Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => News Items => Topic started by: wdtony on December 22, 2011, 05:42:15 PM
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http://www.fox19.com/story/16376836/tee ... r-fight-at (http://www.fox19.com/story/16376836/teen-on-life-support-after-fight-at)
Teen on life support after assault at children's home
Posted: Dec 22, 2011 8:53 AM EST
Updated: Dec 22, 2011 12:20 PM EST
FAIRFIELD, OH (FOX19) -
A teenager is on life support after an assault earlier this week at a Butler County children's home.
Chief Richard St. John with Fairfield Township Police says the assault occurred Monday night at One Way Farm on River Road.
According to the incident report, the 16-year-old victim suffered head injuries from a punch and being slammed to the ground by another juvenile at the facility. Witnesses say there was an argument over a flashlight that escalated to the assault.
The assault occurred between 7:30 and 8 p.m., but wasn't reported until employees were conducting bed checks at 11 p.m. and found the victim lying on the floor.
The victim was taken to Children's Hospital, where he has been placed on life support. The 17-year-old suspect is facing an aggravated assault charge and is being held at the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center.
St. John said reports that the teen had died are untrue.
According to its website, One Way Farm provides residential care 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, serving approximately 8,500 children since it opened in 1976. The agency provides an Animal Education Therapy Program, an Employment Training Program, Counseling Services and a Youth Program to further the healing of children.
One Way Farm's board president, Greg Elam, released the following statement:
"On Monday evening two of our children, ages 16 and 17, were involved in an altercation that resulted in the hospitalization of one of the children. As an organization that has been recognized as a leader in healing and helping children live a long and fruitful life, we are doing everything possible to understand and to cope with this unfortunate event that has affected these two children. The incident is currently under investigation by Fairfield Township Police and One Way Farm. While it is being investigated, the instigator of the fight was removed immediately from One Way Farm and placed in the Butler County Juvenile Detention. We continue to work in the best interests of the children in our care and will be providing counseling to protect the progress they have made and to continue to support their emotional healing.
"We are extremely heartbroken over this event. With more than 9,000 children coming through the One Way Farm, we have never experienced such loss."
Copyright 2011 FOX19. All Rights Reserved.
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Program Home page link:
http://www.onewayfarm.org/ (http://www.onewayfarm.org/)
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Program Home page link:
http://www.onewayfarm.org/ (http://www.onewayfarm.org/)
I saw this story earlier. Very sad. Thanks for providing a link to the program homepage.
This doesn't appear to be the typical kind of program discussed hear of fornits. I couldn't determine by reading their website the percentage of kids admitted by parents versus those committed by agencies or courts. However, it does seem that they accept and presumably mix abused and neglected children with those placed by the juvenile courts. On the surface this seems like a potentially dangerous practice which the above story seems to support.
http://www.onewayfarm.org/about.php (http://www.onewayfarm.org/about.php)
http://www.onewayfarm.org/programs.php?id=youth (http://www.onewayfarm.org/programs.php?id=youth)
The One Way Farm Children's Home is a non-profit organization located in Fairfield, Ohio, caring for the abused, abandoned, neglected, troubled youth, and children with disabilities and developmental disabilities in the State of Ohio without regard to race, color, sex, or national origin. The One Way Farm Children's Home is state-certified and provides the following services:
Temporary/emergency housing for abused, abandoned, neglected or troubled children, many in need of medication/pharmaceutical administration.
Meeting the needs of special education children.
Long-term independent housing.
Placement of children by the Juvenile Courts, Job and Family Services Department, and other placing agencies.
An alternative to institutionalization for mildly troubled children, developmentally disabled and the physically challenged.
Animal Education Therapy Program.
The children of One Way Farm Children's Home are abused, abandoned, neglected, or troubled and sometimes have other disabilities. One Way Farm Children's Home tries to reunite child and family whenever possible and coordinates family counseling if it is indicated. The One Way Farm Children's Home's primary objective is to break the present cycle of abuse or disruption and help every child to a normal and fruitful life.
We provide a warm and loving shelter for children who have been abused, abandoned, neglected, and troubled. One Way Farm Children's Home houses a maximum of 20 youth, providing both emergency and long-term housing for children in crisis. Our agency provides Animal Education Therapy to further the healing of our children, a very unique program. We have served thousands of children since our beginning over 32 years ago. We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation and are located in Butler County in southwestern Ohio. Our continuing goal is to provide for the best interest of the child.
http://www.onewayfarm.org/about.php?id=admissions (http://www.onewayfarm.org/about.php?id=admissions)
The residents of One Way Farm of Fairfield, Inc. have access to the following schools and educational programs:
Alternative School
Fairfield West Elementary School
Fairfield Middle School
Fairfield Freshman School
Fairfield High School
Butler Tech
Hope Academy
St. Aloysius
Fairfield Intermediate
Otherwise, it seems that kids here have better protected rights and more freedom than those placed in the kinds of programs usually discussed on fornits. Per their admission forms:
http://www.onewayfarm.org/about.php?id=admissions (http://www.onewayfarm.org/about.php?id=admissions)
ADMISSION INFORMATION (PAGE TWO)
Rule 5101:2-9-16
VISITATION:
Youth may have contact with the following:
Father____ Mother____ Sisters____ Brothers____
Grandparents____ Aunts/Uncles____ Prev. Foster Family____
Friends____ Other____
List Names:___________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
VISITS: on-grounds____ off-grounds____ Supervised____ Unsupervised____
Friday____ Saturday____ Sunday____ Overnight____ Day Only____
How Often?_____________________________________________________
List persons with whom youth is to have NO contact:
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Rule 5101:2-9-12
Youth can go on overnight with friends? Yes ? No ?
If on level 5, can go on unsupervised on-grounds: Yes ? No ?
Amount of time: 1 hour____ 2 hours____ 3 hours____
If on level 4 or 5, can have unsupervised activities OFF-GROUNDS: Yes ? No ?
Can walk out for: 1 hour____ 2 hours____
Can go to school functions (unsupervised by One Way Farm Staff): ball game____
School dances ____ sports____ shopping____
Religious preference: Catholic____ Protestant____ Jewish____ Other__________________
PLACEMENT AGREEMENT
NAME OF YOUTH:_________________________________PHONE;______________
LEGAL ADDRESS:__________________________________DATE:_______________
CLIENT CLAUSE: I understand the rules and regulations of the One Way Farm and I agree to follow them. I understand that I am able to go on home visits after I have been a resident of One Way Farm for at least two weeks and that visits may vary depending on situations in the home. I do understand that I may send as well as receive mail from family and friends and that I do have phone privileges as long as I don’t misuse the privilege. I will work on trusting the staff and other residents as much as possible and I will be honest about my feelings. With the help of the staff. I will realistically explore what alternatives I have and will make the most responsible decision regarding my future.
___________________________________
Client Signature
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I agree, mostly this does look like a decent place. There is a section on their website that states something about long term placement but it is very vague. I do not think this is a behavior modification program at this time. It is another news article about a child almost killed in a program and there was a 3 hour window after the assault that no staff checked on the victim.
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I agree, mostly this does look like a decent place. There is a section on their website that states something about long term placement but it is very vague. I do not think this is a behavior modification program at this time. It is another news article about a child almost killed in a program and there was a 3 hour window after the assault that no staff checked on the victim.
Yeah, It sounds like a closed head injury. He appeared fine just after the altercation, but a small bleed or swelling can be deadly. I'm not medically trained but even I know that you aren't suppose to let people with concussions go to sleep. At the very least he should have been checked on regularly. Maybe if they'd gotten him to a hospital sooner the doctors could have done something to relieve the pressure and save the young man.
It doesn't really matter what kind of policies are in place or how well intentioned the people are invariably the line staff who work directly with the kids are low-paid and ill-trained. This is just another reason I'm opposed to any kind of involuntary commitment of teens or adults. If that young man had gotten mugged or into an altercation on the streets and then not sought treatment the outcome would have been the same, but the responsibility would have been his for not seeking treatment. (Of course in this case the responsibility for the injury belongs to the 17 year old who attacked him over a flashlight.) But whoever placed the boy in this program stripped him of his decision making powers. The program assumed the awesome responsibility of making potentially life and death decisions for this young man and they failed. The boy couldn't have done any worse if left to his own devices and he probably wouldn't have gotten the injury to start with.
According to Dr Robert Epstein somewhere around 13 or 14 kids are capable of making just as good decisions as adults. It's time we as a society start recognizing teens as young adults deserving of basic human rights of self-determination and not just as big children who need to be protected from themselves. I firmly believe that most of the social pathologies we lament concerning teens is the direct result of the powerlessness they feel in society. In past generations teens were active, contributing members of society, working, getting married, and otherwise getting on with the business of life. Freedom is the answer, while paternalism and overprotectiveness is the problem.
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Yeah, I really agree with what you wrote. Accidents do happen but when I am caring for a child and he might get assaulted by another kid, I would be cautious and have him checked out at the ER. I have had closed brain injuries myself so I really freak out if a kid gets a knot on his head...I will usually be constantly checking vitals, pupil dilation etc. and I am not a program staff. Too often many programs place low priority on medical care.
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http://www.oxfordpress.com/news/crime/s ... 02838.html (http://www.oxfordpress.com/news/crime/severity-of-beating-prompts-removal-of-teens-from-group-home-1302838.html)
Severity of beating prompts removal of teens from group home
Police confirm Thursday he is still alive.
By Hannah Poturalski, Staff Writer Updated 7:57 PM Thursday, December 22, 2011
FAIRFIELD TWP. — The severity of an incident this week at a group home for wayward teens has prompted Butler County Children Services to remove some of its juveniles and place them in other care.
A 16-year-old male brutally assaulted between 7:30 and 8 p.m. Monday at One Way Farm on River Road remained on life support Thursday night at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, said Fairfield Twp. Police Chief Richard J. St. John. Medics were called to the home about three hours after the incident — around 11:30 p.m. — when the victim was found unresponsive, St. John said.
“It’s an important aspect that the victim stood up, was talking and walking around and didn’t seem to be injured,” St. John said.
A 17-year-old male is accused of punching the victim, throwing him to the ground - where he landed on his head - and laying on top of him before punching him repeatedly in the head.
The suspect, a ward of Warren County Children Services, was arrested late Monday and is being held at Butler County Juvenile Justice Center on the felony charge of aggravated assault. A court date at the juvenile center is set for Jan. 3.
St. John said the investigation is ongoing and detectives would be meeting with the prosecutor’s office.
Jeff Centers, executive director of Butler County Children Services, said the two juveniles involved do not have current or past cases with the department. After the severity of the incident became known, Butler County removed three of its juveniles from One Way Farm and placed them in different care.
St. John said the teens “were fighting over a flashlight that each one claimed was his,” he said.
The victim, a Fairfield High School student, has been in the hospital’s intensive care unit since Monday evening.
St. John said initial reports received Wednesday night said the boy had died, but he learned Thursday the information was false.
Both teenagers are residents of One Way Farm, St. John said. According to police reports, the teen charged in the assault weighs about 70 pounds more and is eight inches taller than the victim.
Greg Elam, board president of One Way Farm, said fights of this severity are “rare events” at the facility. Elam said counselors are on hand to help any juveniles at the facility who might be having a hard time coping with the events.
“As an organization that has been recognized as a leader in healing and helping children live a long and fruitful life, we are doing everything possible to understand and to cope with this unfortunate event that has affected these two children,” Elam said. “With more than 9,000 children coming through the One Way Farm, we have never experienced such loss.”
St. John said officers are called to the facility fairly often, but mainly on reports of runaway juveniles.
One Way Farm is licensed by the state and provides residential care 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. The agency has served about 8,500 children since 1976, according to its website. Earlier this year, One Way Farm was granted the 2011 Better Business Bureau Torch Award.
“When an agency has custody of a child they look at the needs and age of the child,” Centers said.
“They will try to place (the child) with family, then with foster care, then in a group home or a residential treatment facility.”
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2179 or [email protected].
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This doesn't appear to be the typical kind of program discussed hear of fornits. I couldn't determine by reading their website the percentage of kids admitted by parents versus those committed by agencies or courts. However, it does seem that they accept and presumably mix abused and neglected children with those placed by the juvenile courts. On the surface this seems like a potentially dangerous practice which the above story seems to support.
I agree, mostly this does look like a decent place. There is a section on their website that states something about long term placement but it is very vague. I do not think this is a behavior modification program at this time. It is another news article about a child almost killed in a program and there was a 3 hour window after the assault that no staff checked on the victim.
Hmm. I'm afraid that I am a lil less sanguine re. the alleged "lack of apparent abuse" that goes on at this place, not to mention whether or not they resort to methods of thought reform.
There is a disturbing amount of overly positive PR about this place. They must use the same marketing strategy that Boys' Town uses: crush the voices of complaint by rallying overwhelming community support behind the program's efforts to "save the children."
Don't get me wrong, maybe this all is "really for real," and I can then be safely labeled a dour suspicious ol' bear, but... I've known of folks who really have devoted their lives to endeavors of this ilk, and they don't get even a fraction of the press coverage or community service awards the founder of this place does. Ya gotta wonder, especially in Ohio, just how that comes to be.
I was also a lil taken aback to read how much of a fan of "tough-love" she is. Maybe she means something different by that term than everybody else does. Maybe not.
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There is a disturbing amount of overly positive PR about this place. They must use the same marketing strategy that Boys' Town uses: crush the voices of complaint by rallying overwhelming community support behind the program's efforts to "save the children."
Don't get me wrong, maybe this all is "really for real," and I can then be safely labeled a dour suspicious ol' bear, but... I've known of folks who really have devoted their lives to endeavors of this ilk, and they don't get even a fraction of the press coverage or community service awards the founder of this place does. Ya gotta wonder, especially in Ohio, just how that comes to be.
I was also a lil taken aback to read how much of a fan of "tough-love" she is. Maybe she means something different by that term than everybody else does. Maybe not.
I think you must have access to sources I'm not familiar with, or somehow overlooked. I don't know who "she" is nor do I remember reading about "tough love". This information might change my perception of the place.
My earlier opinion that this was more of a group home type place versus a BM facility is largely based upon the fact that the kids appear to have unmonitored mail and phone privileges and go to public schools, and may have unsupervised excursions off campus.
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From the above article (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=38371&p=410076#p410071), emphasis added:
Greg Elam, board president of One Way Farm, said fights of this severity are "rare events" at the facility.[/list]
Meaning... fights of this severity happen with some frequency?
[Fairfield Twp. Police Chief Richard] St. John said officers are called to the facility fairly often, but mainly on reports of runaway juveniles.[/list]
Always a good sign of a healthy, happy, loving home-like environment — lots of runaways.
Earlier this year, One Way Farm was granted the 2011 Better Business Bureau Torch Award.[/list]
I believe that was from the BBB of Cincinnati (http://http://cincinnati.bbb.org/). An aside of possible interest, or not, is that a neighboring BBB, namely the BBB of Central Ohio (http://http://centralohio.bbb.org/), is headed by Kip Morse (http://http://twitter.com/morsebbb), a 1981 graduate of Hyde School, and good chum and twitter pal of Malcolm Gauld (http://http://twitter.com/malmanac).
Anyway, here's an announcement (http://http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=252446384787317&id=188205631211393) of being a finalist for that award on One Way Farm's Facebook page:
One Way Farm Children's Home (http://http://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Way-Farm-Childrens-Home/188205631211393)
We are proud to announce that we have been selected by an independent panel of judges to be a finalist in the 2011 Better Business Bureau's Torch Award For marketplace ethics. This prestigious award will be announced October 27, 2011 at the Duke Energy Convention Center. If you would like to share this evening with us, please give Brenda a call or e-mail at [email protected]
Like · Comment · September 1 at 8:20am ·
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Here's One Way Farm founder Barbara Condo receiving the 2011 BBB Torch Award for marketplace ethics:
(http://http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6213/6313223036_ef2c3b7a81_m.jpg)
Barbara Condo, One Way Farm of Fairfield- BBB Torch Award Recipient
[photo taken Oct 27, 2011; uploaded Nov 4, 2011][/list]
Larger image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cincinnatibbb/6313223036/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cincinnatibbb/6313223036/)
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More pics from that evening; presumably at least some of these other folk are also from One Way Farm:
(http://http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6095/6313222422_ecb424403d_m.jpg)
_DSC1005
(http://http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6106/6312698859_c8c757f14b_m.jpg)
One Way Farm of Fairfield- Recipient
(http://http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6046/6313213206_6ba2d9b1bd_m.jpg)
_DSC0908
(http://http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6105/6313212652_91eb041663_m.jpg)
_DSC0907
(http://http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6100/6313211950_3657c9f839_m.jpg)
_DSC0912[/list]
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It is a wonder why they took some of the kids out of the place. Thanks for posting the followup article.
Ursus: I have researched programs solely by their websites before and thought they must be great places only to find out later from someone who had been there that it was all a hoax. So I am always suspicious of a program even if it does look benign.
Like I said earlier, it states on their website that there are some long term placements and according to the article posted above, both of these boys are residents of One Way Farm. I wonder what resident means in this facility.
I am concerned about police being called on runaways as a fairly often practice.
"Long-term independent housing."
on this page: http://www.onewayfarm.org/programs.php?id=youth (http://www.onewayfarm.org/programs.php?id=youth)
"We have stay-awake staff twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week."
on this page: http://www.onewayfarm.org/programs.php?id=counseling (http://www.onewayfarm.org/programs.php?id=counseling)
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One Way Farm Press Release:
http://www.onewayfarm.org/press/press-r ... 122311.pdf (http://www.onewayfarm.org/press/press-release-122311.pdf)
One Way Farm of Fairfield, Inc.
6131 River Road Fairfield, Ohio 45014 or P.O. Box 18637 Fairfield, Ohio 45018
www.onewayfarm.org (http://www.onewayfarm.org)
MEDIA STATEMENT
From Greg Elam, Board President, One Way Farm
One Way Farm Children’s Home provides year-round, 24-hour care for severely abused,
abandoned, neglected and troubled children, many with mental and physical challenges.
