH investigation revealed a 10-year pattern of abuse at a Kansas military school. A tip from a former employee of the school prompted the TV station to FOIA police records, which noted 28 cases of abuse including boys being beaten with broomsticks, burned with lighters and kicked repeatedly."
source: http://www.ire.org/resource-center/stories/21860 (http://www.ire.org/resource-center/stories/21860)
The article above says "St. John's has settled nine such cases since 2006."
Thanks for asking for more info. Yes, I would think the authorities would be all over this place, it's unfathomable that KS lets St. John's stay open this long.[/list]
Patrick Harden · Oklahoma State University · Wednesday at 10:20pm
Reddit TroubledTeens SJMS is a great institution. Yeah, it sucked, but we all had to deal with it. It was very common for cadets to create fanatical stories in order to leave the school, I did it myself too during my first year. Some cadets will just go to extraordinary lengths to leave, and this article is a representation of it.
Reddit TroubledTeens · Thursday at 7:42am
Patrick Harden Thanks for sharing your experience. I've been studying places like St. John's for about a year now and ten lawsuits against a single facility is a lot. Does St. John's require cadets who have been there longer to supervise newer cadets? Why do kids want to leave so badly they are willing to say or do anything?
Rex Scates · Top Commenter · Owner-Operator at BC Marketplace and Almost Forever Jewelry · Thursday at 8:22am
Reddit TroubledTeens look up JROTC its part of the program that occurs at JROTC programs they are required to supervisor lower 'ranked" kids. yes in many public highschools across the USA in JROTC supervise lower ranked kids. Yes they are not boarding schools but the idea is still the same. If you want to be a leader (higher ranked" you are required to "supervise" lower ranked kids. FYI this supervising is overseen by adults who are around all the time. supervise is in " ". Now ROTC in college they are all adults so no adult supervision except by real military people who train those ROTC leaders in college. But the idea is the same
Heath Holmes · Manager at Maverick Enrgy LLC · Thursday at 5:05pm
I was there for two years and I am one of these disaplanaries I supervised about 30 kids of lower rank. The worst punishment a kid was ever given on my watch was push UPS and marching circles on their Saturdays. And yes I was around all the time cause I lived ate and slept in the same place as some of these kids. Hell you wanna know why kids want out and will do anything to get out? Cause its not like home were you do what you want and get away with murder. I caught a kid shoving a lightbulb up his ass and stopped him while reporting it to adults his reason was he was going to tell his parents he was raped so he could leave cause that's the only equipment he could go home. I've toured the new dorms and the is no plqce in there that is not under video watch and adult supervision. These allegations agaisnt sjms are 110% false qnd I have 1000 other cadets who will agree
[/list]
Reddit TroubledTeens · Wednesday at 3:15pm
People should know that abuse like this is happening in teen modification centers all over the country. There are 10,000-100,000 kids being held in facilities designed to 'break' them. It's a billion-dollar industry with big politicians profiting (Romney, Santorum). More info here:
http://www.reddit.com/r/troubledteens/c ... _like_most (http://www.reddit.com/r/troubledteens/comments/l7r94/welcome_rfirstworldproblems_if_you_are_like_most).[/list]
Allen Von · St. Johns · Wednesday at 5:34pm
Edward Durney · Marcus High School · Wednesday at 5:48pm
yeah of course cadets at st john's piss on other cadets i mean that's the only logical explanation!
Jonah Comeaux · SJMS · Wednesday at 8:10pm
Its amazing what the outside world thinks about St. Johns, kids are just exxagerating this crap and its funny how the outside world beleives it.
[/list]
Connor Dempsey · Wednesday at 5:54pm
Kids will say anything to leave... And what the hell is a disciplinarain??
John Panda RB Sun · Wednesday at 6:01pm
Merrick Tgod Best · Houston, Texas · Wednesday at 6:03pm
Allen Von · St. Johns · Wednesday at 6:28pm
The reporter's formal way of calling cadet staffs
Connor Dempsey · Wednesday at 9:50pm
that reporter is dumb... Kids will b kids, but tgeres dedenately more violence at any other public school.
[/list]
Dean Perez · Wednesday at 8:05pm
haha too funnny I fucked so many kids up there lol.