On Monday (12/19/11) evening two of our youth, ages 16 and 17, were involved in an
altercation that resulted in the hospitalization of one of the youth and juvenile detention
of the other. Our deepest sympathies go out to the youth and their families. This
unexpected event has affected many. Please keep all involved in your thoughts and
prayers with us.
We are doing everything possible to understand and to cope with this unfortunate event
that has affected these two youth. The incident is currently under investigation by
Fairfield Township Police and One Way Farm. One Way Farm has served the community
for 34 years and will continue to be a service to children and youth in need for many
years to come. We are working in the best interests of the children now in our care.
They are receiving counseling to protect the progress they have made; this will continue
to support their emotional healing.
We are extremely heartbroken over this event. With more than 9,000 children and youth
coming through the One Way Farm, we have never experienced anything such as this.
visit www.onewayfarm.org (http://www.onewayfarm.org)
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It never ceases to amaze me how much money these "non-profit" orgs make. And executives pay themselves.
Barbara Condo (Founder of One Way farm)paid herself almost 85,000 dollars in 2005. In more recent tax records she has omitted how much she pays herself. I found this online, but when you read on the program's website, the tax report is much different looking and does not include this information.
http://dynamodata.fdncenter.org/990_pdf ... 06_990.pdf (http://dynamodata.fdncenter.org/990_pdf_archive/310/310926233/310926233_200606_990.pdf)
vs.
http://www.onewayfarm.org/docs/2006_audit.pdf (http://www.onewayfarm.org/docs/2006_audit.pdf)
One more interesting tidbit of information about Condo:
Barbara Condo grew up in Appalachian Kentucky before moving to Ohio. She had five children of her own, but always found room for more. With a powerful desire to help others, she created One Way Farm Children's Home located in Fairfield, Ohio in 1976, with $59.00 and a mission; to provide a home to the homeless. Initially she provided a home for adult parolees. In this loving atmosphere, her farmhouse was soon overflowing.
That seems to imply that she had at least 5 children while taking in adult parolees into the same farmhouse. This seems very irresponsible to say the least.
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Thanks, wdtony, for all the research you're doing on this story. I think you are fairly local to the area so please keep us posted as the story develops. I'm especially interested in any news regarding the young victim's condition. Hopefully he'll experience a Christmas miracle and recover.
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http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/day ... 03384.html (http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/teen-remains-critical-after-assault-at-group-home-1303384.html)
Teen remains critical after assault at group home
Suspect has no prior history of violence, Warren County Children Services says
By Hannah Poturalski, Staff Writer Updated 1:13 PM Friday, December 23, 2011
FAIRFIELD TWP. — A 16-year-old boy assaulted Monday night at a group home remains in critical condition at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, a hospital official confirmed today.
The Fairfield High School student was brutally beaten between 7:30 and 8 p.m. Monday at One Way Farm on River Road and has been hospitalized since late Monday after police received reports of the assault three hours later around 11:30 p.m., said Fairfield Twp. Police Chief Richard J. St. John.
A 17-year-old male is accused of punching the victim, throwing him to the ground — where he landed on his head — and laying on top of him before punching him repeatedly in the head, the chief said.
“We called it a fight but it really wasn’t much of a fight,” St. John said. “The arrestee just basically assaulted the victim.”
St. John said Thursday the teens, both residents at the group home, “were fighting over a flashlight that each one claimed was his.”
The suspect, a ward of Warren County Children Services, was arrested late Monday and is being held at Butler County Juvenile Justice Center on the felony charge of aggravated assault. A court date is set for Jan. 3.
Patricia Jacobs, director of Warren County Children Services, said the suspect in this case had been placed at One Way Farm at the end of November and that he had no prior history of violence. Prior to placement, the teenager was living with his family in Warren County and had no prior involvement with children services.
Jacobs said the suspect was the only youth placed at the facility by Warren County Children Services, which has occasionally placed children at One Way Farm over the course of many years.
“We try to make placements tailored to the needs of the child,” Jacobs said. “We try to constantly be assessing those placements because sometimes it’s not a good fit.”
Jacobs said the length of a youth’s stay in a group home such as One Way Farm is based on regular assessments of the child, reports from the treatment providers, and activities of the parents. She said it’s harder to place older teenagers that might have developmental problems.
“It’s kind of the nature of teenage boys, they have fights,” Jacobs said. “Places like One Way Farm don’t have kids with typical upbringings.”
Greg Elam, board president of One Way Farm, said fights of this severity are “rare events” at the facility. St. John said officers are called fairly often to One Way Farm, but mainly on reports of runaway juveniles.
St. John said Fairfield Twp. police have been dispatched to One Way Farm a total of 92 times since Jan. 1. In 2010, police responded 166 times to the facility. St. John said he’s unable to distinguish calls to the facility based on type of call.
St. John said he doesn’t have any information on the victim’s home life and where he is from. He did say the victim’s grandmother is his legal guardian.
St. John said the investigation is ongoing but no interviews are planned for Friday in the investigation. Detectives have interviewed witnesses and staff of the facility, St. John said.
St. John doesn’t anticipate any change in the charge against the suspect.
“Should the circumstances change as far as the condition (of the victim) we will consult with the prosecutor,” St. John said.
One Way Farm is non-profit organization licensed by the state to provide residential care 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. The agency has served about 8,500 children since 1976, according to its website. Earlier this year, One Way Farm was granted the 2011 Better Business Bureau Torch Award.
Jody Canupp, development director at One Way Farm, said the agency accepts children from nine Ohio counties, including Butler, Warren and Hamilton counties, but she declined to release the names of the other counties. According to the facility’s website, each of the male and female shelters have 20 beds available but Canupp also declined to release how many beds are currently filled.
When asked about the agency’s protocol for responding to fights, Canupp said, “I don’t care to answer that question,” and referred further comment to Fairfield Twp. police detectives.
Canupp said it is not state regulation to have medical staff on-hand. Canupp said about 30 people are employed at One Way Farm, an amount she said is above state regulation.
According to the agency’s financial statements, total income is about $1.5 million with more than $560,000 coming from children services agencies for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2179 or [email protected].
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My god, 92 times and 166 times in less than 2 years. This program is getting more questionable as time goes on.
If this poor kid didn't have a past with social services or a police record, why was he institutionalized in a program that preaches the program as a last resort?
Thanks for posting this article, I hope the investigation turns up something if this program is hiding things.
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My god, 92 times and 166 times in less than 2 years. This program is getting more questionable as time goes on.
No shit.
If this poor kid didn't have a past with social services or a police record, why was he institutionalized in a program that preaches the program as a last resort?
Is it possible this place may be one of those "holding tanks" where kids get put upon removal from their families by social service agencies? It seems like these agencies have been getting more and more aggressive and taking some actions that are beyond the pale (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=38089&p=407593#p407593) ... as far as what's in the best interests of the child is concerned.
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It probably could be a type of holding place used by social services. I am not familiar with the Ohio Cabinet's practices.
I think it is a bit weird what this woman said:
Jody Canupp, development director at One Way Farm, said the agency accepts children from nine Ohio counties, including Butler, Warren and Hamilton counties, but she declined to release the names of the other counties. According to the facility’s website, each of the male and female shelters have 20 beds available but Canupp also declined to release how many beds are currently filled.
When asked about the agency’s protocol for responding to fights, Canupp said, “I don’t care to answer that question,” and referred further comment to Fairfield Twp. police detectives.
So there are not 20 beds in this program, but a total of 40. And Canupp won't state her knowledge about protocol when it comes to fights. I would think the development director would be aware of all protocols.
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There is a disturbing amount of overly positive PR about this place. They must use the same marketing strategy that Boys' Town uses: crush the voices of complaint by rallying overwhelming community support behind the program's efforts to "save the children."
Don't get me wrong, maybe this all is "really for real," and I can then be safely labeled a dour suspicious ol' bear, but... I've known of folks who really have devoted their lives to endeavors of this ilk, and they don't get even a fraction of the press coverage or community service awards the founder of this place does. Ya gotta wonder, especially in Ohio, just how that comes to be.
I was also a lil taken aback to read how much of a fan of "tough-love" she is. Maybe she means something different by that term than everybody else does. Maybe not.
I think you must have access to sources I'm not familiar with, or somehow overlooked. I don't know who "she" is nor do I remember reading about "tough love". This information might change my perception of the place.
"She" is the founder of One Way Farm, and her name is Barbara Condo.
Here is the article that I (obliquely) referred to. There is no date noted in either of the two links, and the Cincinnati Enquirer archives only go as far back as the mid 1990s, so I'm not sure exactly when this was originally published. My guess is that it was some time late 1982.
Alternate link for article (http://http://www.docstoc.com/docs/23792142/Barbara-Condo-Knows-One-Way-To-Help-Troubled-Youths-Change) includes grainy b&w pic of Condo in 1982 or 83.
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Cincinnati Enquirer
"WOMEN OF THE YEAR 1982"
Barbara Condo Knows One Way To Help Troubled Youths Change (http://http://www.onewayfarm.org/docs/news/news2.pdf)
Barbara Condo just returned from a vacation in Florida. She couldn't wait to get back.
"My family sent me off to get a rest. But I'm not used to all the peace and quiet. I had to turn on the TV every night just to get to sleep. I needed the noise."
The noise that Mrs. Condo loves is the activity at One Way Farm, of which she is the founding mother and spiritual bedrock. The family that sent her to Florida is the 11 teen-agers who live there with her.
Only three of them are hers, three of seven children who still remain at home. The rest are from broken homes, alcoholic or abusive parents, drug addictions, lives of crime, worlds they can't cope with. For helping them to cope with it anyway, Mrs. Condo has been named one of 10 Enquirer Women of the Year for 1982.
It is not the first time she has been named a woman of the year. A few years ago she was Fairfield's Woman of the Year.
Mrs. Condo and her husband, Jerry, formed One Way Farm about six years ago as a place for "trouble kids," where they could find refuge, either from their own families, jail or sometimes even from themselves. Since then, it has become something of a haven, not only for the youths, but for Butler Country Juvenile Court authorities who need to find some tough-love for their young offenders.
Tough-love is what the Condos specialize in. "You can teach kids who are full of hate," Mrs. Condo says. "I teach them some responsibility, and don't let them get by with things. If they're cons at 13, they'll be cons their whole lives, unless something changes. Here, they're productive. And loved. I'm blessed to be able to put that philosophy to use. It's my gift to the world."
That philosophy comes from direct experience. "I had such a rough childhood myself—cold, hungry, lonely and humiliated. But I just couldn't let it go to waste. I know what it is to want to be wanted so bad.
"Here, we recreate the extended family. We all live together, just like a family, and deal with everyday problems. If a kid comes home with a D, he's going to study harder. Even my own kids live here, and they've been raised with ex-offenders, drug addicts, even murderers. They're exceptional kids. They've had a million-dollar education without the cost."
Over the years, the Condos have been family to more than 200 youths. "My husband never knows what his family's going to consist of when he gets home from work (as a truck driver). He just comes in and introduces himself. A lot of people couldn't do that. I certainly couldn't do all this if he couldn't."
Mrs. Condo's work with the youths isn't a sometime thing, because the youths are not a sometime thing. They live right there. So does she. She works from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., and then some. "You never know when you're going to get a phone call."
Mrs. Condo measures her success in the tangible ways of the heart. "When one of the kids I've had calls me over Christmas, and maybe he's not even employed, and maybe she's got kids by then, and says 'I'm making it!'—that's success."
FRIDAY: Barbara Fitch
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The 1982 Women of the Year honorees will be recognized Feb. 25 during a
noon luncheon in the Grand Ballroom of Stouffer's Cincinnati Towers, Sixth and Elm Sts., downtown.
Tickets for the luncheon are $7 each. They may be purchased by mailing a check or money order and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Women of the Year Tickets, The Enquirer, 617 Vine St., Cincinnati 45201. Requests should indicate a preference for a meat or fish entree. Tickets may also be purchased in the Circulation Department on the third floor of The Enquirer. No tickets will be sold at the luncheon.
# # #
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Is it possible this place may be one of those "holding tanks" where kids get put upon removal from their families by social service agencies? It seems like these agencies have been getting more and more aggressive and taking some actions that are beyond the pale (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=38089&p=407593#p407593) ... as far as what's in the best interests of the child is concerned.
So there are not 20 beds in this program, but a total of 40. And Canupp won't state her knowledge about protocol when it comes to fights. I would think the development director would be aware of all protocols.
One thing we know about programs, especially ones that live off public money, is that they hate to have empty beds. In the end it all boils down to the money.
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From the above article (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=38371&p=410128#p410123), emphasis added:
It is not the first time [Barbara Condo] has been named a woman of the year. A few years ago she was Fairfield's Woman of the Year.[/list]
That award was from the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, if I'm not mistaken... Just google "chamber of commerce" + ohio + "voter fraud" and see what ya get! :D
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Mrs. Condo and her husband, Jerry, formed One Way Farm about six years ago as a place for "trouble kids," where they could find refuge, either from their own families, jail or sometimes even from themselves. Since then, it has become something of a haven, not only for the youths, but for Butler Country Juvenile Court authorities who need to find some tough-love for their young offenders.
Tough-love is what the Condos specialize in. "You can teach kids who are full of hate," Mrs. Condo says. "I teach them some responsibility, and don't let them get by with things. If they're cons at 13, they'll be cons their whole lives, unless something changes. Here, they're productive. And loved. I'm blessed to be able to put that philosophy to use. It's my gift to the world."
Okay, it's a Program. As such places go it may not be as bad as some others. There's a certain degree of protection that comes from having mail and phone privileges and going to public schools, and having unsupervised time away from campus, but the mentality appears to be largely the same.
It's that quote above "sometimes even from themselves" that I think irks me the most. There's a huge difference between being nurtured and guided on the one hand and being manipulated and trained like a circus animal on the other. There's a fine line between doing things for people and doing things to people.
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My earlier opinion that this was more of a group home type place versus a BM facility is largely based upon the fact that the kids appear to have unmonitored mail and phone privileges and go to public schools, and may have unsupervised excursions off campus.
If they can intimidate or indoctrinate you to censor yourself, there is less need for these more obvious and admittedly crude methods of ensuring behavior modification.
In fact, the more sophisticated and less overt the methodology, the more insidious and long-lasting the damage. And the more difficult it is to tease out and recover from.
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My earlier opinion that this was more of a group home type place versus a BM facility is largely based upon the fact that the kids appear to have unmonitored mail and phone privileges and go to public schools, and may have unsupervised excursions off campus.
If they can intimidate or indoctrinate you to censor yourself, there is less need for these more obvious and admittedly crude methods of ensuring behavior modification.
In fact, the more sophisticated and less overt the methodology, the more insidious and long-lasting the damage. And the more difficult it is to tease out and recover from.
You're talking about Hyde, right? That place must really mess with people's minds. I understand what you are saying. That's why the physical torture attempts at mind control failed while the seemingly softer more benign tactics involving peer pressure and the illusion of choice have been so successful.
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My earlier opinion that this was more of a group home type place versus a BM facility is largely based upon the fact that the kids appear to have unmonitored mail and phone privileges and go to public schools, and may have unsupervised excursions off campus.
If they can intimidate or indoctrinate you to censor yourself, there is less need for these more obvious and admittedly crude methods of ensuring behavior modification.
In fact, the more sophisticated and less overt the methodology, the more insidious and long-lasting the damage. And the more difficult it is to tease out and recover from.
You're talking about Hyde, right? That place must really mess with people's minds. I understand what you are saying. That's why the physical torture attempts at mind control failed while the seemingly softer more benign tactics involving peer pressure and the illusion of choice have been so successful.
:rofl:
You got it. But what Hyde also does is scapegoating, i.e., making individuals so-called examples of what everyone is afraid of becoming. This ends up becoming an incredible disincentive for folk to differ from the status quo.
"Courage," my ass. In reality, it plays as "Conformity."
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Mrs. Condo and her husband, Jerry, formed One Way Farm about six years ago as a place for "trouble kids," where they could find refuge, either from their own families, jail or sometimes even from themselves. Since then, it has become something of a haven, not only for the youths, but for Butler Country Juvenile Court authorities who need to find some tough-love for their young offenders.
Tough-love is what the Condos specialize in. "You can teach kids who are full of hate," Mrs. Condo says. "I teach them some responsibility, and don't let them get by with things. If they're cons at 13, they'll be cons their whole lives, unless something changes. Here, they're productive. And loved. I'm blessed to be able to put that philosophy to use. It's my gift to the world."
Okay, it's a Program. As such places go it may not be as bad as some others. There's a certain degree of protection that comes from having mail and phone privileges and going to public schools, and having unsupervised time away from campus, but the mentality appears to be largely the same.
It's that quote above "sometimes even from themselves" that I think irks me the most. There's a huge difference between being nurtured and guided on the one hand and being manipulated and trained like a circus animal on the other. There's a fine line between doing things for people and doing things to people.
Ya know, I wasn't necessarily trying to convince anyone that this place IS, in fact, a "program" as it is commonly understood to be on fornits. It's just that far too many familiar components associated with coercive thought reform appear to be, and appear to have been for quite some time, securely in place. Consequently, I'm more than a lil suspicious of and concerned about what actually happens to kids, psychologically, long term, as a result of exposure to this place.
I imagine that a number of kids feel truly helped by One Way Farm. I certainly wouldn't want to take that away from them.
On the other hand, there is certainly present and evident, to *me* at least, a number of ideological loopholes often resorted to in this binnis of behav mod that have, historically, resulted in psychological and emotional damage to some kids over the years. Consequently, in *my* book at least, this place has a red flag draped all over it.
Fwiw, I really don't mind if I'm the only one who thinks that-a-way.
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Ya know, I wasn't necessarily trying to convince anyone that this place IS, in fact, a "program" as it is commonly understood to be on fornits. It's just that far too many familiar components associated with coercive thought reform appear to be, and appear to have been for quite some time, securely in place. Consequently, I'm more than a lil suspicious of and concerned about what actually happens to kids, psychologically, long term, as a result of exposure to this place.
I imagine that a number of kids feel truly helped by One Way Farm. I certainly wouldn't want to take that away from them.
On the other hand, there is certainly present and evident, to *me* at least, a number of ideological loopholes often resorted to in this binnis of behav mod that have, historically, resulted in psychological and emotional damage to some kids over the years. Consequently, in *my* book at least, this place has a red flag draped all over it.
Fwiw, I really don't mind if I'm the only one who thinks that-a-way.
If I were a kid being routinely beaten or neglected to such an extent that I didn't have food to eat, clothes to wear, or medical or dental care and I was in pain then I'd probably welcome being removed from my home and placed in a place like One Way Farm. In my book the real problem is when kids are forcefully removed from their homes and placed against their will anywhere. In that case I'd view One Way Farm as a prison. It doesn't matter how nice the place may be a gilded cage is still a cage.
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Two things bother me. If this is such a loving, family oriented place, why all the runaways? And the language about tough love and helping them from themselves is eerily familiar.
I hope the kid in the hospital makes a full recovery. It sounds like he got assaulted over an argument and the staff didn't do anything to the assailant afterwards. If the cops are called so frequently, why weren't they called about this assault? Weird.
when this poor kid gets out of the hospital, I hope he can answer all questions about this place. I am sure the police will want to know every detail.
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Dayton Daily News
Teen's assault worst incident in One Way Farm history, founder says (http://http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/crime/teens-assault-worst-incident-in-one-way-farm-history-founder-says-1303384.html)
Teen suspect had no history of violence; victim remains 'critical'
By Hannah Poturalski, Staff Writer Updated 8:22 PM Friday, December 23, 2011
(http://http://www.ohio-share.coxnewsweb.com/multimedia/dynamic/01061/75750298_-1_1061068b.jpg)
One Way Farm in Fairfield Twp. houses wayward teens in a group home setting. Samantha Grier/Staff photographer
FAIRFIELD TWP. — The founder of the One Way Farm Children’s Home said the beating earlier this week that left a teenager on life support is the most severe incident in its 34-year history.
The 16-year-old boy remained in critical condition Friday at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, a hospital spokeswoman confirmed. The teen, a Fairfield High School student, was assaulted Monday night by another resident, a 17-year-old Warren County boy, who is charged with felony aggravated assault.
Barbara Condo, founder and executive director of One Way Farm, said no fight or incident comes close to matching the severity of the assault Monday night at the River Road facility.
“It’s most disturbing for me because this is not a job — this is what I do, this is my life,” she said.
Condo said while the police investigation is ongoing, her agency can’t speak on specifics of the incident.
Staff at the group home called 911 around 11:30 p.m. Monday to report an unresponsive boy. The call came three hours after he had been assaulted, according to Fairfield Twp. police.
Between 7:30 and 8 p.m. Monday, the 17-year-old allegedly punched the victim, throwing him to the ground — where he landed on his head — and then repeatedly punched him in the head, said Fairfield Twp. Police Chief Richard St. John, during a dispute over a flashlight each boy claimed was his.
“We called it a fight but it really wasn’t much of a fight,” St. John said. “The arrestee just basically assaulted the victim.”
Police were not called immediately after the assault, and the victim was up, walking and talking after the incident, St. John said. He was discovered later that night, unconscious on the floor, during a bed check by staff members, according to police reports.
The suspect, a ward of Warren County Children Services, is in custody at Butler County Juvenile Justice Center. A hearing is set for Jan. 3 in Butler County Juvenile Court.
Patricia Jacobs, director of Warren County Children Services, said the teen has no prior history of violence and had been at One Way Farm since the end of November.
Prior to placement, the teenager was living with his family in Warren County and had no prior involvement with children services, she said. He was the only youth at the facility placed by Warren County Children Services, though the child welfare agency has placed children at One Way Farm over the course of many years, Jacobs said.
One Way Farm followed protocol in issuing a critical incident report to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which licenses the agency, documents show. Angela Terez, an ODJFS spokeswoman, said by Tuesday her office had been notified the teen was hospitalized.
The agency has served about 8,500 children since 1976, said Greg Elam, board president of One Way Farm. Although officials would not detail its policy regarding its responses to fights and when to notify authorities, Elam said that “typically disputes with kids are handled internally.”
In accordance with its policy, Butler County Children Services on Tuesday removed three youths it had placed at One Way Farm, said Director Jeff Centers.
“We moved the kids right away,” Centers said upon learning the severity of the attack.
Jody Canupp, development director at One Way Farm, said the facility accepts children from nine Ohio counties, including Butler and Warren counties. She would not disclose how many children were at the 20-bed facility, nor whether any other youths had been removed following the incident.
According to Fairfield Twp. police records, officers have been dispatched 92 times since Jan. 1, which is down from last year when police responded 166 times to One Way Farm. St. John said he was unable to provide information on the types of calls because the records staff was off for the holiday, however, he said the majority of calls are for reports of runaway juveniles.
One Way Farm has received numerous accolades for its service. Most recently it was granted a 2011 Better Business Bureau Torch Award.
The children’s home is nonprofit organization licensed by ODJFS to provide residential care 365 days a year, 24 hours a day to 10 male children between the ages of 6 and 17, or if handicapped, up to age 21, through its Sunrise home at 6141 River Road. It also has a capacity of 10 female children, ages 6 to 17, or up to 21 for handicapped clients, through its New Dawn home at 6145 River Road on its campus, documents show. The agency has full certification through Dec. 29, 2012.
State records show few, minor instances of noncompliance. It’s most recent audit, dated Nov. 15, had four findings, records show, three dealing with paperwork. According to records, the agency did not file a report until three days after a resident was taken to the hospital in September; a child’s file did not contain documentation about who transported the child to the facility and that person’s agency affiliation; documentation was missing noting whether an employee’s references were verified prior to hire; and lastly, that no doors were hung leading into any of the four boys bedrooms.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2179 or [email protected].
Copyright © 2011 Cox Ohio Publishing, Dayton, Ohio, USA.
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Ok, so the police were called 92 times this year and 166 times last year. That is a damn lot of times for a place that holds a total of about 20 kids.
That's 258 times in the last 2 years total. Wow.
I guess the bright side is that the kids are actually able to run away relatively easy. It is still questionable why they would want to run away so badly from a place full of love. Maybe out of fear from being assaulted over a flashlight.
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Two things bother me. If this is such a loving, family oriented place, why all the runaways?
I was wondering the same thing. Even assuming they are working with a difficult population that's still a lot of runaways.
It sounds like he got assaulted over an argument and the staff didn't do anything to the assailant afterwards. If the cops are called so frequently, why weren't they called about this assault? Weird.
Yeah, it is. All of those police calls can't be for runaways can they?
when this poor kid gets out of the hospital, I hope he can answer all questions about this place. I am sure the police will want to know every detail.
I hope he recovers and I hope the police really do want to know every detail, but with all the calls over the past two years certainly they had to know something was up.
Ok, so the police were called 92 times this year and 166 times last year. That is a damn lot of times for a place that holds a total of about 20 kids.
That's 258 times in the last 2 years total. Wow.
Wow! That's about 2.5 times per week or almost 13 times per kid.
State records show few, minor instances of noncompliance...and lastly, that no doors were hung leading into any of the four boys bedrooms.
Despite all the rosy language and supposed rights no doors on the rooms strongly suggests a total lack of trust of the boys and a much more authoritarian structure than is presented in the media. This combined with all the police calls and runaways makes me wonder if the program is taking a lot of violent adjudicated kids to fill beds.
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http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/c ... 03870.html (http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/crime/one-way-farm-teen-severely-beaten-still-in-critical-condition-1303870.html)
One Way Farm teen severely beaten still in critical condition
Male was assaulted at One Way Farm Children’s Home.
Staff report Updated 10:02 PM Sunday, December 25, 2011
FAIRFIELD TWP. — A spokeswoman with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center said Sunday there was no update on the condition of a 16-year-old boy who was beaten early last week at One Way Farm Children’s Home in Fairfield Twp.
The boy was listed in critical condition on Sunday night, according to hospital officials.
The teen, a Fairfield High School student, was assaulted Monday night by another resident of the children’s home, a 17-year-old Warren County boy. He has been charged with felony aggravated assault, according to Fairfield Twp. police.
Staff at the group home called 911 at around ?11:30 p.m. Monday to report an unresponsive boy. The call came three hours after he had been assaulted, according to police.
Between 7:30 and 8 p.m. Monday, the 17-year-old allegedly punched the victim, throwing him to the ground — where he landed on his head — and then repeatedly punched him in the head, said Fairfield Twp. Police Chief Richard St. John. The altercation was the result of a dispute over a flashlight each boy claimed was his.
Police were not called immediately after the assault, and the victim was up, walking and talking after the incident, St. John said. He was discovered later that night, unconscious on the floor, during a bed check by staff members, according to the police report.
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http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/cinc ... ld-oh-9826 (http://www.bbb.org/charity-reviews/cincinnati/children-and-youth/one-way-farm-of-fairfield-inc-in-fairfield-oh-9826)
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, One Way Farm of Fairfield's program expenses were:
Programs 1,173,170
Total Program Expenses: $1,173,170
Governance
Chief Executive : Ms. Barbara J. Condo, Executive Director & Founder
Compensation*: $80,000
Chair of the Board: Mr. Denny Benson
Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation: Director of Operations, Broshear Construction
Board Size: 5
Paid Staff Size: 32
Fund Raising
Method(s) Used: direct mail appeals, invitations to fundraising events, print advertisements, grant proposals, Internet
Fundraising costs were 16% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $835,575, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
Source of Funds
Contributions - Cash 625,969
Contracts - Other Counties 448,889
Contracts - Bulter County Children's Services 111,056
Contributions - In-Kind 94,885
Thrift Store Sales 84,124
Fundraising Events 66,969
Grants 47,752
Contracts - USDA Reimbursement 21,382
Other Income 525
Total Income $1,501,551
Uses of Funds as a % of Total Expenses
Programs: 76% Fund Raising: 9% Administrative: 15%
Total income $1,501,551
Program expenses $1,173,170
Fund raising expenses 134,493
Administrative expenses 222,871
Total expenses $1,530,534
Expenses in Excess of Income (28,983)
Beginning net assets 662,639
Ending net assets 633,656
Total liabilities 578,055
Total assets $1,211,711
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Additional One Way Farm links
One Way Farm Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Way-F ... 93?sk=wall (http://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Way-Farm-Childrens-Home/188205631211393?sk=wall)
Fairview Web TV - One Way Farm Fundraising Event Video: http://www.fairfieldwebtv.com/One-Way-Farm.html (http://www.fairfieldwebtv.com/One-Way-Farm.html)
About 1:40 into the video is a promo video for the program.
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http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_nor ... home-fight (http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_north_cincinnati/fairfield/police-fairfield-teen-badly-hurt-in-group-home-fight)
One Way Farm fight over flashlight leaves teenager on life support
Read more: http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_nor ... z1hnumxR00 (http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_north_cincinnati/fairfield/police-fairfield-teen-badly-hurt-in-group-home-fight#ixzz1hnumxR00)
Posted: 12/22/2011
By: Tom McKee By: Tom McKee
FAIRFIELD TWP, Ohio - A Monday night fight over a flashlight at a Fairfield Township group home has left one teenager hospitalized on life support and another teenager in the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center.
It happened around 7:30 p.m. at One Way Farm on River Road, according to Fairfield Township Police Chief Richard St. John. The facility houses up to 20 abused, neglected or abandoned young men and women at a time.
"We're just heartbroken over the incident," said One Way Farm Development Director Jody Canupp. "It's a tragedy to say the least."
The injured youth is 16 and in the intensive care unit at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. The alleged assailant is 17 and charged with aggravated assault, a fourth degree felony. WCPO is not naming either one because of their age.
Questions were being raised Thursday whether the hospitalized teenager should have received medical attention as soon as the fight was broken up, instead of three hours later.
Chief St. John said that during the fight the victim landed on his head as he was being body slammed to the floor.
"The assailant then punched him in the face and head," the chief said. "Staff reacted immediately, intervened and broke them up -- broke up the fight."
Investigators say video surveillance shows the victim was alert and walking and didn't seem to have sustained a serious injury.
That quickly changed.
"A couple of hours later the staff did bedchecks and found the victim on the floor of his room unconscious and he had vomited," Chief St. John said.
One Way Farm employees called 911 and Fairfield Fire Department paramedics took the youth to University Hospital. He was later transferred to Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
Canupp said the staff members working Monday evening were certified in CPR and knew what they were doing. She added that the teenager appeared "normal" and not in any sort of medical distress.
"All of our staff and caregivers are trained professionals," she said. "They did everything in their power and their ability to help the children. It's just sad that this has happened."
Chief St. John said he was saddened by what took place.
"It's insignificant that a fight over a flashlight would escalate to the point that you've got someone laying in intensive care on life support," he said. "That's really an insignificant thing to fight over. It really is."
The chief said most runs to One Way farm involve reports of runaways where residents leave the premises without permission. They're often picked up and returned to the home a short time later.
"On occasion we are summoned down there because there's an assault taking place -- a fight between residents," he said. "On very rare occasions we'll get calls down there where a resident has assaulted a staff member."
One Way Farm has been operating for 34 years and has helped more than 9,000 children find refuge from abuse, neglect or abandonment, according to Canupp.
"Our concern right now is for the families of the children," she said. "We just hope that everyone will keep us and the teens in their prayers."
Butler County Children's Services had three youths at One Way Farm, but moved them out after the fight. Hamilton County Job & Family Services Spokesperson Brian Gregg said the agency was considering moving its six juveniles housed at One Way Farm.
Canupp said the teens left the home screaming and crying.
"It's just said that that everyone is having to face this and these children right before Christrmas are going through this," she said. "It was just so sudden. We actually are working with all the case workers right now to get their Christmas presents to them so they will at least have a warm Christmas."
She added, "One Way Farm has had 34 years of a spotless reputation and we definitely do everything that we can to help these children to be able to transition into society. I hope that everyone will remember what we've done and not this horrible incident."
Greg Elam, board president at One Way Farm, released the following statement regarding the incident:
Licensed by the State of Ohio, One Way Farm Children’s Home provides year-round, 24-hour care for severely abused, abandoned, neglected and troubled youth, as well as children with mental and physical challenges. On Monday (12/19/11) evening two of our children, ages 16 and 17, were involved in an altercation that resulted in the hospitalization of one of the children. As an organization that has been recognized as a leader in healing and helping children live a long and fruitful life, we are doing everything possible to understand and to cope with this unfortunate event that has affected these two children. The incident is currently under investigation by Fairfield Township Police and One Way Farm. While it is being investigated, the instigator of the fight was removed immediately from One Way Farm and placed in the Butler County Juvenile Detention. We continue to work in the best interests of
the children in our care and will be providing counseling to protect the progress they have made and to continue to support their emotional healing.
We are extremely heartbroken over this event. With more than 9,000 children coming through the One Way Farm, we have never experienced such loss. Visit http://www.onewayfarm.org (http://www.onewayfarm.org) .
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Read more: http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_nor ... z1hnuzDX6L (http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/region_north_cincinnati/fairfield/police-fairfield-teen-badly-hurt-in-group-home-fight#ixzz1hnuzDX6L)
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http://news.cincinnati.com/article/2011 ... -home-dies (http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20111228/NEWS0107/111228036/Teen-beaten-Butler-Co-group-home-dies)
Teen beaten at Butler Co. group home dies
11:17 PM, Dec. 28, 2011
The teen who was beaten at a Butler County group home for troubled youths has died, officials said, and a second teen could face upgraded charges as a result.
Anthony Parker, 16, died Wednesday evening at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, where he had been placed on life support following an attack last week at the One Way Farm in Fairfield Township.
A 17-year-old boy, who was much bigger than Anthony, had body-slammed his head onto the floor and beat him Dec. 19, police said previously. The boys were fighting over which of them owned a flashlight.
At first, Anthony didn’t seem to be seriously hurt after staff members broke up the fight, police have said, but staff later found that Anthony had lost consciousness and had vomited. He was taken to University Hospital and then was transferred to Children’s.
The 17-year-old was being held on an aggravated assault charge at the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center. His pretrial hearing was set for Jan. 3.
One Way Farm is a state-certified, nonprofit facility that provides temporary or emergency housing for abused, abandoned, neglected or troubled children and teens, many in need of medication, according to its website. Many teens are sent by children services agencies and by the courts.
The organization also cares for youths with disabilities and developmental disabilities. It has been in operation more than 32 years and has served thousands of children. It has a capacity for about 25 juveniles.
One Way Farm is licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which is investigating the assault.
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http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/m ... 05137.html (http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/middletown-news/teen-hurt-in-group-home-fight-dies-from-injuries-1305137.html)
Teen hurt in group home fight dies from injuries
One Way Farm in Fairfield Twp. houses wayward teens in a group home setting.
Samantha Grier/Staff photographer One Way Farm in Fairfield Twp. houses wayward teens in a group home setting.
ENLARGE PHOTO
Related
More charges may come after teen death from beating
Severity of beating prompts removal of teens from group home
Staff Report Updated 10:59 AM Thursday, December 29, 2011
A 16-year-old boy who was beaten in a fight recently at One Way Farm Children’s Home in Fairfield Twp., has died.
Anthony Parker died today according to Jim Feuer, a spokesman for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
The teen, a Fairfield High School student, was assaulted Dec. 19 by another resident, a 17-year-old Warren County boy, who is charged with felony aggravated assault.
Staff at the group home called 911 around 11:30 p.m. Dec. 19 to report an unresponsive boy. The call came three hours after he had been assaulted, according to Fairfield Twp. police. Between 7:30 and 8 p.m., the 17-year-old punched the victim, throwing him to the ground — where he landed on his head — and then repeatedly punched him in the head, said Fairfield Twp. Police Chief Richard St. John, who said the assault occurred during a dispute over a flashlight each boy claimed was his.
Patricia Jacobs, director of Warren County Children Services, said the teen who is charged has no prior history of violence and had been at One Way Farm since the end of November.