Dillon Ash · Wednesday at 8:08pm
rofl!!!! xD theyre talking about you shean
[/list]
Dylan Yohe · Fist Pumper at Club Karma · Wednesday at 8:59pm
Lmfao what they're sueing over happened like everyday :p
Copyright © 2012 Salina Journal and MediaSpan
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Comments (http://http://www.saljournal.com/news/story/st-johns-lawsuit-for-Wednesday--March-13--2012) left for the above article, "Ex-St. John's cadets claim they were beaten (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=39191&p=415203#p415199)" (by Michael Strand, 3/14/2012, Salina Journal), #s 21-40:
Ashton McKinney · Works at Truluck's · Wednesday at 9:01pm
William Heath · Heath Motorsports and Automotive at Self · 8 hours ago
none of this is funny! in 1988 a kid wanted out so he grabbed a suger shaker and broke it on
my head, after i kicked his ass i went to the infurmery where i got sowed up by the time i got back that cadet was on the first plane home! three years later i was a senior cadet and we did not issue beatings,but we were allowed to give the troubled cadets motivational seminars which included running,push ups.tourz outside commandants office and house and extra duty. We didnt have all this bs these kidz were saying and u can ask all cadets then we had tough leadership. now they have cameras everywhere and cadets cannot discipline other cadets,all power has besn taken away and as such is a glorified prep school with rotc compared to my day!
William Heath · Heath Motorsports and Automotive at Self · 8 hours ago
I know how new cadets r the push the rules and act like babies when they get caught! there has been hazing in every military academy in the us,the difference is in college its just part of it,but these kids in hi school well all im gonna say is do your duty,your school work,and keep ur room up and your good to go. screw up and your unit or squad pays the price just like the military.hello people its military school,this school is last stop for some,and in my case sjms looked great on my resume when i served with the special forces,so say what you will i feal sjms needs more discipline and its time for us old boys to straiten out sjms to bring it back to glory! get rid of profiles,implement push ups and sit ups and give the cadets power to run their corp! i love sjms/forever bleed oranve and black!
[/list]
Nick Z-Dro Zucker · Works at Being Poetic · Wednesday at 9:11pm
the kid who ran on the highway was picked up by the commandant and he was never touched whatsoevver hes just another lieing little pussy tryying to get back at st johns cuz in reality he was a piece of shit.
Josh Harris · 12 hours ago
what i dont get is how do all of you talk about how you hate sjms and one day you'lll shut it down then someone tries and you sit there and guard the school like it's your home? and how do you know he wasn't touched? that was before you were on a.m.s....
[/list]
Nick Payan · Wednesday at 9:42pm
No comment ^ but I was the best SDI ever! Just saying
Kaleeb Steele · Wednesday at 11:31pm
These "allegations" are by far the stupidest things I've heard!!... hope these people lose their lawsuit!!
Jonathon Daniel Frank · Forward Observer at United States Army · Thursday at 12:48am
When I was the BC, no such thing happened. Same when I was the CO of Bravo. These kids just want to leave. SJMS is hard to adjust to, and some people just can't take the pressure. I happily attended SJMS for 3 years, and will do whatever I can to defend such an excellent school against these allegations.
Collin Cooper · Sales Associate at GO Toyota Scion Arapahoe · Thursday at 7:24am
Some bullshit! If only I had another 5 years at St johns! That place was home to many of us. It was only so sad for the kids that didn't want to follow the rules. Can't believe this shit.
Kaleeb Steele · Thursday at 12:42pm
Agreed,! I had some hard times my first few weeks there, but i was NEVER to the extent of the B.S. I just read. Kinda pisses me off
[/list]
Jesse Chisholm · Denver, Colorado · Thursday at 12:58am
RAT 4 LIFE! kids need to man the f@## up!
Heath Holmes · Manager at Maverick Enrgy LLC · Thursday at 4:48am
The worst punishment I ever saw at sjms was pushups running and marching the grinder. These kids claims are completely bogus. It's not sjms fault that some kids can't deal with new places.