Prior to placement, the teenager was living with his family in Warren County and had no prior involvement with children services, she said. He was the only youth at the facility placed by Warren County Children Services, though the child welfare agency has placed children at One Way Farm over the course of many years, Jacobs said.
The children’s home is nonprofit organization licensed by ODJFS to provide residential care 365 days a year, 24 hours a day to 10 male children between the ages of 6 and 17, or if handicapped, up to age 21, through its Sunrise home at 6141 River Road.
It also has a capacity of 10 female children, ages 6 to 17, or up to 21 for handicapped clients, through its New Dawn home at 6145 River Road on its campus, documents show.
The agency has full certification through Dec. 29, 2012.
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http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/c ... 05326.html (http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/crime/more-charges-may-come-after-teen-death-from-beating-1305326.html)
More charges may come after teen death from beating
Related
Teen hurt in group home fight dies from injuries
By Hannah Poturalski, Staff Writer Updated 10:49 AM Thursday, December 29, 2011
FAIRFIELD TWP. — Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser is considering an upgraded charge against a teen accused in the beating of another teen who died from his injuries.
Anthony Parker, 16, died Wednesday at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center after being in the hospital since Dec. 19, according to Jim Feuer, hospital spokesman.
Parker, a Fairfield High School student, was assaulted Dec. 19 at One Way Farm Children’s Home by another resident, a 17-year-old Warren County boy, who is charged with felony aggravated assault.
“We will be doing a moment of silence on Monday morning when the kids return from winter break,” said Gina Gentry-Fletcher, spokeswoman for the Fairfield City School District. “We will have guidance counselors available for students that need that additional help.”
Staff at the group home called for an ambulance around 11:30 p.m. Dec. 19 to report an unresponsive boy. The call came three hours after he had been assaulted, according to Fairfield Twp. police.
Between 7:30 and 8 p.m., the 17-year-old allegedly punched the victim, throwing him to the ground — where he landed on his head — and then repeatedly punched him in the head, said Fairfield Twp. Police Chief Richard St. John, who said the assault occurred during a dispute over a flashlight each boy claimed was his.
Kathy Parker, mother of Anthony Parker, said Thursday via her Facebook page, “Thank you for everyone’s concern at this time of my loss and my family’s and thank you for the prayers as we grieve.”
Patricia Jacobs, director of Warren County Children Services, said the teen who is charged has no prior history of violence and had been at One Way Farm since the end of November.
Prior to placement, the teenager was living with his family in Warren County and had no prior involvement with children services, she said. He was the only youth at the facility placed by Warren County Children Services, though the child welfare agency has placed children at One Way Farm over the course of many years, Jacobs said.
The children’s home is nonprofit organization licensed by ODJFS to provide residential care 365 days a year, 24 hours a day to 10 male children between the ages of 6 and 17, or if handicapped, up to age 21, through its Sunrise home at 6141 River Road.
It also has a capacity of 10 female children, ages 6 to 17, or up to 21 for handicapped clients, through its New Dawn home at 6145 River Road on its campus, documents show.
The agency has full certification through Dec. 29, 2012.
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http://www.journal-news.com/news/crime/ ... 05326.html (http://www.journal-news.com/news/crime/more-charges-may-come-after-teen-death-from-beating-1305326.html)
More charges may come after teen death from beating
By Hannah Poturalski, Staff Writer Updated 12:27 PM Thursday, December 29, 2011
FAIRFIELD TWP. — Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser is considering an upgraded charge against a teen accused in the beating of another teen who died from his injuries.
Anthony Parker, 16, died Wednesday at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center after being in the hospital since Dec. 19, according to Jim Feuer, hospital spokesman.
Parker, a Fairfield High School student, was assaulted Dec. 19 at One Way Farm Children’s Home by another resident, a 17-year-old Warren County boy, who is charged with felony aggravated assault.
At a press conference today, One Way Farm Development Director Jody Canupp said the staff and board of directors are “horrified” at Parker’s death.
Canupp read a letter she received from a One Way Farm contributor, who knew Parker well.
“My heart is broken,” the contributor said in the letter. “Anthony had a huge capacity for love.”
“We will be doing a moment of silence on Monday morning when the kids return from winter break,” said Gina Gentry-Fletcher, spokeswoman for the Fairfield City School District, said guidance counselors will be available for students that need that additional help.
Billy Smith, principal at Fairfield High School, said Anthony was a fan of sports, closely following the Cincinnati Bengals and Cincinnati Reds.
“In class, he really enjoyed participating; he was a pleasure to have in class and he was always willing to do anything he could to help others,” Smith said. “Anthony always smiled and seemed to be happiest when he was able to help others.”
Staff at the group home called for an ambulance around 11:30 p.m. Dec. 19 to report an unresponsive boy. The call came three hours after he had been assaulted, according to Fairfield Twp. police.
During Thursday’s press conference, Canupp said Parker was monitored after the incident, and was walking around and had made a sandwich before being found unresponsive.
Between 7:30 and 8 p.m., the 17-year-old allegedly punched the victim, throwing him to the ground — where he landed on his head — and then repeatedly punched him in the head, said Fairfield Twp. Police Chief Richard St. John, who said the assault occurred during a dispute over a flashlight each boy claimed was his.
Kathy Parker, mother of Anthony Parker, said Thursday via her Facebook page, “Thank you for everyone’s concern at this time of my loss and my family’s and thank you for the prayers as we grieve.”
Patricia Jacobs, director of Warren County Children Services, said the teen who is charged has no prior history of violence and had been at One Way Farm since the end of November.
Prior to placement, the teenager was living with his family in Warren County and had no prior involvement with children services, she said. He was the only youth at the facility placed by Warren County Children Services, though the child welfare agency has placed children at One Way Farm over the course of many years, Jacobs said.
Ten children have been removed from the home and have been temporarily placed elsewhere, which is a standard protocol, Canupp said. Eight children are still at One Way Farm.
Officials with the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services said an investigation by the agency will begin when police conclude their investigation.
The children’s home is a nonprofit organization licensed by Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services to provide residential care 365 days a year, 24 hours a day to 10 male children between the ages of 6 and 17, or if handicapped, up to age 21, through its Sunrise home at 6141 River Road.
It also has a capacity of 10 female children, ages 6 to 17, or up to 21 for handicapped clients, through its New Dawn home at 6145 River Road on its campus, documents show.
Kelsey Cano contributed to this report.
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Teen Charged With Murder In Fatal Group Home Fight
Read more: http://www.wlwt.com/news/30096116/detai ... z1hxdCqDP1 (http://www.wlwt.com/news/30096116/detail.html#ixzz1hxdCqDP1)
Anthony Parker Was On Life Support Following Fight
POSTED: 11:36 am EST December 29, 2011
UPDATED: 4:07 pm EST December 29, 2011
FAIRFIELD, Ohio -- A 17-year-old has been charged with murder after another teenager died following a fight at a Butler County group home.
Anthony Parker, 16, got into a fight over a flashlight with the 17-year-old, who is not being identified, on Dec. 19 at One Way Farm, a group home for abused, troubled and special-needs kids.
"The assailant body-slammed the victim to the floor, basically on his head, and then punched him about the face and head," said Police Chief Richard St. John, describing the fight. "Staff did separate the two, and the victim got up and apparently was conversant and walking normally and the belief was that he was not seriously injured."
Three hours after the fight, Parker was found unresponsive on the floor during a bed check.
"The boy who was hit was walking around and talking normally, right after being struck, so we had no reason to believe there was any serious injury that was involved," said Jodi Canupp, development director at the group home.
He spent more than a week on life support before dying Wednesday afternoon. An autopsy revealed that Parker died as a result of the fight, and the other teen was charged with murder.
"Everyone from our staff to our board has been horrified that something like this occurred,” Cannup said. “We care about these children and youth as our own, as we are all grieving this loss," the statement read.
Cannup defended the actions of the group home's staff, "I am proud of how our staff responded,” Cannup said. “They did not observe anything from their angle that would have suggested serious injury occurred. They (kept) a close eye on him after the scuffle took place."
The attorney representing Parker's family said he feels differently. Eric Deters said he is working to obtain surveillance video of the fight.
"It's my understanding from that video, it was vicious, vicious head trauma that was leveled against Anthony," Deters said. "There were people, staff on duty, that had medical training."
The boy accused of attacking Parker has been moved to the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center after he was initially charged with aggravated assault.
Parker was a student at Fairfield High School. Principal Billy Smith released a statement Thursday saying Parker was a "pleasure to have in class."
Canupp said she was devastated by Parker's death.
"Out of all of the children at One Way Farm, he was the one I was the closest to, and my heart is broken," Canupp said. "He was a wonderful boy with a huge capacity for love, and he seemed to thrive at One Way Farm."
District spokeswoman Gina Gentry-Fletcher said the school will have a moment of silence on Monday when students return to class. There will also be guidance counselors available for students and staff.
Read more: http://www.wlwt.com/news/30096116/detai ... z1hxcxF8gR (http://www.wlwt.com/news/30096116/detail.html#ixzz1hxcxF8gR)
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We are sorry for the fact that the victim list (http://http://wiki.fornits.com/index.php?title=Victims) needed a further update for 2011. I have been informed that there will be an entry on the Today a child died blog (http://http://today-a-child-died.blogspot.com/) on december 28, 2012.
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http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohi ... 05330.html (http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio-news/ohio-teen-charged-with-murder-in-alleged-assault-1305330.html)
Ohio teen charged with murder in alleged assault
By DAN SEWELL, The Associated Press
Updated 4:51 PM Thursday, December 29, 2011
CINCINNATI — A southwest Ohio prosecutor has filed a murder charge against a 17-year-old boy after a youth he is accused of assaulting at a group home died from his injuries.
Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser (guh-MOH'-sur) tells The Associated Press he made the decision Thursday.
An autopsy on 16-year-old Anthony Parker concluded he died from blunt force trauma to his head.
The Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center said Parker died Wednesday night. He had been taken to the hospital Dec. 19.
Fairfield Township police said Parker was body-slammed to the floor and hit his head in a fight with the older boy. Police said the fight was over a flashlight.
The older boy was being held in a juvenile detention center on a charge of aggravated assault.
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http://news.cincinnati.com/article/2011 ... /312300010 (http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20111229/NEWS0107/312300010)
Teen accused of group home killing may face new charge
2:43 PM, Dec. 29, 2011
Fairfield Township police said they plan to consult with the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office to bring new charges against a 17-year-old accused of beating another teen at a group home for troubled youths.
The injured 16-year-old died Wednesday night.
When the incident occurred last week, Fairfield Township Police Chief Richard St. John said a murder charge would not be likely if the teen died. On Thursday, however, he would not say that.
“We’re way, way, way ahead of ourselves,” he said. “We have to talk to the prosecutor’s office and see what all their thought processes are on this whole thing. It’s an extreme shame. It’s unbelievable. A 16-year-old who ends up dead because just basically an act of stupidity, what more can you say about it.”
The 17-year-old was being held on an aggravated assault charge at the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center. His pretrial hearing was set for Jan. 3.
Anthony Parker, 16, died Wednesday evening at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, where he had been placed on life support following an attack last week at the One Way Farm in Fairfield Township.
The 17-year-old, who is much bigger than Parker, slammed his head onto the floor and beat him Dec. 19, police said previously. The boys were fighting over which of them owned a flashlight.
At first, Anthony didn’t seem to be seriously hurt after staff members broke up the fight, police have said, but staff later found that Parker had lost consciousness and had vomited. He was taken to University Hospital and then was transferred to Children’s.
Jody Canupp, development director for One Way Farm, said Parker made a snack and ate a sandwich after the incident.
“The boy who was hurt was walking around and talking normally right after being struck. So we had no reason to believe that there was any serious injury,” she said Thursday.
“The other boy had no history of violence to our knowledge.”
One Way Farm, Canupp said, has cared for more than 9,000 children and troubled youths in its 34 years.
“We have a lot of controls in place to make sure our youth are safe. After all, most are here because they have been deeply wounded as children,” she said.
“Reasonable people, parents, know that this was an event that could have happened anywhere.”
One Way Farm is a state-certified, nonprofit facility that provides temporary or emergency housing for abused, abandoned, neglected or troubled children and teens, many in need of medication, according to its http://www.onewayfarm.org/ (http://www.onewayfarm.org/)" target="_new">website Many teens are sent by children services agencies and by the courts.
The organization also cares for youths with disabilities and developmental disabilities. It has been in operation more than 32 years and has served thousands of children. It has a capacity for about 25 juveniles.
One Way Farm is licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which is investigating the death.
Jennifer Edwards Baker contributed to this story
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http://news.cincinnati.com/article/2011 ... CFRONTPAGE (http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20111229/NEWS0107/111229032/Teen-accused-murder-fatal-group-home-fight?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE)
Teen accused of murder in fatal group home beating
6:03 PM, Dec. 29, 2011
FAIRFIELD TWP. -- Murder – that’s what a 17-year-old is accused of, following the death of a 16-year-old boy who was beaten at a group home, police announced Thursday afternoon.
Lance Tiernan, who was arrested on the night of the assault at the One Way Farm, was originally charged with assault but now will face a murder charge, police said.
The decision to upgrade the charge came after the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office determined that Anthony Parker’s death on Wednesday night happened “as a result of the injuries sustained in the assault,” a news release said.
Anthony was on life support until he died at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. His friends have created a Facebook page in his memory.
Lance was being held in the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center.
The 17-year-old, who is much bigger than Anthony, slammed his head onto the floor and beat him Dec. 19, police said previously.
At first, Anthony didn’t seem to be seriously hurt after staff members broke up the fight, police have said, but staff later found that Parker had lost consciousness and had vomited. He was taken to University Hospital and then was transferred to Children’s.
Jody Canupp, development director for One Way Farm, said Anthony made a snack and ate a sandwich after the incident.
“The boy who was hurt was walking around and talking normally right after being struck. So we had no reason to believe that there was any serious injury,” she said Thursday. “The other boy had no history of violence to our knowledge.”
One Way Farm, Canupp said, has cared for more than 9,000 children and troubled youths in its 34 years.
“We have a lot of controls in place to make sure our youth are safe. After all, most are here because they have been deeply wounded as children,” she said. “Reasonable people, parents, know that this was an event that could have happened anywhere.”
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office explained that Lance is charged under a section of law known as “felony murder,” and, in this instance, “causing the death of another resulting from a felonious assault.”
Anthony died from “blunt force trauma to the head,” the prosecutor’s office said.
Also, the prosecutor’s office said, “the injury and death resulted from an attack against Anthony Parker and not a fight between them.”
Police had earlier told reporters that the boys had fought over who had owned a flashlight.
One Way Farm is a state-certified, nonprofit facility that provides temporary or emergency housing for abused, abandoned, neglected or troubled children and teens, many in need of medication, according to its website. Many teens are sent by children services agencies and by the courts.
The organization also cares for youths with disabilities and developmental disabilities. It has been in operation more than 32 years and has served thousands of children. It has a capacity for about 25 juveniles.
One Way Farm is licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which is investigating the death.
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facebook page mentioned in article above:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/prayforanthonyparker/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/prayforanthonyparker/)
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Looks like the term "One Way Home" just took on a new meaning.
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From the above article (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=38371&start=30#p410273) posted by wdtony:
Teen beaten at Butler Co. group home dies
11:17 PM, Dec. 28, 2011
The teen who was beaten at a Butler County group home for troubled youths has died, officials said, and a second teen could face upgraded charges as a result.
Anthony Parker, 16, died Wednesday evening at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, where he had been placed on life support following an attack last week at the One Way Farm in Fairfield Township...[/list][/size]
Well, this has, indeed, ended very badly. Actually, it has not ended yet; not by a long shot.
A week prior to the above noted publication date, there were a number of news reports that Anthony Parker, then not yet identified, had, in fact, died. Some of those reports were then subsequently retracted within a day or two.
At the time, I hoped against the odds, but it was clear that the injuries were quite extreme. To my knowledge, as the days went by, no articles reported any improvement in Parker's medical condition.
So sad.
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We will likely never know, but it'd be interesting to learn why Anthony was there in the first place. I don't remember reading anything about him having a problematic past. In fact, the comments from an earlier article says: “Anthony had a huge capacity for love.” and Billy Smith, principal at Fairfield High School, said Anthony was a fan of sports, closely following the Cincinnati Bengals and Cincinnati Reds.
“In class, he really enjoyed participating; he was a pleasure to have in class and he was always willing to do anything he could to help others,” Smith said. “Anthony always smiled and seemed to be happiest when he was able to help others.”
We know he had a mother and family: Kathy Parker, mother of Anthony Parker, said Thursday via her Facebook page, “Thank you for everyone’s concern at this time of my loss and my family’s and thank you for the prayers as we grieve.”
Maybe he had gotten in some trouble or maybe there was trouble at home, but unfortunately someone made the decision to remove him from his home and we all know the tragic result of that.
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Teen charged with murder has history with juvenile courts
By Kelsey Cano, Staff Writer 10:40 PM Friday, December 30, 2011
FAIRFIELD TWP. — The teenager charged this week in the beating death of another teen at One Way Farm Children’s Home has a record in the Warren County Juvenile Court system.
Lance Tiernan, 17, of Lebanon, was charged with chronic truancy on Sept. 26. He admitted to the charge, was placed on a GPS monitoring device and ordered to attend Lebanon City Schools with no absences, court records show.
On Nov. 23, his guardian filed an unruly charge on him and said he was a runaway and had been gone since Oct. 17.
Tiernan, who was charged Thursday with murder in connection with Anthony Parker’s death, had no apparent prior history of violence, according to Warren County Children Services, which placed the teen at One Way Farm in late November.
He will be tried as an adult, said Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser, who said Parker’s death was a result of a “brutal unjustified felony assault.”
Parker, a 16-year-old Fairfield High School student, died Wednesday night at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, where he had been on life support since the Dec. 19 assault.
An autopsy performed Thursday confirmed the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, Gmoser said.
The charges against Tiernan were upgraded Thursday. Originally charged with felony aggravated assault, he has been held in the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center since Dec. 19.