Heath Holmes · Manager at Maverick Enrgy LLC · Thursday at 4:55am
Not to mention it would be impossible for any such beatings to go on. There are cameras in every inch of the place and adults patrolling nonstop. The have bruise checks once a week. You could not get away with slaping a kid without being seen. Id go to court for sjms
Anthony Peoples · Bellevue West Senior High School · Thursday at 10:02am
Holmes you know very well what went on at that school. I know from first hand exp.
Heath Holmes · Manager at Maverick Enrgy LLC · Thursday at 10:59am
Get a clue ? I was there 2 years and I was one of these so called disaplanaries I was an Sdi the worst punishment I ever gave was pt
[/list]
Spencer Gunn · University of Colorado at Boulder · Thursday at 8:05am
I am willing to testify against such crap!
Francisco Puente · Mexico City, Mexico · Yesterday at 7:21am
Last August my son entered SJ for only one year. Immediately he openly hated the system, SJ conditions where by far tougher than he expected. Yesterday to our surprise, he told me he's considering the possibility to stay for another year! We could not believe it. It's obvious to me, once the kids adjust, SJ grows on them.
George Lang · Enrolled for phlabotamy and athletic training · 10 hours ago
I was a cadet at sjms in the 1980s and never had any thing like that happen. kids ill bet hese boys just didn't like the idea of being told what to do all the time and want to ggeyt back at the school.
George Lang · Enrolled for phlabotamy and athletic training · 10 hours ago
this old boy will gladly testifie on behalf of sjms.
Daniel Ditto · 9 hours ago
I went to sjms from 1987 to 1995 and nne of this ever happened and am still very much involved with sjms and I wil ltestify in court on sjms behalf.
Copyright © 2012 Salina Journal and MediaSpan
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From a statement issued by St. John's Military School:
"St. John's denies that there was a culture of abuse, lack of institutional control, failure to supervise or any kind of cover-up as alleged by the attorney for the parents who have sued"...[/list][/size]
When ya don't have anything more definitive or conclusive to say, just deny, deny, and deny some more...
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Salina Journal
St. John's says lawsuit claims are being investigated (http://http://www.salina.com/news/story/stjohns-3-14-12)
3/15/2012
By the Salina Journal
Allegations of abuse of students contained in a lawsuit filed last week in federal court in Kansas City are being investigated, and attorneys for St. John's Military School will file a formal response to each allegation within days, according to a statement issued Tuesday by the school.
"St. John's denies that there was a culture of abuse, lack of institutional control, failure to supervise or any kind of cover-up as alleged by the attorney for the parents who have sued," the statement, issued in an email, said.
The lawsuit, which describes St. John's Military School as a place where experienced students - called "Disciplinarians" -- regularly abuse new students, was filed on behalf of four former cadets at the military school, who were identified only by their initials and the names of their parents. Two of the former students are from Colorado, and one each is from Texas and Illinois.
The suit alleges that the Disciplinarians beat the younger students at the school and that school administrators "conspire with certain students" to beat students who complained.
"St. John's is determined to defend itself against the allegations contained in the lawsuit and is confident that this matter will be properly and justly resolved through the legal system," the statement said.
Defendants named in the suit include St. John's, the Episcopal Church of the United States and the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas, because of the school's church affiliation.
Wednesday afternoon the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas issued a statement saying its listing as a defendant in the lawsuit is inaccurate.
"The inclusion of the Diocese of Kansas is a mistake, since the school is not connected to this diocese but is instead associated with the Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas," the diocese's statement said.
An attorney representing the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas has contacted the plaintiffs' attorney to ask that the filing be corrected, the statement said.
The lawsuit seeks a judgment in excess of $75,000, plus court costs and punitive damages, on each of several counts. The minimum amount required for a claim to be filed in federal court is $75,000.
St. John's, which was founded in 1887, has been "dedicated to the development of young men" for more than 120 years, according to the school's statement.
The school's "objective is to provide a rigorous academic environment, opportunity for religious introspection and structured campus life to help develop young men with the highest degree of self-discipline and self-confidence," the statement said.
Recently, the 123rd Corps of Cadets earned the highest Annual Formal Inspection score of any military school in the country from the U.S. Army Cadet Command, the statement said. The school is accredited by both the Kansas Department of Education and AdvancED.