On Dec. 19, One Way Farm staff called for an ambulance around 11:30 p.m. when Parker was found in his room unresponsive and on the floor during a bed check, according to Fairfield Twp. police. The call came three hours after he was assaulted.
Between 7:30 and 8 p.m., Tiernan, who at 6 feet, 5 inches and 215 pounds was 70 pounds heavier and 8 inches taller than Parker, allegedly slammed Parker to the ground. Fairfield Twp. Police Chief Richard St. John said Parker landed on his head, and that Tiernan then allegedly repeatedly struck the younger teen in his head. The chief said the incident may have been sparked over a dispute over a flashlight each teen claimed was his.
Canupp said an ambulance wasn’t called sooner because Parker did not seem in need of medical attention and had even made a sandwich after the incident.
“The boy who was hit was walking around and talking normally right after being struck, so we had no reason to believe there was any serious injury involved,” she said. “I am proud of how our staff responded. They did not observe anything from their angle that would have suggested serious injury occurred.”
One Way Farm is a nonprofit organization licensed to provide residential care 365 days a year, 24 hours a day to 10 male children between the ages of 6 and 17, or if handicapped, up to age 21, through its Sunrise home at 6141 River Road. It also has a capacity of 10 female children, ages 6 to 17, or up to 21 for handicapped clients, through its New Dawn home at 6145 River Road on its campus, documents show. The agency has full certification through Dec. 29, 2012.
Staff Writer Hannah Poturalski contributed to this report.
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From the just above article (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=38371&p=410438#p410417), with link to source added, and emphasis added:
Teen charged with murder has history with juvenile courts (http://http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/teen-charged-with-murder-has-history-with-juvenile-courts-1306016.html)[/list]
By Kelsey Cano, Staff Writer 10:40 PM Friday, December 30, 2011
FAIRFIELD TWP. — The teenager charged this week in the beating death of another teen at One Way Farm Children's Home has a record in the Warren County Juvenile Court system.
Lance Tiernan, 17, of Lebanon, was
charged with chronic truancy on Sept. 26. He admitted to the charge, was placed on a GPS monitoring device and ordered to attend Lebanon City Schools with no absences, court records show.
On Nov. 23, his guardian filed an unruly charge on him and said he was a runaway and had been gone since Oct. 17.
Tiernan, who was charged Thursday with murder in connection with Anthony Parker’s death, had no apparent prior history of violence, according to Warren County Children Services, which placed the teen at One Way Farm in late November...[/list][/size]
Something really doesn't add up here. Truancy and running away are considered status offenses (http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Status_offense), namely, they are actions that would not be considered against the law were they committed by an adult.
Teenage status offenses are essentially non-violent; typical examples include consumption of alcohol, tobacco smoking, truancy, and running away from home. In fact, their inherent nature could easily be described as being actions of avoidance and/or rebellion. Even chronic status offenders don't usually progress to the kind of violence which results in murder charges, let alone via an altercation over the ownership of a flashlight.
There may be some information missing here with regard to Lance Tiernan's recent history. Why was he always running away? Did he witness violence in his family and home life growing up? Did someone recently try to commit or actually succeed in committing some act of violence against him? Did Warren County Children Services try to "correct" Tiernan's seemingly non-compliant nature via a recently introduced medication regimen? Or, was he on meds previously, and recently taken off of them by One Way Farm or others?
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From the just above article (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=38371&p=410438#p410417), with link to source added, and emphasis added:
Teen charged with murder has history with juvenile courts (http://http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/teen-charged-with-murder-has-history-with-juvenile-courts-1306016.html)[/list]
By Kelsey Cano, Staff Writer 10:40 PM Friday, December 30, 2011
FAIRFIELD TWP. — The teenager charged this week in the beating death of another teen at One Way Farm Children's Home has a record in the Warren County Juvenile Court system.
Lance Tiernan, 17, of Lebanon, was
charged with chronic truancy on Sept. 26. He admitted to the charge, was placed on a GPS monitoring device and ordered to attend Lebanon City Schools with no absences, court records show.
On Nov. 23, his guardian filed an unruly charge on him and said he was a runaway and had been gone since Oct. 17.
Tiernan, who was charged Thursday with murder in connection with Anthony Parker’s death, had no apparent prior history of violence, according to Warren County Children Services, which placed the teen at One Way Farm in late November...[/list][/size]
Something really doesn't add up here. Truancy and running away are considered status offenses (http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Status_offense), namely, they are actions that would not be considered against the law were they committed by an adult.
Teenage status offenses are essentially non-violent; typical examples include consumption of alcohol, tobacco smoking, truancy, and running away from home. In fact, their inherent nature could easily be described as being actions of avoidance and/or rebellion. Even chronic status offenders don't usually progress to the kind of violence which results in murder charges, let alone via an altercation over the ownership of a flashlight.
There may be some information missing here with regard to Lance Tiernan's recent history. Why was he always running away? Did he witness violence in his family and home life growing up? Did someone recently try to commit or actually succeed in committing some act of violence against him? Did Warren County Children Services try to "correct" Tiernan's seemingly non-compliant nature via a recently introduced medication regimen? Or, was he on meds previously, and recently taken off of them by One Way Farm or others?
That is what always bothers me, the lack of important details. This reminds me of my friend from KHK who is in prison for murder. The media reports all about his life with exception to the genesis of his mental illness that started within the walls of KHK. His name is Sean Noakes and you can google him. He killed woman in Florence, KY a couple years ago.
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http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/day ... 06544.html (http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/teen-to-be-arraigned-in-fatal-beating-at-one-way-farm-1306544.html)
Teen to be arraigned in fatal beating at One Way Farm
Lance Tiernan, 17, will go before a judge today.
By Hannah Poturalski, Staff Writer 8:24 PM Sunday, January 1, 2012
HAMILTON — A 17-year-old will be arraigned today on a murder charge in the death of 16-year-old Anthony Parker following a beating at the One Way Farm Children’s Home in Fairfield Twp.
Lance Tiernan, 17, a former Lebanon High School student, is accused of assaulting Parker on the evening of Dec. 19 at the group home where both teens were residents.
Parker died from his injuries Wednesday night after more than a week on life support at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. A Dec. 29 autopsy determined his cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, according to Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser.
Tiernan has been held in the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center since his Dec. 19 arrest on a felony aggravated assault charge.
After today’s arraignment and pretrial conference, Gmoser said a probable cause hearing will be set for about 10 days later. At the next hearing, Gmoser said Juvenile Judge Ronald R. Craft will decide if there’s enough evidence for an automatic bindover to Butler County Common Pleas Court.
“We have a lot of eyes looking at these things as it moves through,” Gmoser said.
Gmoser said if convicted, a felony murder charge carries a mandatory 15 years to life in prison with a $15,000 fine.
Gmoser said while it’s not rare, it is unusual for teens to be charged with murder.
The last case in Butler County was in 2008, when Amber Rodriguez was sentenced to 31 years in prison for her conviction on an aggravated murder charge for a homicide at a West Chester Twp. motel. She was 16 at the time of the crime.
Tiernan had been placed at One Way From by Warren County Children Services in late November, said Patricia Jacobs, director of Warren County Children Services. Tiernan had no prior criminal history of violence, but had been found delinquent due to chronic truancy in September and his family filed an unruly charge against him in October because he allegedly was a runaway, gone since Oct. 15, according to Warren County Juvenile Court records.
The beating victim was a Fairfield High School student who never regained consciousness after he was found unresponsive on the floor during a routine bed check more than three hours after the assault, police said.
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http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/ar ... munities|s (http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20120103/NEWS010702/120103006/Teen-home-murder-suspect-court-today?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|communities|s)
Teen murder suspect in court today
Lance Tiernan, 17, accused of killing another resident at group home
HAMILTON- A 17-year-old accused of murdering a 16-year-old boy at a group home for trouble teenagers will make his first appearance on the case before a Butler County juvenile judge Tuesday.
Lance Tiernan is scheduled for a 2 p.m. arraignment at the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center in Hamilton.
Tiernan was arrested on the night of the Dec. 19 assault at the One Way Farm in Fairfield Township and has been held at the detention center ever since.
Now he faces the upgraded murder charge after the victim, Anthony Parker, died last week. Due to the seriousness of that offense, he is expected to eventually be tried as an adult.
Tiernan, who is much bigger than Parker, slammed Parker's head onto the floor and beat him during a fight over a flashlight, Fairfield Township police have said.
At first, Parker didn’t seem to be seriously hurt once staff members broke up the fight, according to police.
But staff later found that Parker had lost consciousness in his room and had vomited.
He was taken to University Hospital and then was transferred to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Parker was on life support until he died Dec. 28 of blunt force trauma to his head.
One Way Farm has cared for more than 9,000 troubled teens and youth in its 34 years.
The state-certified, nonprofit facility provides temporary or emergency housing for abused, abandoned, neglected or troubled children and teens, many in need of medication, according to its website.
Many teens are sent by children services agencies and by the courts.
The organization also cares for youths with disabilities and developmental disabilities. It has been in operation more than 32 years and has served thousands of children. It has a capacity for about 25 juveniles.
One Way Farm is licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which is investigating the death.
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http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/ar ... nav%7Chead (http://communitypress.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20120103/NEWS/301030170/Prosecutors-seek-adult-court-trial-teen-suspect?odyssey=nav%7Chead)
Prosecutors seek adult court trial for teen suspect
5:06 PM, Jan. 3, 2012
HAMILTON — Butler County prosecutors want to try Lance Tiernan as an adult in the beating death of a fellow resident at the One Way Farm group home in Fairfield Township.
Lance, 17, made his first appearance in Butler County Juvenile Court Tuesday on an upgraded charge of murder in the death of Anthony Parker.
Prosecutor Michael Gmoser elevated an aggravated assault charge to murder last week after Anthony, a 16-year-old former Fairfield High School sophomore, was taken off life support at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and died.
Tiernan, a tall and lanky teen, sat shackled with his hands placed palm-down on the table in front of him as his attorney, Dawn Garrett, waived arraignment on the murder charge. The waiver essentially means that he has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The aggravated assault charge was dropped Tuesday.
If convicted in adult court, Tiernan faces 15 years to life in prison.
A probable cause hearing — the first step in sending the case to a grand jury for adult prosecution — is set for Feb. 9. Prosecutors will present evidence to support the murder charge.
If Juvenile Judge Ronald Craft rules it exists, the case by law will be automatically sent to adult court because of the severity of the charge, Gmoser said.
Anthony died on Dec. 28, nine days after authorities said Lance attacked him and threw him on his head. Officials at One Way Farm said previously that Anthony did not show any signs of being hurt but that they later found him unconscious.
Anthony died of blunt force trauma to the head, according to Gmoser.
The incident is under investigation by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services which licenses One Way Farm.
The 34-year-old nonprofit facility provides temporary or emergency housing for abused, abandoned, neglected or troubled children and teens. Many teens are sent by children services agencies and by the courts.
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Possible online personal sites for murder suspect Lance Tiernan.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/biglanceT (http://twitter.com/#!/biglanceT)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Lance-Tiernan/1493792698 (http://www.facebook.com/people/Lance-Tiernan/1493792698)
Formspring: http://www.formspring.me/LanceTiernan (http://www.formspring.me/LanceTiernan)
The suspect Lance Tiernan was placed at One Way Farm at the end of November. The last twitter post was on November 21, and both the Twitter and Facebook page make reference to Cincinnati. He also identifies himself as BiglanceT on the Twitter page. This information is suggestive, but not conclusive proof that this is indeed the suspect, but I don't want to associate the wrong person with this horrible crime so I would appreciate others opinions as to whether I should remove the above links.
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I don't think it would hurt to leave it up for now.
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This article has a lot of interesting comments, I'll put them in a separate post.
http://www.local12.com/mostpopular/stor ... fo2xQ.cspx (http://www.local12.com/mostpopular/story/Teen-Dies-From-Injuries-in-Assault-at-Group-Home/nx2x9B4zq0WUrRR4pfo2xQ.cspx)
Teen Dies From Injuries in Assault at Group Home
Published: 12/21/2011 3:25 pm
Updated: 12/28/2011 10:18 pm
A teen has died from his injuries received in an assault at a Fairfield group home.
About 11:30 p.m. December 19th, medics with the city of Fairfield were called to One Way Farm, a group home there. They were responding to a report of a juvenile male that had been assaulted.
Initially, it did not appear the victim, Anthony Parker, was very seriously injured. But later he was found to be unresponsive. Parker had since been at Children's Hospital where he passed away Wednesday night.
Fairfield Police say 17-year old Lance Tiernan has been arrested. He's accused of throwing the victim to the ground, laying on top of him and punching him repeatedly in the head. He has been charged with aggravated assault. No word yet from police on any new charges.
Stay with Local12 as we update this story.
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Comments:
http://www.local12.com/mostpopular/stor ... p=Comments (http://www.local12.com/mostpopular/story/Teen-Dies-From-Injuries-in-Assault-at-Group-Home/nx2x9B4zq0WUrRR4pfo2xQ.cspx?p=Comments)
Amizzly - 7:58 AM
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And inciting violence means that PARKER started the fight. Not necessarily threw the first punch, but he definitely started the fight if Lance was charged with aggravated assault. If he hadn't, there would have been another form of assault charged.
Amizzly - 7:56 AM
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Is anyone paying attention to the fact that originally Lance was charged with aggravated assault? Aggravated Assault is defined as assault after serious provocation, or reasonable provacation to incite deadly force. Here is the official law in the ORC. (A) No person, while under the influence of sudden passion or in a sudden fit of rage, either of which is brought on by serious provocation occasioned by the victim that is reasonably sufficient to incite the person into using deadly force, shall knowingly: (1) Cause serious physical harm to another or to another’s unborn; (2) Cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another or to another’s unborn by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance, as defined in section 2923.11 of the Revised Code. This means that the victim here would have had to SERIOUSLY PROVOKE Lance. TO THE POINT OF USING DEADLY FORCE. I'm tired of people acting like Lance attacked him out of no where. And stop saying it wasn't a fight. read the official police report. Just because someone dies doesn't make them innocent. Parker would have most likely been found guilty of inciting violence as well. The murder charge is ridiculous. I look for this to be plea bargained down to some form of manslaughter.
concerned - 1/3/2012 7:33 PM
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First off I do want to let Parkers family know that I do sympathize with them. I know how hard it is to lose a loved one. God Bless you. Secondly I want to say that I personally know Lance and I would like to say that the Lance I know was a Bashful, caring, sweet young man. He has not been a troublemaker. He has led a very unfortunate life. He was placed in the One Way Farm because of lack for a better placement on short notice. Lance did get placed in foster care but not because of his doing. But instead for lack of respectable parents. Lance was placed in the care of a family member, his Aunt, The "Aunt" was no better. Lance did runaway from her home. But The "Aunt" was a verbally and emotionally abusive person. LLance was not the only child that ran away from her home. Lance was a good student who was involved in sports. But when your parents have neglected you and you have been placed with another family member who mistreats you and lets you know on a daily basis what a burden you are to her, and how how you are despised, does this make you a bad person for leaving this situation? I know that Lance should not have gotten into a fight with Parker, but who really knows the events leading up to this event? And as for the workers at the home go, I personally know that protocol was not followed. If they had done what they were supposed to do, this could have changed the outcome of many lives. I think that the home should be investigated.
MasterZach94 - 1/3/2012 6:46 PM
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Lance was in my economics class until about 2-3 months ago he ran away, he didn't seem like a violent at the time.
indiansunshine - 1/3/2012 5:56 PM
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i am here to say that brodyman was not present when this happened it is fine to post your comments. but when you put blame on something that you dont know about is ridiculous-the news the news papers only tell half truths. when this all goes public and the truth is told then you can agree or disagree on the matter but until then god bless anthony and his grandparents
indiansunshine - 1/3/2012 5:51 PM
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rip
brodyman15 - 12/31/2011 7:42 PM
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cincinnaus- im glad you are starting to see a little of were im coming from and from me being in the foster care system myself when i was younger i do know the steps they are supose to take with these kinds of situations, now ive have never seen one like this but with any type of head enjury they did not follow what they were supose to do. and i also want to say agin i do think that the 17 year old should be in trouble i truly do, but people also have to remember that there is in fact a whole lot more to the story. i do not think that 17 year old should be charged with murder because if the proper procausions were followed a lot of this could have been prevented so with that being said the group home should have consequences for this and it should be a harsh one because im sure none of you want to see some thing like this happen agin because i sure dont.
veryupset - 12/31/2011 5:17 PM
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People...come on...MURDER is wanting someone to die...the 17 year old didn't plan on the other boy dying..he didn't wake uo that morning and decide to fight this boy to the point of death...it's a terrible tragedy that could have been prevented or even stopped.....if this story was the other way around how would you all feel then....just think about it...
veryupset - 12/31/2011 5:13 PM
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owftruth- i'm glad you are not posting on here anymore. You have contradicted most of what you posted. i don't think you know your butt from a whole in the ground anyway. You obviously work there so you should be in trouble too. You said you worked there or was that a lie too.
owftruth - 12/31/2011 2:02 PM
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I stand behind all my comments regarding this and out of respect for the families I will no longer be posting on here.
owftruth - 12/31/2011 12:30 PM
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That was not me that said that.
veryupset - 12/31/2011 11:07 AM
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owftruth-get ALL your facts before you post, molly20- i DO know you and ive not made any IGNORANT statements on here, if anyone has made ignorant statements on here it's you and that stupid one that said she would beat you up and that stupid owftruth person. You all need to get over yourselves.Let the people who are involved deal with all this and everyone else needs to stay out of it.