Copyright © 2012 Salina Journal and MediaSpan
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Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
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Here's the short AP teaser, prior to publication of a longer article by Mike Strand the following day:
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Salina Journal
Military school seeks gag order in abuse lawsuit (http://http://www.salina.com/news/story/St--John-s-3-15-12)
3/15/2012
By the Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — St. John's Military school in Salina is asking a federal judge to bar the plaintiffs and lawyers in a lawsuit alleging abuse of former cadets from talking publicly about the case.
Attorneys for St. John's filed a motion Thursday in federal court in Kansas City seeking a gag order in the lawsuit by parents claiming their sons were repeatedly beaten by higher-ranking students in charge of discipline.
U.S. District Judge John Lungstrum scheduled a Tuesday hearing on the motion.
St. John's contends public discussion would prejudice its ability to get a fair trial. The school issued a statement Wednesday saying it was studying the allegations but denying the existence of a "culture of abuse."
St. John's has settled nine other lawsuits filed since 2006 alleging abuse.
Read more about the lawsuit in Friday's Journal.
Copyright © 2012 Salina Journal and MediaSpan
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...And here's that longer article:
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Salina Journal
St. John's seeks gag order in lawsuit (http://http://www.salina.com/news/story/gag-order)
3/16/2012
By MICHAEL STRAND
Attorneys for St. John's Military School are seeking a gag order in a lawsuit filed against the school last week, saying pretrial publicity could make it difficult for the school to receive a fair trial.
The motion for the gag order was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Kansas City.
Last week, families of four former students filed a lawsuit against the Salina military school, alleging a "culture of abuse," and that high-ranking cadets meted out beatings to maintain discipline.
The lawsuit received wide publicity in the Kansas news media starting with a story in the Salina Journal on Wednesday, though it was reported on earlier by at least two niche websites, Courthouse News Service and Conservative Babylon.
That publicity, along with various media interviews given by attorney for the four families, Daniel Zmijewski, will make it harder for the case to get a fair trial, St. John's argues.
"...not only is plaintiffs' counsel brazenly talking about the suit in public, but he is doing it in a forum where witnesses and/or potential jurors reside," the motion states. "Plaintiffs' counsel has taken his argument public, in a forum where defendants have no recourse or means in which to defend themselves, in a clear effort to tamper with the jury pool and/or win favor in the public domain."
U.S. District Judge John Lungstrum set a hearing on the motion for Tuesday.
St. John's issued a statement Wednesday saying it was studying the allegations and denying the existence of a "culture of abuse" at the military school.
-- Reporter Mike Strand can be reached at 822-1418 or by email at [email protected].
Copyright © 2012 Salina Journal and MediaSpan
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http://www.necn.com/03/20/12/Judge-deni ... fdc291f57d (http://www.necn.com/03/20/12/Judge-denies-gag-order-in-military-schoo/landing_politics.html?&apID=782673bc45e9425fb89dd1fdc291f57d)
Judge denies gag order in military school lawsuit
Mar 20, 2012 7:13pm
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge declined Tuesday to impose a gag order in a lawsuit accusing a Kansas military school of allowing older students to discipline younger ones and fostering a culture of abuse.
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Lawyers for St. John's Military School had sought to bar parties involved in the case from talking publicly after an attorney for the plaintiffs granted media interviews soon after filing the lawsuit this month. The plaintiffs, the parents of four former cadets, had called the request an attempt by the school to violate their free-speech rights.
St. John's attorney Derek Johannsen told U.S. District Judge John Lungstrum the motion was intended to keep the lawsuit from being tried in "a public forum."
"This case has drawn a significant amount of media attention already," Johannsen said.
But Lungstrum denied the motion.
Plaintiffs' attorney Dan Zmijewski, meanwhile, said he planned to file a motion to prevent St. John's students from purging their Facebook pages of anything that might be related to the plaintiffs' claims.
Court records show that since 2006, the military-style boarding school in Salina has settled nine lawsuits filed by parents, including one last year in which a federal judge found the school knew about the potential for hazing yet allowed higher-ranking cadets to discipline students.
The school has denied the claims.
"St. John's denies that there was a culture of abuse, lack of institutional control, failure to supervise or any kind of cover-up as alleged by the attorney for the parents who have sued," school officials said in a statement released last week.
A lawsuit settled last year included photos of a cadet's arm that had been branded with a hot, star-shaped medal as part of his initiation into "headquarters company" at the school. A school official acknowledged in a deposition that at least 10 other students were similarly branded but the school did not investigate them.
The cadet testified during a deposition that a couple of days before he was branded, he was subjected to "saber swats" on his bare skin by a captain for joining the new company. The sabers are part of the parade uniform of ranking cadets. The boy testified that the swats hurt "really bad."
The school sought to have the last abuse case thrown out, arguing there was no evidence of bad faith by the school and that the school made reasonable efforts to stop hazing. U.S. District Judge Carlos Murguia rejected the school's request in 2009, noting court records suggest that despite knowing the students were using sabers to swat other students, St. John's staff allowed certain students to wear them.
The judge also said there was evidence that St. John's did not investigate certain instances of branding. The school subsequently settled that lawsuit and the case never went to trial.
The current lawsuit contains similar allegations of "saber swatting" and other beatings, but makes no claim that brandings still go on at the school.
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Associated Press writer Roxana Hegeman in Wichita contributed to this report.
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Great news, I did not expect that. I guess it is becoming obvious to the judge what is going on.
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http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/24/35 ... buses.html (http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/24/3510861/amended-suit-alleges-new-abuses.html)
Amended suit alleges new abuses at Kansas school
BY ROXANA HEGEMAN
Associated Press[/b]
WICHITA, KAN. -- A California boy attends only four days at a Kansas military boarding school where he is tormented by staff and students after breaking both his legs in separate incidents. A Tennessee student's stomach is forcibly branded as a rite of initiation. A Florida cadet breaks his hand fending off a student with a history of sexual abuse who tries to grope him, and school officials refuse to investigate or inform his parents of the attack.
These claims are the latest additions to a growing list of former cadets who allege in a federal lawsuit they were abused at St. John's Military School in Salina, Kan. An amended complaint filed Friday in federal court in Kansas City, Kan., now includes six sets of named parents who have filed on behalf of cadets, plus one ex-cadet who is now an adult. The plaintiffs come from California, Florida, Tennessee, Colorado, Texas and Illinois.
The Episcopal boarding school, which charges families nearly $30,000 per year for students enrolled in grades 6-12, draws students from across the nation.
Two new defendants are named in the revised lawsuit: The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America and the Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas, entities which the suit says created the school.
"The parents of these kids don't want any other kids to suffer the way their kids did," said Dan Zmijewski, one of the plaintiffs' attorneys.
Their lawsuit, which was initially filed March 5, contends that the school allows and encourages older students to physically, mentally, emotionally and sexually abuse young students. According to court filings, the legal action purports to chronicle a "dangerous and disturbing culture at a boy's military school which must end."
St. John's has settled nine previous abuse-related lawsuits filed since 2006, court records show.
Amid widening media coverage of the latest lawsuit, more parents and cadets are coming forward with stories of abuse, Zmijewski said.
"It is just more kids who suffered extreme abuse at the hands of students while staff is watching - and is more indicative of what is going on there," he said.
Derek Johannsen, an attorney for St. John's, sent an email statement Saturday on the school's behalf. In it, he said the school denies the existence of a culture of abuse, and pointed out that St. John's has a 120-year history of helping young men develop skills in a safe environment.
"(The school's) objective is to provide a rigorous academic environment, opportunity for religious introspection and a structured campus life to help develop young men with the highest degree of self-discipline and self-confidence," the statement read.
Johannsen also wrote that some of the allegations in the lawsuit were investigated by law enforcement and no charges were filed. He said a formal response to the amended complaint will be filed soon.
In a separate settlement last year, the school argued it had made reasonable efforts to curb abuses, noting military schools nationwide have a problem with hazing. St. John's installed surveillance cameras in the hallways and instituted weekly bruise checks.
The new filing includes as an exhibit the California boy's X-ray, showing abuse so severe that the right femur bone was displaced several inches above the knee. Also included in the court filing is a photograph that had been posted on Facebook depicting a uniformed cadet from Texas gagged, blindfolded and bound with black duct tape.