Cincinnatus - 12/31/2011 9:33 AM
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brody: Well, I do agree the staff failed to take the proper steps. They keep making the excuse, "He was walking around." That's how concussive head injuries are. It takes time for the bleeding in the brain to cause the swelling that causes the coma, and/or death. I think they should have known that and they should have a policy to treat all high impact head injuries to an ER trip. And, hey, I don't consider you rude for airing your side of this.
brodyman15 - 12/31/2011 7:07 AM
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the staff members were... neither of the boys were perfect.. and im sure each of them have or had a story of why they were there... what the 17 year old did was wrong very wrong but he did not mean for it to go that far at all... but i also feel if the staff members had really done there jobs to the fullest a lot of this could have been prevented... and as for the news and for the articles i dont know if you knew this or not but just anyone can call or email either of them and say that there so and so and they will post it or air it and its hard to believe the interviews because they cut so much out of it they never say the full truth... and sorry not using all the right spelling my key bord is going out guess that means i need a new one
brodyman15 - 12/31/2011 6:36 AM
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look cncinnatus im realy not tring to be rude to you at all im just try to explain that judges, lawys and both countys are going to look at this situation every which way and every which way adds up to both of the boys were children.. ok.. at te same group home ... the adults at the group home are paid to look after the safty of all of these children right... and there were plenty of staff members working at the time of this that when the fight began verbally it could have been stopped but as the video shows there werent staff members around like there should have been and were they were and what they where doing we do not know but basicly they ignored it ... but then it esclated in to a phisical fight.... after the fight the boys got seperated and that was it... see what they were supose to do was call 911 for both boys (and no it dose not have to be a supervisor to do that one of the staff members could of but they didnt and theres a reason why they didnt but that reason should only be discussed in court) then they are supose to call both countys (and for those of you that dont know every county and agency has a emergency contact line and this fight was considered an emergency because of the fact that the 16 year old hit his head on a hard ground) then after that they are supose to document what happen... now did any of those things happen right after this happen? no it did not ( and every foster parent and every group home should know this and is considered proper procger).... and even a doctor from childrens hospital was on the news the other night and said that if the 16 year old had been rushed to the hospital sooner that odds are the 16 year old would still be here... so there for the group home did not do there jobs at and now a few of the staff members from there are commenting on here to try and make them selfs sound better and to make the 17 year old sound worse for there benifit... but really who was supose to be responsible for these children??...
Cincinnatus - 12/30/2011 10:07 PM
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brody: Are you saying the Butler County Prosecutor's office is lying about the murder charge? Or are you saying the news is lying about the prosecutor's office's words? ....because the Enquirer article says the Prosecutor's office is calling this a felony murder. (Legal beagles, please check ORC 2152.11, and keep in mind the 17 yr old is still considered a juvenile.)
brodyman15 - 12/30/2011 6:55 PM
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As of right now no the 17 year old is not charged with murder so dont believe every thing you see and hear on tv or in articles.. there are a lot of facts in this situation that lots of people dont know and lots that the news dosent know either... and i found out today yes there is an investogation going on, on one way farm and all the staff members that worked there. so owftruth i agree with dazed you should really watch what you say.
dazed - 12/30/2011 5:39 PM
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cincinnatus- LOL. thats funny, but true. owftruth- your 7:03 comment- i think id watch what you type about people. theres a little thing called libel and you made some serious allegations, and even mentioned their name. just sayin.
Cincinnatus - 12/30/2011 4:06 PM
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blue collar: I agree, but I suspect many of the commentators are teenage friends of the victim or the perp. Of course teens should also have a good command of English but this is Cincinnati. u feel me dawg it is what it is how u gonna perp stuff that hurt they lil self s steam
blue collar - 12/30/2011 1:59 PM
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Please posters, use punctuation like periods and commas and such. Also, please start your sentences with capital letters. It makes it much easier to read your posts and understand what you are trying to say.
Cincinnatus - 12/30/2011 9:53 AM
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It's murder according to a more recent article. http://www.local12.com/news/local/story ... mQWWg.cspx (http://www.local12.com/news/local/story/Murder-Charge-Filed-In-Group-Home-Beating/mIDANsrmL0u-I95sdmQWWg.cspx) I will paste my comment from there to a friend of the victim. ***** gaga: I am sorry for your loss of Anthony. May God rest his soul. I too am glad the 17 yr old is being charged with murder. Again, it does not matter how "good" he was until he flipped out and beat Anthony to death. ...and yes, I say "to death" because the beating caused the death.
navrat - 12/30/2011 7:34 AM
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Looks like manslaughter to me.
brodyman15 - 12/29/2011 11:15 PM
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Steve9306- yes the 17 year old was provoked owftruth is just trying to save her own ass because she worked there yes there is a video and he did not show off in that video yet another lie that owftruth has said i swear she is lying up a storm on here.... yes only one news channel has given out the 17 year olds name but regardless of that what you signed was a legal agreement and yes you are giving out more information than what the news has said so yes i hope you personally get introuble for that and yes these comments will show up in court you are just digging your self a bigger hole and if anyone is blamming others its you to try and get your self out of it... angie500- yes there will be a lawsuit on one way farm and there staff members from both parties thats for sure... i guess the workers dont have a good enough answer of were they where and why they didnt call 911 sooner they must of had a bunch of idiots working there... owftruth- oviously most of you statments are not true all i hear from you is lie after lie ... ok so if he had been introuble befor WHICH HE HASNT... since you think you know all the facts WHICH YOU DONT... what did the 17 year old get introuble for hhhhmmmm? he is a good kid... no the fact of the matter is all the staff members that were there the director and the supervisors should and WILL be in some sort of trouble for this
molly20 - 12/29/2011 10:47 PM
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lovemykids- wow u honestly said you would beat me up??? your the weirdest and funniest person ever! here we are talking about a violent death and your talking about beating me up? your sick and it would never happen
molly20 - 12/29/2011 10:45 PM
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veryupset- you claim you know me but you must not know me very well if that was the case you wouldnt have made this ignorant comment you have made on here at all!!!
owftruth - 12/29/2011 7:03 PM
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I know for a fact he was involved in something.. like I said you dont get probation officers and ankle monitors from being a good kid....the fact of the matter is the director has dropped the ball for not monitoring who her daughter let in the home and for not having her daughter and the other supervisor follow the correct procedures when fights do happen too many times the fights there are ignored many assults have happen to staff and residents and the supervisors refused to take action...bottom line is everyone is quick to point fingers at the staff on duty when in reality it was the director and her supervisor that refused to give him medical care right away not the child care workers they broke this up within seconds of it happening according to video evidence...the charges have been upgraded but I feel the director and supervisors should be charged with something as well or atleast not be able to be incharge of kids in the future this could have been avoided if as I said before the director, her daughter and her room mate who are supervisors would have been more concerned with the safety of the residents and staff than with making money and taking donations...if people knew where there money and items donated really went Barb Condo would not be looked upon as such a great person.
veryupset - 12/29/2011 6:46 PM
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owftruth- i wish you would find some facts to what you are saying and if you really feel that he has been in trouble before(you obviously think you know more than his family and are smarter than them)why don't you find out the whole story on Lance before you start saying stuff.
angie500 - 12/29/2011 5:58 PM
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I see a lawsuit coming , my question is where were the workers, and how come it took so long for the group house to call 911. My prayer goes out to this young man family.
firecaptain - 12/29/2011 5:06 PM
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(A) No person, while under the influence of sudden passion or in a sudden fit of rage, either of which is brought on by serious provocation occasioned by the victim that is reasonably sufficient to incite the person into using deadly force, shall knowingly: (1) Cause serious physical harm to another or to another’s unborn; (2) Cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another or to another’s unborn by means of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance, as defined in section 2923.11 of the Revised Code. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of aggravated assault. Except as otherwise provided in this division, aggravated assault is a felony of the fourth degree. If the victim of the offense is a peace officer or an investigator of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation, aggravated assault is a felony of the third degree. Regardless of whether the offense is a felony of the third or fourth degree under this division, if the offender also is convicted of or pleads guilty to a specification as described in section 2941.1423 of the Revised Code that was included in the indictment, count in the indictment, or information charging the offense, except as otherwise provided in this division, the court shall sentence the offender to a mandatory prison term as provided in division (B)(8) of section 2929.14 of the Revised Code. If the victim of the offense is a peace officer or an investigator of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation, and if the victim suffered serious physical harm as a result of the commission of the offense, aggravated assault is a felony of the third degree, and the court, pursuant to division (F) of section 2929.13 of the Revised Code, shall impose as a mandatory prison term one of the prison terms prescribed for a felony of the third degree. (C) As used in this section: (1) “Investigator of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation” has the same meaning as in section 2903.11 of the Revised
Cincinnatus - 12/29/2011 4:03 PM
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steve: Thanks for the correction. I had used the term "murder" too loosely to describe all acts of homicide, but I realize the ORC codifies it more specifically. As for the ag assault, I'm thinking maybe it is just something to hold him while they wait for the grand jury determination.
owftruth - 12/29/2011 3:50 PM
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The victim was not inciting anything there is a video to show the whole situation from start to finish the 17 yr old attacked him as he was sitting on the floor to show off for others in the house. The news has already released both names so it doesn't matter what I say now. Last time I checked "good" kids who are upstanding citizens are not put into group homes on ankle monitoring bracelets and do not have probation officers so at some point in his life Lance must have ran into some trouble but Im sure that what ever lead up to that was someone elses fault as well...
steve9306 - 12/29/2011 3:24 PM
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Cincinnatus, When someone is charged with aggravated assault in Ohio it is typically the result of someone inciting you to the point of rage, and typcially when someone is charged with aggravated assault the victim in the case is charged with inciting to violence. The two charges go hand in hand and should always be filed together. The interesting part is inciting to violence is a F3, while aggravated assault is a F4. I have no idea what happened in this case but what I have always found odd was the charge of aggravated assault when the victim was on life support, it made no sense. Why not felonious assault which is an F2? My first thought was that the news media was reporting the wrong charge, which is common. If the people on this site are telling the truth and this youth was somehow provoked the charge aggravated assault makes perfect sense. It would also make sense to upgrade the charges to voluntary manslaughter.
veryupset - 12/29/2011 2:25 PM
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hermom-you say this kid is guilty and it's not the first time....i don't know where you get your information from but HE HAS NEVER BEEN INTROUBLE BEFORE NOW...get your facts straight before you start commenting on someone.
veryupset - 12/29/2011 1:13 PM
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lovemykids and owftruth- don't you people think that maybe if he was taken to the hospital a lot sooner things might have gone differently. if the fight happened at 7:30 that night and 911 wasn't called until 11:30 that is a big gap in time. Obviously the 16 year old wasn't watched to closely because most people who have a medical back ground knows that if someone has a head injury or you think they could have a head injury you don't let them go to sleep. i think teh staff should be in some kind of trouble over it.
jenny27 - 12/29/2011 1:09 PM
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it would help alot if you all would go on facebook or something else and do this talk... please you guys, family of both parties are reading this.. I am a very close friend of the child who died, so please, take ur opinions somewhere else, be respectful if not.. im now judging ANYONE, its not my place, just asking that u all please, please take this somewhere else....
veryupset - 12/29/2011 1:07 PM
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easauer- if you don't like it why are you reading them and commenting. have you not heard of freedom of speech.
veryupset - 12/29/2011 1:05 PM
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lovemykids- first of all im sure you have no idea what you are talking about and i dont know where you got your info but until now the 17 year old has NEVER been in trouble and no he has never beaten up his aunt or anyone for that matter...im sorry the other boy has passed away and my heart goes out to his family..but obviously he has trouble of his own and reaons why he was in the gruop home himself...im thinking the 16 year old was in the group home before the 17 year old was...there are 2 sides to every story but now we will only hear 1.
easauer - 12/29/2011 1:01 PM
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I think it's disgusting that all of you are discussing this on a public forum like this. Have some respect and quit talking about it.
brodyman15 - 12/29/2011 12:10 PM
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his dieing aunt?? sorry but you must have some things confused because that is another lie that you are saying. lets see what other lies you have.. trust me you wont beat molly up hahahahaha wow threating looks like you wore your big girl pants today lovemykids way to set an example for your kids looks like some one is being a hipacrit... molly knows what shes talking about..you dont your just making your self look stupid... wow you really dont know what your talking about no lance has never been introuble your giving out false information just to make your self look good, well its not working to well in your favor your just making your self look like an idiot... and see i dont know were you think you got your law degree at but they will get introuble promis!!!
lovemykids - 12/29/2011 11:57 AM
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u know i would say they dont care cause of lance alot has happend to the workers and to one way farm hell they have worked so hard to take care of the kids there ands now there may not be no one way farm now i could be wrong but i seen on the news that thee is no kids left so and lance did this by acttin like a bully at 17 you are old enough to know better and i know folks that have been through more then lance and they have not killed any one or have not been in one way farm or jail and one way farm is for bad kids it is the last for them cause noone can deal with them so lance was there that is enough said
lovemykids - 12/29/2011 11:52 AM
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yes owftruth the workers are very much upset about this and i know that they would of never let him be hurt and not did something bout it and i cant say how i know but i know and they are not in jail they are not going to jail i am sure that they would of went to jail the day it happend if they would of did something wrong when the cops looked at the tape and seen just how well they did when this was going on even the cops have said on tv that they did nothing wrong so
brodyman15 - 12/29/2011 11:51 AM
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lance is manipulative ha ok what youve known him for less than a month and ive known him for 17 years no your wrong he is not manipulative... owftruth i know for a fact also that you have a written agreement saying that you are not allowed to give out those kids information so there for your breaking you legal agreement so trust me these comments will show up in court and i will make sure of that!!
lovemykids - 12/29/2011 11:45 AM
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if the staff was in trouble they would be in jail all ready fools and they are not they did what they are told to do and if they can walk and talk and dont look hurt then they are fine
lovemykids - 12/29/2011 11:41 AM
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brodyman15 look u want the truth noone goes to one way farm in less they are a trouble maker or are not wanted so when his aunt did not want him why did u not take him in cause u could not control him just like his poor aunt that i am sure he beat up and she dont want to tell cause she dont want him in jail but now he was not told on and killed a kid half his size cause he is such a great kid
lovemykids - 12/29/2011 11:33 AM
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and molly u cant blame the workers for what happened lance is to blame he is the one that did this he should of been taught right from wrong and he is a trouble maker if he was not then why was he on a monster and why did his aunt not want him back did he beat up his diein aunt to
owftruth - 12/29/2011 11:27 AM
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child care workers do not have the authority to call police or ambulances this is only done by a supervisor I didn't say I agreed with that decision and I feel it would have prevented this. everyone that's throwing the staff under the bus with all this is in the wrong the people on the front line actually caring for these kids are being affected tremendously by this we dont work there for the glitz glimmer or attention that others get from one way farm we work there because we care about these kids...hell someone has too they are not just a dollar sign or a case number to us. Anthony was close to several staff I have seen them mourn and be emotionally affected by this as well. Brody just needs to take a step towards maturity and see the whole picture...your right there are two sides to every story and Lance is very manipulative in the way he tells his. And the care staff has been doing something right out of almost 9000 kids this is the first incident like this. Policies need be set and followed to prevent this from happening again.
brodyman15 - 12/29/2011 11:23 AM
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cincinnatus cincinnatus cincinnatus no no no u got it all wrong like i said should lance be introuble yes has everyone that really knows all the infomation given all the information out no they havent so there for most of you dont know the who story and probly never will so until u know all the info or at least most of it then you shouldnt even make a comment
Cincinnatus - 12/29/2011 11:17 AM
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brody, brody, brody; you just don't get it. If someone causes the death of another, they can be charged with murder. The injuries to Anthony's head caused his death. With your way of thinking, a guy could shoot someone, and if the ambulance went to the wrong address, you would say the ambulance driver caused the death of the victim by being late. You are making similar excuses for the 17 yr old in this case.
brodyman15 - 12/29/2011 11:15 AM
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ok so you saw what happen to this boy and didnt call 911 yes the staff is in the wrong as is lance oviously the countys didnt think it was stfe for those other children to be there with staff members that have there foot stuck up there butts which i dont blame them... the staff members have not been charged with anything yet and neither has lance... see i know what happen and at 1st u say its over a flash light which it wasnt now you say its over a situation that had nothing to do with him make up your mind and quit changing your story.. lance is no tough guy haha trust me i know him personally and i am the same size as anthoney was and some how he never did ANYTHING like that to me and never tryed to bully a day in his life... like i said we will find out in court and we will watch the staff members get hand cuffed
owftruth - 12/29/2011 11:05 AM
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as its been said the staff on duty was in the middle and had it broke up in a matter of seconds...lance did attack Anthony over a situation that had nothing to do with him he just wanted to look like a tough guy and i guess he got what he wanted...he deserves everything he gets he not only effected Anthony s life and his family but the other children that where removed just days before Christmas from their home and the staff whos not out of a job they have also been taken out of the lives of the children they cared for daily and became close too and countless others I feel no sympathy for him.
brodyman15 - 12/29/2011 11:01 AM
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yes we will find out the truth in court!! trust me those people work at the group home will be introuble too.. it will happen
lovemykids - 12/29/2011 10:44 AM
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the thing is the whole truth will come out in court and the workers did split it up as fast as they can and they are not there just to watch the kids the cook clean do there cloths do paper work and take care of alot of other stuff the truth is there should of been a gaurd there u cant put all these kids that are not good enough to be any where else cause they are all ways in trouble together and not think this is all the workers fault and if they had done someting wrong they would be in jail and they are not and see there was nothing any one can do he would of died if he would of went when it happend or not it is a shame u all are fighting when all the lives that have been changed cause of this both the boys lifes are gone the workers that was there are fallin apart and the familys of them all are going though hell cause they are all upset so if u think u got it bad look at this u fools the folks going though this is sad and hurtin alot of good people and yes lance was not a great kid if he was then he would not of been in the one way farm and neiether was anthany or he would of not been there but he did not deserve to die and lance did not deserve to have his whole life taken either are such a young age and it is noones fauilt really but lances mother and father that did not do anything to stop him from bein such a bully and another thing what happend was he was thrown to the ground and hit one time why do u all keep sayin he was hit alot it was said right on the news by st john that he was only hit one time and i have been in fights where my head was hit and i did not get looked at i was fine and walkin and talking just like him so u all need to look at it and be real this is nooone fault but lance and his mother and father cause they did not raise him right i have 3 boys and if one did what he did i would blame my self for not showing him it is not right to put ur hands on a kid 2492856348956324897 times smaller then u
brodyman15 - 12/29/2011 9:43 AM
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yes i know i know its on video and that video shows a lot more than people know... guilty??? he hasnt even been to court so he is not guilty of anything yet... nor has he every been guilty of anything EVER so i do not know were you get your false information at
hermom - 12/29/2011 9:37 AM
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its all on video, video's do not lie. This kid is guilty and its not the first time either
brodyman15 - 12/29/2011 9:08 AM
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see yet agin putting words in my mouth that i never said... i feel very bad that this happend to anthoney i truly truly do and i also feel bad for his family i would never wish something like this upon someone and there family and i NEVER said that that child had it coming because no child should have it coming... but now whats happend happend and no one can change that... but the fact is that the 17 year old did not beat him to death thats about one of the only thing that the news said right ya they got in to a bad fight should the 17 year old be introuble for that? yes yes he should. but should he be charged with murder? no no he shouldnt because he did not murder that boy. Who should be held responsible you ask? the adults that were supose to be watching these children, cause remember they are children the staff members that work at one way farm they should have broke up the fight right away or should have called the cops right away to get anthoney check out and to have the 17 year old in trouble for what he did but for some reason i do not know what reason because non of them seem to have a reason why they didnt call the cops hhhmmm sounds a little fishy to me.. but what i have been told is that if anthoney had been checked right away he would most likly still be here... so theres oviously some things that no one knows yet and what that is i would like to find out and i plan to. and i know for a fact that most of you do not know the 17 year old personally so you should not be so quick to judge someone based off of what you hear on tv remember not every thing you hear on tv is true
kelli - 12/29/2011 9:04 AM
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This breaks my heart! I adopted Anthony for Christmas and bought everything he asked for on his list and now over something so senseless, he'll never get to see that strangers care and just wanted him to have a normal Christmas with lots of presents! God Bless You and May You Rest In Peace Anthony. Though I never met you, I feel connected.