Other allegations come from a Texas boy who was urinated on by other students in the shower, a Colorado student who was beaten in a van in front of a faculty member after trying to hitchhike home to escape earlier abuse and an Illinois cadet who suffered a fractured eye socket after being kneed in the head.
Posted on Sat, Mar. 24, 2012 03:06 PM
Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/24/35 ... rylink=cpy (http://www.kansascity.com/2012/03/24/3510861/amended-suit-alleges-new-abuses.html#storylink=cpy)
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http://articles.kwch.com/2012-03-28/mic ... y_31252159 (http://articles.kwch.com/2012-03-28/michael-kelly_31252159)
More Former Students Alleged Abuse at St. John's
March 28, 2012|By Melissa Scheffler | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News
(SALINA, Kan.) — Michael Kelly says he went to St. John's Military School to build a better future for himself. But Kelly says he couldn't move beyond the "culture of abuse" at the school. A picture that Kelly says shows him bound and blindfolded is now part of the latest allegations against the school.
"They sent it to my mother's phone. I think they took my cell phone and most likely got her number out of there. And then sent it to her,” Kelly said.
Kelly talked to FactFinder 12 via the internet from Tennessee. He's one of the three most recent former students to join a federal lawsuit against the school. Kelly says the picture doesn't show the worst of it.
"I have a brand on my stomach, numerous cigarette burns, and about 30 scars on my right arm,” Kelly said.
Another new plaintiff says both of his legs were broken. The complaint says staff and students "dragged him by his ankles, shaking them wildly, kicked him in the knees, demanded he stand up on his broken legs." The complaint alleges an X-ray shows the student was abused so badly, "that the bone was displaced several inches below his knee."
St. John's Military School issued a new statement following these latest allegations. It says, it denies the existence of a culture of abuse. It also says some of the allegations in the lawsuit were investigated by law enforcement. And, no charges were filed.
"I want to get it out there that this is real. This is happening. And, I don't want other kids to suffer like I did,” Kelly said.
Kelly says he tried to kill himself by over-dosing on prescription medication.
"I didn't really want to be there after seeing everything that was happening,” Kelly said.
The picture is now part of the lawsuit. St. John's says it will respond to each allegation in the upcoming days.
St. John's Military School issued a statement in regards to the picture allegedly showing Michael Kelly. It says, in part... "St. John's cannot confirm or deny the validity or authenticity of the photograph as no discovery has been conducted in the case. Plaintiffs' counsel continues to insist on trying this matter in the media where the rules of evidence do not apply."
Statement from Current St. John’s Parent
Our family has nothing but good things to say about our son’s education and safety at St. John’s Military School. He has been enrolled there for two and a half years and throughout that time has never experienced any mistreatment by the school, or fellow students.
We visit our son and the campus about every six weeks and are extremely impressed with the school and the education our son is receiving there.
Our greatest fear is that allegations raised in this lawsuit could alter the terrific program at St. John’s. We searched the country for a military school for our son before finding St. John’s, and we are so very pleased with our decision. They have outstanding staff and the students are very respectful. We fully support St. John’s and have the utmost confidence in our son’s attendance at the school.
Mark Johnson
Parent of St. John’s 6th Grader
Walnut Creek, California
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Another link to news video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5MCsvD4 ... e=youtu.be (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5MCsvD4Pag&feature=youtu.be)
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A current student of St. John's Military School came to reddit and answered questions about the program and his experience there: http://www.reddit.com/r/troubledteens/c ... l_the_one/ (http://www.reddit.com/r/troubledteens/comments/qyvmf/i_am_a_senior_at_st_johns_military_school_the_one/)
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http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-new ... sas-school (http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_20374469/agency-says-its-still-investigating-kansas-school)
Agency says it's still investigating Kansas school
By ROXANA HEGEMAN Associated Press
Posted: 04/11/2012 03:24:07 PM PDT
Updated: 04/11/2012 03:24:22 PM PDT
WICHITA, Kan.—The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services says it's still investigating abuse allegations made by a 14-year-old boy who attended a military boarding school, and the agency disputes the school's claims that a department investigation "found no validity" to the former cadet's accusations.
The boy suffered two broken legs during the four days in August that he attended St. John's Military School in Salina.
"The investigation is still in progress and SRS has reached no conclusion," spokeswoman Angela de Rocha told The Associated Press in a phone interview Tuesday.
Jesse Mactagone, of Auburn, Calif., is among seven students whose families sued St. John's Military School last month. They claim the school allowed and encouraged older students, called "Disciplinarians," to discipline younger ones by beating and otherwise abusing them, including in the presence of faculty members. The plaintiffs come from California, Florida, Tennessee, Colorado, Texas and Illinois.
St. John's has settled nine other abuse lawsuits since 2006.
The comment from SRS comes in the wake of a court filing last week in response to the lawsuit in which the school claimed that SRS and Salina Police Department "investigated and found no validity" to allegations that Jesse's injuries were the result of cadets beating and kicking him. The school told the court all investigations into the matter concluded the boy was not hurt by fellow cadets.
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Saline County Attorney Ellen Mitchell told AP that the Salina Police Department asked her office to review Jesse's alleged beatings for possible criminal prosecution. No arrests were made, and no charges filed.
"There was insufficient evidence to show that a crime was committed beyond a reasonable doubt," Mitchell said in a phone interview Wednesday.
Daniel Zmijewski, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said he had no knowledge of the SRS investigation. He wouldn't comment on de Rocha's statement about the probe.
The lawyer noted that the standard needed for criminal prosecutions is higher than that required for civil cases.
"St. John's stands behind its response as stated and will be making no additional comment beyond what is stated in the filing, at this time," the school's spokeswoman, Laurie Roberts, said in an email.
The Episcopal boarding school, which charges families nearly $30,000 per year for students enrolled in grades 6-12, draws students from across the nation.
The 14-year-old's injuries are among some of the most egregious alleged in the lawsuit. An X-ray of one of the boy's broken legs, included in the court filing, shows his right femur bone as being displaced several inches below the knee.
The boy alleges in the lawsuit that on his first day at the school, he was pushed from behind while running, which caused him to fall down several times and break his left leg. He went to the nurse's office multiple times about the pain, but the school demanded he continue participating in physical training, which included running on the broken leg, according to the suit.
By the third day, he was in so much pain he could hardly stand and was given crutches—only to have them taken away later in the day, the suit alleges. The boy later fell in the cafeteria, where the staff and students made him attempt to stand on what was now his broken right leg, according to the suit.
He then was carried outside and thrown on the ground, where staff and students decided to "play with" him, the suit claims.
"They dragged him by his ankles, shaking them wildly, kicked him in the knees, demanded he stand up on his broken legs and threatened to punch him in his mouth if he did not stop screaming," according to the complaint.
The staff and students then stuffed him into a shopping cart and returned him to his dorm room, where he was dumped on the floor. Different staff and students visited him there to tell him he was weak and others were tougher than him, the suit contends.
The next morning Jesse was found on his urine-covered floor. When he couldn't stand, he was then put in a chair and rolled to the nurse's office, where an ambulance was called, according to the claims. Hospital X-rays showed he had two broken legs. The boy underwent emergency surgery to repair his legs.
He spent a week in the Salina hospital before being flown by medical staff to California, where he spent two more days in a hospital.
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In contrast to 9 lawsuits since 2006 and the horrible abuse described above, which clearly shows a culture of abuse, St. John's is Awarded, Accredited and received the "highest honor with distinction" from the United States Army Cadet Command according to their website. I thought it important to point out how a program like this can APPEAR to be so amazingly wonderful to those visiting or seeing a partial view. At the same time, this program is torturing children and maintaining such a damaging environment.
Dual Accreditation
As a result of the review, St. John's has, once again, received the rating of "Accredited" from both the Kansas Department of Education AND AdvancED, giving the school dual accreditation!
Top Private School Award
GreatSchools.net awarded St. John's Military School the Parents' Choice Top Private School Award, as published in Business Week magazine. St. John's was the only military school in the country to receive this distinction.
"Honor Unit With Distinction"
AFI (Annual Formal Inspection) was held April 16th, 2012. This is an annual inspection given by the United States Army Cadet Command. A minimum score of 950 (out of 1,000 total points) is required to maintain the standard of "Honor Unit With Distinction".