Cincinnatus - 12/29/2011 8:15 AM
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brody: Good kids don't flip out and beat people to death over arguments, period. It doesn't matter how "good" one is up until they flip out and kill someone. Once they do that, they are a murderer. It is almost as if you believe the victim had this coming to him. Shame on you.
brodyman15 - 12/29/2011 2:49 AM
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look theres no point in arguing with you ignorant people... half of you are morons that think that theres only one side to this story and in all reality there is always 2 sides of every story believe as you please but never do i run my mouth, all that i have said is true rather you believe it or not. a flash light did not start this. everyone that knows that the 17 year old is and was a good kid/person will be there by his side threw it all and there are many many people that will be there... the 17 year old is an out standing kid which i will never think any different of him.. you people must be idiots to really believe that there going to put this child in prison for life talk to a lawyer about this situation and he or she will tell you other wise, come on face it this boy will be out and on with his life in a matter of years
maggie99 - 12/29/2011 12:54 AM
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What a fine upstanding kid Lance is. He murdered a 16 yr old mentally handicaped child who was only trying to hold onto a flashlight that belonged to someone else. Hopefully the justice system will see it that way also and send him to prison for the rest of his life. If he was such a great kid, why was he wearing an ankle monitor?
veryupset - 12/25/2011 10:54 PM
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molly20-i know your cousin and your family very well and I'm not looking at anything the wrong way. i know your cousin isn't a bad person and anyone that knows him is probably so shocked about all this and no one ever expected something like this out of him. it happened and now we have to pray for both him and the boy laying in the hospital. i know you and it's always blame someone else or let's make excuses instead of saying ok this happend he did it let's figure out why and what's going to happen now. stop with the comments and let the people who are involved deal with it..
Cincinnatus - 12/25/2011 9:55 AM
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Amizzly: No one has thrown any stones at the 17 yr old. We haven't judged him. We don't have the mechanism to condemn him. The courts will handle it, and if the 16 yr old dies, the 17 yr old will most likely face a murder charge. I hope he is then tried as an adult. If he is capable of being "provoked" to body slam a smaller kid, then he is a danger to society. It is fairly easy for a bigger kid to win a fight without turning it into a total beat down. Stop defending him. You sound like an enabler.
Amizzly - 12/24/2011 11:27 PM
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But a word of abrogation for the commentators so willing to throw the first stone: Who are you to condemn someone who has done wrong? He deserves to be chastised for his actions, yes, but by the court of law. Castigation out of spite shows a deep insecurity from you all, as well as a deep yearning to be thought of as important. Instead, consider doing the right thing and pray for both parties involved. Let's face it, none of us know the true verity of the case. Obviously we all have points to defend, but in the end it is up to the judge and jury to decide his fate. Cease the tomato throwing please. Any three of us are more than willing to defend him; that will never change. So lets stop arguing and start hoping for nothing but the best for both individuals involved.
Amizzly - 12/24/2011 11:27 PM
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But a word of abrogation for the commentators so willing to throw the first stone: Who are you to condemn someone who has done wrong? He deserves to be chastised for his actions, yes, but by the court of law. Castigation out of spite shows a deep insecurity from you all, as well as a deep yearning to be thought of as important. Instead, consider doing the right thing and pray for both parties involved. Let's face it, none of us know the true verity of the case. Obviously we all have points to defend, but in the end it is up to the judge and jury to decide his fate. Cease the tomato throwing please. Any three of us are more than willing to defend him; that will never change. So lets stop arguing and start hoping for nothing but the best for both individuals involved.
Amizzly - 12/24/2011 11:16 PM
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Brodyman15-,Molly20- Both of you know who I am, and I know who you are. Stop commenting on this page. There's no need with these people. They're just plain people hiding behind a computer screen expressing thoughts they'd never reveal out-loud. We'll have a time to back him up in front of a judge. We all know we're going to stand by him no matter what. So just leave this drama be. None of us need it. I can only hope that in the end, Local 12 will shed light on the truth of the situation in the same manner that they attempted to expose another juicy story for the ratings; with sensationalism and glamour.
brodyman15 - 12/24/2011 3:17 PM
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Cincinnatus- if you truly have any involvment in this situation you will find out how he was provoked in court...if not i guess you just will never know. dazed- you oviously dont get out much at all to think that there going to kill a child like i said you should be ashamed of your self and you truly discussd me. owftruth- o so you were at the shelter at this time and you adults that were there should all lose your jobs cause you oviously werent doing your job so if i were you i wouldnt be so proud to say that i worked there... you guys are a lot to blame for this too because if you would of sent the boy to the hospital odds are he would of been ok but you didnt and that part seems pretty black and white so i also hope that you and your other coworkers get in some sort of trouble for this
owftruth - 12/24/2011 11:11 AM
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Well coming from someone who has seen the video and was at the shelter during this event I worked with both of these boys I assure you my comments are not false I have seen first hand how this situation has affected many peoples lives...its a sad turn of events with a child paying the ultimate price because someone wanted to be a bully and show off by assaulting another human being you can call it what you want but it seems pretty black and white to me.
dazed - 12/24/2011 9:45 AM
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brodyman- where do you live? do you get out much? there are juveniles that will shoot you in the face and not blink an eye. so save your lectures for someone else. bottomline- he DOES have a screw loose.
Cincinnatus - 12/24/2011 8:18 AM
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brodyman: Once again I will ask; How was he provoked? Also how does provocation justify attempted murder? Good people don't flip out even when "provoked". Your friend has a screw loose.
brodyman15 - 12/24/2011 2:46 AM
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owftruth- did i ever say i was in the 17 year olds family? no i did not.. did i ever say that i was in denial yet agin no i did not so there you go assuming things...the 16 year old was not severely mentally challenged so check your facts befor you speak and the fight was not over a flash light so yet agin check your facts.. trust me my foot is not in my mouth and who said that i havent see the security video? cicinninnatus- there is more than one way to provoke someone i guess only a person with more than half a brain would know that right? The 17 year old is a good kid and those that know him which you oviously dont, dont think any different of him. yes provoked.... its funny how a child thats never been in trouble for ANYTHING in his life, a child that has ALWAYS had good grades, and has ALWAYS been helpful to others and listens to what hes told all of a sudden flips for no reason ha over a flash light sorry but that is very hard to believe you should be ashamed of your self you discuss me... dazed- you should also be ashamed of your self wishing death apon others exspecialy a child wow we wont talk about were you belong... did i say being provoked justifies this???? cause i dont remember saying that i did..no
Cincinnatus - 12/23/2011 11:44 PM
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molly: He has a violent history NOW. Prison is where he belongs.
Doomguy - 12/23/2011 5:11 PM
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Glad they enabled comments on articles again. Started to miss the 50 comment trainwrecks.
molly20 - 12/23/2011 3:44 PM
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the 16 year old was 5 foot nine not 5 foot 5 read u guys
molly20 - 12/23/2011 3:42 PM
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And the world and justice system is so stupid so he beat up a kid who is only in the hospital because the damn place sent the 16 year old to bed and said he was okay but yet if he would have been sent straight to the hospital he would be okay so is it the 17 year olds fault that these people did not do their jobs and protect this 16 year old no!!!! i got jumped by a 18 year that was already on house arrest and a girl that was 6 foot one 250 i was 15 at the time and weas 5 foot 5 150 and i got charged with stuff along with them why???? i got jumped and had broken bones in my damn face and they didnt get in any trouble! so yeah the 17 year old just so happened to be bigger than the 16 year old doesnt mean he should be put in prison for beating him up because i was taking to the hospital right away is the only reason why i did not die!!! and you guys dont know the whole story only the 17 year and 16 year old do witnesses never say things the right way they happened especially not this little boys!!!!
molly20 - 12/23/2011 3:36 PM
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veryupset- you guys are not looking at this the right way yes there was a child severlly hurt but for the idiots who dont know the news doesnt always know nor tell evreything that happened!! start looking past the news and actually get the real information. i am praying for my little cousin and the other child i do not want this child to loose his life or my cousin my cousin is not a bad person and has no voilent history of any sort.
Cincinnatus - 12/23/2011 3:23 PM
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Brody: Just how was the 17 yr old "provoked"? With words? If so, let's wait and see how far "yes your honor, I tried to kill him because he said mean things to me." gets him. Only a sadistic monster would keep attacking someone much smaller after he was already knocked down. Maybe he was a good kid before the attack, but not anymore. "provoked"...you should be ashamed for blaming the victim. Road ragers feel they have been "provoked". Wife beaters feel they were "provoked". Drug thugs feel "provoked" when the customer does not pay up.
owftruth - 12/23/2011 2:55 PM
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brodyman, I understand your loyalty to your family and the fact that your in denial is totally normal however the 16 yr old is severely mentally challenged and was trying to his flashlight back from another kid when he was ATTACKED! thats the only way to put it..if your so close to the family maybe you should ask to see the security video then you can come back and take your foot out of your mouth.
brodyman15 - 12/23/2011 1:03 PM
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dazed- i have read my comment a few times and still fully stand by what i said. i do not wish death apon anyone and yes i hope the 16 year old makes it threw.. but you better believe that i will be right there by the 17 year olds side threw all of this.. the 17 year old will not get deathrow so dazed i dont know were you got your law degree at and it sounds like you dont know all the facts so dont comment on something you dont know about.. yes the 17 year old was provoked... owftruth-the truth of the matter is the 17 year old was provoked and the 16 year old was not disabled.. but yes he was half his size but it was stupid of the 16 year old that was only 5 6 to provoke a 17 year that is 6 5.. and cincinnatus- we are defending the 17 year old because he is a good kid and for all of us that have known him for so long know that he would NEVER start a fight exspecialy over a flash light. like i said to all of you i will be right there by the 17 year olds side threw all of this
Cincinnatus - 12/23/2011 11:19 AM
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As for the group home (or whatever it is) staff, if they failed to call paramedics and police it is probably because places like that like to try to handle everything in-house in order to avoid bad publicity that could undermine funding. It's a shameful policy if so. The results are always some sort of tragedy that could have been avoided. Why was a big violent 17 yr old even placed with smaller or younger kids?
Cincinnatus - 12/23/2011 11:13 AM
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There are way too many comments defending the attacker, who may well be eventually charged with murder. A bad childhood is never an excuse to viciously attack someone. Fights are one thing, but if the victim was indeed out-sized by the attacker, a single punch in the nose would do. Body slamming someone on a hard surface and repeatedly punching them in the head is attempted murder. The attacker perhaps could not help his feelings of rage, but he darn sure could control his actions if he wanted to. He is not a zombie is he? No. Trial as an adult, and prison are what he deserves even if the victim does not die.
nerak40 - 12/23/2011 5:41 AM
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This is a home for abused and neglected children. I live right there and seen the cops and paramedics that responded that night. I pray for both of the boys because who really knows the truth? Sometimes it doesn't seem that the kids are monitored that well to me. I'm not blaming anyone this is my observation.
owftruth - 12/23/2011 1:37 AM
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Oh where to begin..first off he was never provoked the truth of the matter is the 17yr old severely attacked a developmentally disable child half his size the kid tried to get away and was body slammed and he tried to kick him in the head when he was already down..does this really sound like someone without intent to do harm NO!!! He deserves everything he gets...second the staff of One Way Farm did everything they could do for him and the fight was broken up in a matter of a seconds...and yes there are several witnesses and even a video tape of the entire incident...third yes one way farm did drop the ball on calling the police or a paramedic to check the kid after the fight this is something that supervisor will have to be accountable for. I do not want this issue to shine a bad light on the child care staff at the facility they are hard working and care deeply for the kids there...this is a very sad situation that could have been prevented with proper procedures and policies being followed. The fact of the matter is there are good hearted people that work at one way farm and they should not be judged on a situation that was beyond their control. With out understanding the policies of the facility its easy to point fingers...but please keep in the mind the only ones suffering are the children that are meant for a facility like this one and not the ones such as the offender in this situation.
dazed - 12/23/2011 12:56 AM
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brodyman and alisi- please read your comments. are you serious? you are actually defending his actions. grow up. no, ive never been so mad that i beat someone almost to death, so dont come off with this, "none of you can say" bullcrap. you better hope this kid dont die, cause your little misunderstood friend is going to deathrow. lots of people have hard lives. its what you do to overcome it that makes you a man. not take it out on anothers life. grow up!
brodyman15 - 12/22/2011 11:29 PM
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ive known that 17 year old for 17 years and i also know for a fact that the 16 year old provoked him and im not saying that the 17 year old was right but im saying dont provoke someone to do something to you and not exspect to get what you asked for dont get me wrong i am praying for both of the boys i just hate that there saying that its all the 17 year olds fault because its not and its not over a flash light
alisi2011 - 12/22/2011 10:56 PM
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all of you guys are ridiculous. none of you guys were there to witness what happened, so shut your mouths. the 17 yr old boy was obviously pushed to his breaking point, NONE of you can say you dont have anger problems, EVERYONE does. you cant believe everything you see on TV, and or hear for that matter.
Amizzly - 12/22/2011 8:34 PM
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by the way, the only ones that were in any power to help him with his anger issues that actually cared were his aunt and uncle, who ironically never saw this side of him.
Amizzly - 12/22/2011 7:11 PM
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he never had anyone to show him right from wrong and his parents and older brother (the ones normal people look up to) showed him nothing but how to go to jail and get into trouble. he actually did pretty well for himself for a kid who's been through as much as he has. i have an unlimited number of friends behind me who will agree when i say he was a fierce friend and never got into any big trouble until now. i'm so sorry that the other family has to deal with this and once again i'm not excusing his actions but the problem started when he was much younger. i can only pray that god show mercy to both parties involved. to ahiltebran- have you ever gotten into a fight? its not easy to say that hes "stupid" when you take into account that fights happen everyday. unfortunate consequences however, do not. kids fight over stupid things. sometimes complications come into play afterwards. it really sucks that it had to happen to these two kids instead of someone who really deserves to go to jail for a long time or spend time in a hospital.
veryupset - 12/22/2011 6:38 PM
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Molly20- did your parents watch your every move when you were little or a teenager? i don't think so, i know mine didn't watch me every second of my life. The staff at this place can't watch every person every second. You would think these kids would at least mature enough to act right. You can't always blame everyone else for you wrong doings.
veryupset - 12/22/2011 6:31 PM
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Im so sick of other people not realated to this tragedy posting things on here.You know the saying don't judge a book by it's cover, well teh same goes for this 17 year old. yes he did a horrific thing over something stupid and he is old enough to know better and to know wrong from right. He has had a terrible life. His mom abandoned him and his siblings and truned into a drug user and could care less about her kids. His dad walked out on them when they were young. he was a straight A student for a long time. He wouldn't talk to anyone about any of his problems and his anger built up and he finally snapped. YES it was on the wrong person and over something very stupid. I pray the other boy will be ok. My heart and prayers go out to his family and to the 17 year olds family.
Chenoosesmom - 12/22/2011 5:40 PM
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Just a couple of things. One. Where were the supervisors who were suppose to oversee these young folks. If they had been there close they could have stopped what happened. Second. These folks writing about how great this kids is, but knowing he had an anger problem. What did you and your family do about it? Let it fester? Try to get help for him? Did you discuss this with the placement place? People can be good hearted, kind, you feel sorry for them because of what happened to them, BUT THEY CAN STILL BE DANGEROUS. SOUNDS TO ME LIKE HE WAS A DANGEROUS PERSON AND PEOPLE JUST LET IT SLIDE RIGHT ON BY. I'm sorry for the family, sorry he had such idiot parents, they will get theirs someday. But right now the young man is in big doo doo. I hope the kid he hurt gets okay. Who know. Only God. But we can pray for him.
ahiltebran - 12/22/2011 5:17 PM
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I hope that kid goes to jail for 10 years for what he has done, stupid people theses days. Grow up people!