The 124th Corps of Cadets earned the highest AFI score of all military schools in the country with a 999 and is, once again, honored to receive "Honor Unit With Distinction" classification!
This is the second straight year St. John's has held the highest score of all military schools in the country with a 999. The coveted "Honor Unit With Distinction" has been awarded to St. John's for over 20 consecutive years!
From their website: http://www.sjms.org/ (http://www.sjms.org/)
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http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501363_162- ... -of-abuse/ (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501363_162-57424725/kan-school-accused-of-deleting-images-of-abuse/)
Kan. school accused of deleting images of abuse
May 1, 2012 7:03 AM
WICHITA, Kan. — A Kansas military boarding school embroiled in a lawsuit alleging widespread abuse of cadets ordered its students last week to surrender their cellphones, and a staff member reviewed photos and videos stored on them and then deleted hundreds of images related to the school, according to a document filed Monday in federal court.
Lawyers for seven former cadets who sued St. John's Military School in Salina allege that one of the deleted videos showed a staff member abusing a student, while others showed abuse of former cadets who have filed suit.
The school, in an email statement to The Associated Press, denied the destruction of evidence related to the lawsuit. St. John's said it has a long-standing policy that prohibits students from taking pictures or recording videos with cellphones, a policy it contends is common for boarding and military schools throughout the nation.
"In the instance that took place recently on campus, a student's phone was confiscated and the video was erased in accordance with the cell phone policy," the school said. "This situation is in no way related to ongoing litigation and did not involve any of the plaintiffs."
Daniel Zmijewski, the plaintiff's attorney, filed the motion in U.S. District Court in Kansas and is seeking a court order to protect any remaining photos and videos or evidence in any electronic medium. He also asked the judge to appoint a computer forensics expert as a "special master" at the school's expense to collect any remaining data and attempt to recreate the deleted material.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kenneth Gale has scheduled a telephone conference Thursday with attorneys to discuss how to proceed with the request.
"St. John's continues to thumb its nose at this Court by ignoring its obligations and letting chaos reign at its school," Zmijewski wrote in the filing. "A month after this lawsuit was filed, another boy was branded at St. John's and boys continue to check into the hospital for various reasons."
The plaintiffs — who are from California, Florida, Tennessee, Colorado, Texas and Illinois — allege in a lawsuit filed in March that St. John's allowed higher ranking students, called "Disciplinarians," to abuse students, even in the presence of faculty members. The school has settled nine previous abuse lawsuits filed since 2006.
One plaintiff alleges that during the four days he attended the school, he suffered repeated abuse and broke both legs. Another says a ranking student kneed him in the face and broke his eye socket. And a third says he was bound, gagged and beaten by several students, and that photos of the abuse were posted on Facebook.
St. John's, which charges families nearly $30,000 per year for students in grades 6-12, has denied that a culture of abuse exists and notes that each student is required to sign an anti-hazing pledge.
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FInal investigation report out for at least one of the aqusations and its exact opostite of what the Lawyer the the mom said happened to the unfortunate kid that broke his legs.
SJMS has been confirmed yet again they did not cause the boys legs to be broken.
This SRS report says the school did not cause the boys broken legs as was claimed by Jennifer Mactagone for the past 3-4 months.
" but their investigation uncovered no proof that anyone there caused the injuries or denied the boy medical care."
Mactagone has for months accusing the school of causing her sons injuries and the final report says no they did not!
You will also see that now that SJMS has finally been notified that is
crossed the line of neglect for the 3 employees they will appeal the
report and if the appeal does not go through the employees are gone.
Which is the way it should be. Out in California at least you can not
fire a employee for "neglect" unless you are 100% sure it occurred. In
California those employees would sue your business and win as it would
be considered firing without cause.
"St. John's Military School said three independent investigations
reached the same conclusion that allegations of physical abuse and
medical neglect at St. Johns are untrue. Its own internal investigation
found no such evidence. The Salina Police Department investigated and no
criminal charges were filed. Now the SRS apparently reached the same
conclusion."
can 6 indepdent groups be wrong? hrmmm
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Please post links on this thread.