Amizzly - 12/22/2011 4:49 PM
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The 17 year old has been my best friend, brother, and cousin since the day i was born. No one knows me better than he does. He is not some evil kid that doesn't value what he has and just goes off beating people up. His parents abandoned him at a young age, one before the other, and he came to live with his aging aunt and uncle. after a fallout there, he did not return home for a few months, then turned himself in because he wanted to finish high school. his aunt and uncle said at court that they didnt want him back. so, he went to the one way farm as a final option. He has always had anger issues, ever since we were born, coupled with lying about stupid little things to try and make people think better of him. i think that was his way of dealing with the many issues he's grown up with. i'm not saying that what he did was inexcusable, but i'm also not that surprised that he was involved in this serious of a fight. i pray for the 16 year old's life. but please, don't judge him to be a horrible monster. ive loved him like a brother my entire life.
dazed - 12/22/2011 3:07 PM
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first of all, what is this place? a fostor home or a place for abused kids, or bad kids? what is it? second, molly- people comment on the story given. not on their personality, or anything else. just the story. the story is- he beat another kid so severely that he needs life support. now if you want to comment on how great he is, go ahead, but im not. if he beat someone this bad, he needs mental help and jail.
molly20 - 12/22/2011 2:07 PM
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And i wish people would stop blaming it on the 17 year old where were the adults that were supposed to be watching them???
molly20 - 12/22/2011 2:02 PM
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The 17 teen year old boy is my cousin he is not a bad kid at all and im not saying that because he is my family but he was supposed to go into the marines as soon as his 18th birthday this child had big dreams and wanted to fight for our country!! Instead of looking at what happend and saying he is a bad person ask someone who knows he he is a great kid they got into a fight and it was taken to far our family is praying for the 16 year old boy but my cousin is not a bad kid so do not judge and u do not know him like i do !!
justoneopinion - 12/22/2011 1:38 PM
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This is a very unfortunate event, saddening and sickening in all regards. Where would these children be if not at One Way Farms? These children of all ages have seen, heard and have been put through more than most of us can imagine. Instead of pointing fingers at the staff, a the facility or at the 17 year old, look at yourself and what can you do to help? We are all at fault and should take blame. Do you open your doors to foster an abused child? Let's be truthful, most of us will not because we are afraid of the pinned up anger that these children hold, or we fear for the safety of our own children. I will pray for all involved and let the judging be done by the One and Only that knows our hearts intent.
justoneopinion - 12/22/2011 1:38 PM
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This is a very unfortunate event, saddening and sickening in all regards. Where would these children be if not at One Way Farms? These children of all ages have seen, heard and have been put through more than most of us can imagine. Instead of pointing fingers at the staff, a the facility or at the 17 year old, look at yourself and what can you do to help? We are all at fault and should take blame. Do you open your doors to foster an abused child? Let's be truthful, most of us will not because we are afraid of the pinned up anger that these children hold, or we fear for the safety of our own children. I will pray for all involved and let the judging be done by the One and Only that knows our hearts intent.
Ammys2Cuties - 12/22/2011 12:18 PM
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I am with Cincinnatus on this one...lack of supervision!
mchris1024 - 12/22/2011 8:16 AM
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Obrien13 I believe that the time you are speaking of The One Way Farm was a great place, I have been associated with The Farm for many years, things change, people age, your passion becomes a business, you don't have the energy you once had, you try to find folks to "take over" but you can't let go and the vicious cycle begins. I hope this makes people start to dig into what is and isn't going on there. The training of staff, how funds are being spent-are salaries and "fringe benefits" in line with other salaries of similar organizations, education of those "in charge", ratio of staff to clients in the houses, I hope that before people judge this young man they stop and think about why he was in a group home and show some compassion. I was reading the newsletters last night on The Farm's website and saw that children as young as 8 are now living there someone should be ashamed I know what goes on in those houses and NO 8 YEAR OLD SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO THAT BEHAVIOR. Period. Not appropriate, shame on the county that would place a child that young there and shame on The Farm for accepting. The majority of the clients are teenagers who are troubled, abused physically, mentally and sexually there are fights, cussing, inappropriate behavior for anyone 8 years old. I pray people start looking into this situation before something like this happens again.
LadyExceia - 12/22/2011 1:15 AM
0 Votes
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just to keep the peace ok I made it up I just wanted the attention pay no mind to me . Forget I said anything
JeanB - 12/22/2011 1:00 AM
0 Votes
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Lady Exceia, you are NOT getting your information from the family. I am a member of the family and we would all appreciate it if you would please quit running your mouth. Would you please let the family deal with this in peace! You don't have all the details. Give us some respect!
indiansunshine - 12/22/2011 12:34 AM
1 Vote
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may god be with him!!!
indiansunshine - 12/22/2011 12:17 AM
2 Votes
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i understand you pain and i fell for you and the rest of his family i pray for the best for them . 2 young lives have been destroyed over a light! alot of people are be affected by this-
LadyExceia - 12/22/2011 12:10 AM
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I am getting this information from the ppl who are sitting with him non stop . In hopes that things go for the better . these are the things they tell me . I will pay for this next statement (I hope that it will be later in life) I want the god and goddess to please make sure that he dose
indiansunshine - 12/22/2011 12:03 AM
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i understand but from the reports on the news they said he acted like he was ok also i understand that he stayed up for a long time before being sent to bed with no symtoms of any thing being wrong all i can say is that our lord doesnt like ugly and im sure the 17 will pay for his actions
LadyExceia - 12/21/2011 11:57 PM
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no it was just the 17 he is much bigger and heavier , I can't take the credit of the 16 , there is a diff mother .
indiansunshine - 12/21/2011 11:49 PM
1 Vote
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from what i hear he was not hit repeatedly or sat on. i am so sorry that this happened to your child or to any child for that matter. was another teen arrested in this ? from what i read above. once again i am so sorry and your son is in my prayers!!!!
LadyExceia - 12/21/2011 11:48 PM
0 Votes
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My son is his brother
indiansunshine - 12/21/2011 11:44 PM
0 Votes
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why was your son there
LadyExceia - 12/21/2011 10:56 PM
1 Vote
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Obrien13 haven't you ever heard things change with time , It might have been good when you were there .Things must have changed ! We are all thought as we age what is right and what is wrong . Well hun this is because the boy who was hurt and in icu (the 16) didn't want to share something that was his so the , So ( the 17 )thought he was going to do something to get even . This is all over a flash light hat or something like it . So with that being said , Yes i hope this young man get what is coming to him . I feel this way because when you meet some one you can tell if someone is weaker then you . you can tell if some one is playing with a full deck. Now with that being said Let's talk about this place you speak fondly . I don't know about you but if i knew a child who was hit in the head over and over again , by some one who was not only taller and out weight him . Then shortly after that he (the 16) started to get sick and vomit . Would you send that child to bed , or get them check . Well I'm a mom of 5 I know what I would do . The Doctors have said if they did wait and would have brought him (the 16) in when it happened that it would be diff and he would not be on machines now . Well I'm sure with what I have said everyone should guess I know the family . So now my son , and 2 sister have to be with out a brother which is being taken from them .
Obrien13 - 12/21/2011 10:01 PM
1 Vote
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I for one remember growing up at One Way Farm back in the day when she and her husband housed i would guess at least 15 of us foster children in her own home. This was before she received the funding to build the now housing units. I was also in the new housing units about 20 years ago when they first opened, and I can stand up and say this is one of the best foster/group homes i had ever lived in, that is in my 14 years in the foster home system. One of my finest memories was when she took 20 female teens to Smokey Mountain NP right before my 18th birthday. This was the only vacation I had ever taken in my childhood life, and this was the best forster home i had been placed in. As a child in this situation years ago, I agree I had so much built up anger, especially at the holiday season. You always feel alone and rejected, and One Way Farm did everything to make us all feel like we were part of One Big Family. In the end, it is the child who has the issues dealing with the stuggles of being removed from there home and placed in th is type of home setting. We all go through stages of anger and hurt, and wanting to punish others. This may have been a young man who is new to the syestem and this could be how he acted out, he will get the help he deserves now. Its very sad another young man had to die in the outrage. My prayers are with everyone involved, and I pray ths child is not just locked away and left more alone to do the final self destruct.
Cincinnatus - 12/21/2011 9:42 PM
2 Votes
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How would a bad kid have time under direct supervision of adults to "lay on top of (another kid) and punch him repeatedly in the head." This is a failure of the staff to properly supervise troubled kids. Comments will probably be deleted by tomorrow.
mchris1024 - 12/21/2011 9:26 PM
1 Vote
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Chances are the boy who did this should have been in a facility with trained professionals who could deal with the obvious issues he has, before everyone starts judging please look into The One Way Farm, who they hire, education of staff, salaries, policies, there is much more to this story I hope that this tragedy makes people look into the system and that these two you
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http://www.fox19.com/story/16465914/ohi ... teen-death (http://www.fox19.com/story/16465914/ohio-judge-oks-private-investigator-in-teen-death)
Ohio judge OKs private investigator in teen death
Posted: Jan 06, 2012 7:17 PM EST
Updated: Jan 06, 2012 7:39 PM EST
CINCINNATI (AP) - A southwest Ohio judge has granted a request by a defense attorney to hire a private investigator to look into the death of a youth who authorities say was fatally beaten by a fellow group home resident.
A 17-year-old boy was charged with murder last month following the death of 16-year-old Anthony Parker. Police say Parker was body-slammed to the floor and hit his head at the nonprofit One Way Farm home in Fairfield.
WKRC-TV in Cincinnati reports (http://bit.ly/xbmqf3 (http://bit.ly/xbmqf3) ) a Butler County juvenile judge on Friday allowed the hiring of an investigator to look into events before and after the alleged assault.
A prosecutor argued the move was unnecessary because the incident was captured on video.
The defense argued the teens were seen together, peacefully, following the alleged attack.
Information from: WKRC-TV, http://www.wkrc.com (http://www.wkrc.com)
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http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/local_news ... d-as-adult (http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/local_news/teen-accused-in-fairfield-township-group-home-death-may-be-tried-as-adult)
Teen accused in Fairfield Township group home death may be tried as adult
16-year old died of blunt trauma to the head
Posted: 01/03/2012
By: Tom McKee
HAMILTON, Ohio - Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser began laying the groundwork Tuesday to move the case of a death at a Fairfield Township group home from juvenile to adult court.
A 17-year-resident of One Way Farm on River Road is accused of murdering Anthony Parker, 16, by body-slamming him to the ground head-first last month during an argument over a flashlight.
"This is a very, very serious matter," Gmoser said following a hearing before Butler County Juvenile Court Judge Ronald Kraft.
A charge of aggravated assault was dropped during the proceeding and Dawn Garrett, the attorney for the accused teenager, waived arraignment for her client.
Gmoser said in effect that's a plea of "not true" to the charge.
Next comes a probable cause hearing before Judge Kraft on February 9th at 2:30 p.m. to determine if there's enough evidence for a mandatory transfer of the case to a Butler County Grand Jury for consideration.
"The standard is probability -- the probability that the defendant committed the act," Gmoser said. "The probable cause hearing will include evidence which I will present to best describe exactly how this offense was committed."
In the meantime, Garrett plans to file a motion asking for a private investigator to be appointed to assist in her defense. A hearing on that motion is Friday morning at 8:30 a.m.
If the case is moved to adult court and the 17-year-old is convicted, he could face a prison sentence of 15 years to life.
Questions have been raised whether Parker should have received immediate medical attention after the fight.
One Way Farm Officials and Fairfield Township Police investigators say he didn't show any signs of serious injury at the time.
However, three hours later he was found unresponsive and had vomited. He was taken to University Hospital by Fairfield Fire Department paramedics and was later transferred to Cincinnati Children's Hospital.
Parker was in intensive care and on life support for more than a week before he died. An autopsy determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head.
Gmoser said he hopes he will be able to educate the public about head injuries during the trial. He compared the One Way Farm case to the 2009 death of Natasha Richardson after a skiing accident.
"She fell and her instructors thought there was no consequential injury," he said. "They laughed it off and she went home. She went home to sleep. She went home to die."
"I would hope that head trauma awareness might be an outcome of this particular case down the road," Gmoser added.
However, he refused to say if anyone else who was at One Way Farm the night of the fight might be charged as the investigation is completed.
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Comments:
Becky Howard
I used to work with Children's and Youth Sevices in another state and when there are many type of personalities and emotional/behavioral problems there can at times be volatile situations occurring. The staff are on the ready and even if standing right beside someone a incident can occur in the blink of an eye. As far as head injuries occur even a small blow to the head can cause internal bleeding due to the brain "bouncing" inside the skull. True medical intervention should have been considered however, we were not at the scene to determine what went on, so we cannot be judgemental. With these children fights occur all the time as far as murder that may be a bit over the top. Manslaughter may be more appropriate for this situation. I think (however, not in the legal field) that to prove murder it must be premediated. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Last Week
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Charles H. Meyer
Please change "delopmentally" to developmental, and "chalanged" to challenge. There is not enough time to make sure spelling is correct sometimes.
Last Week
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Charles H. Meyer
I question the decision by the court to try this youth in the adult court system. He was sent to the group home because he has serious issues. Also the death is a result of a fight the two had. No matter who started the fight the two are emmotionally impaired in some form. I think there should be an investigation but murder charges are a bit over the top. Maybe there should be some jail time but what if this is a delopmentally chalanged person. What good would it do to put him in prison.
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Kay Gerhard
It is "emotionally" not emmotionally. He who is without sin, cast the first stone.
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Wayne Thompson
Thanks for the update
Sometimes a story like this gets told and no follow up
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Pregame Winners
An agency and a group home who says they operate "in the best interest of the child" obviously failed this one. Childrens Services at their finest, taking a child from their bio family and putting the child to his/her death. Great work, and why in the heck is nobody questioning the staff or mentioning their failure in this?
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Grant Silcox
there should be no question. he should be tried as an adult. if the staff were aware of the nature of the injuries,[ did someone see it happen?] then serious questions need to be answered
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James D. Bast
I believe in the case of any head injury , you are given instruction to keep an eye on the patient for at least 24 hours ! That doesn,t mean look in on him every 4 hours ! He may have died anyway but you,ll never know ! The boy who did this should pay the maximum penalty !
Last Week
· Reply
Scott Sheppard
the people who run the home are also liable; they should of took the boy to emergency room IMMEDIATELY
Last Week
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Pregame Winners
An agency and a group home who says they operate "in the best interest of the child" obviously failed this one. Childrens Services at their finest, taking a child from their bio family and putting the child to his/her death. Great work, and why in the heck is nobody questioning the staff or mentioning their failure in this?
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Jake Ivey
Pregame, the staff shrugged it off because he didn't have any signs of trauma. They broke up the fight and dealt with it as soon as they could react. Even the police stated that nothing could've been done so quickly to stop him. It happened in 6 seconds.
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Pregame Winners
How about the workers at the group home where this happen? This certainly wasnt in the best interest of the child now was it?
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Joe Jobs
He should be tried as an adult. Lock this scum up.
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Troy Mihailoff
Like I said before, I don't believe he was trying to kill him. Accidents happen,look, your parents had you! I'm sure you wouldnt understand being your probably to chicken $hit to defend you self!
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Troy Mihailoff
To be honest, you even have a gay sissy name! But it's probably not your real name! I don't have to use a fake name because I'm not scared and it makes me easier to find, because I'm not afraid if someone attacks me to introduce their nose to the back of their head!
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Prosecutors blame child in preventable death at group home
Posted on January 10, 2012 by administrator
Prosecutors in Hamilton, Ohio want us to believe that a 17-year old who killed a fellow inmate in a group home for abused kids launched a vicious and unprovoked attack on the victim. The problem is that the known facts contradict their assertions. And while prosecutors are perfectly willing to make public statements, they aren’t willing to release video that shows the fight to the public.
According to a report by WLWT News 5, staff at the group home failed to respond to the medical needs of one child who suffered blunt force trauma in the fight.
http://pendulumfoundation.com/blog/?p=705 (http://pendulumfoundation.com/blog/?p=705)
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Lance Tiernan is to be in court today. 2-9-12
I saw it on local news.
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http://www.13abc.com/story/16903322/ohi ... home-death (http://www.13abc.com/story/16903322/ohio-teen-to-be-tried-as-adult-in-group-home-death)
Ohio teen to be tried as adult in group home death
Posted: Feb 09, 2012 8:16 PM EST
Updated: Feb 09, 2012 8:16 PM EST
HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) - An Ohio judge has ruled that a teen accused of assaulting a fellow group home resident who later died from his injuries should be tried as an adult.
The 17-year-old youth was charged with murder in juvenile court in Hamilton in December. A court official says the judge on Thursday ordered the teen transferred to adult court.
A grand jury will review the case. Bail was set at $1 million.
Police said the teen body-slammed 16-year-old Anthony Parker to the floor in a dispute and that Parker hit his head. Parker was taken to a hospital Dec. 19 and died Dec. 28. An autopsy determined Parker died from blunt force trauma to the head.
The boys were at a Fairfield Township home for children who have been abused, neglected, have disabilities or are otherwise troubled.
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A few more articles:
http://www.wlwt.com/r/30421297/detail.html (http://www.wlwt.com/r/30421297/detail.html)
http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/m ... 26222.html (http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/middletown-news/teen-accused-in-fatal-beating-to-be-charged-as-an-adult-1326222.html)
http://www.fox19.com/story/16900766/but ... me-killing (http://www.fox19.com/story/16900766/butler-county-teen-to-be-tried-as-adult-in-group-home-killing)
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http://news.cincinnati.com/article/2012 ... ting-death (http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120209/NEWS/302090151/Teen-to-be-tried-as-adult-in-beating-death)
Teen to be tried as adult in beating death
7:33 PM, Feb. 9, 2012 |
Comments
[photo]
Lance Tiernan, 17 was bound over as an adult by Judge Ronald Craft in Butler County Juvenile Court in Hamilton for the beating death of 16-year-old Anthony Parker at One Way Farm in December. / The Enquirer/ Tony Jones
Written by
Sheila McLaughlin
Filed Under
News
[photo]
Defense attorney Charlie M. Rittgers and Butler County prosecutor Mike Gmoser, along with other court room officers, watch a video in court. / The Enquirer/Tony Jones
HAMILTON — A 17-year-old boy was ordered held on a $1 million bond after a judge decided he should be tried as an adult in the beating death of a fellow resident at the One Way Farm group home in December.
Butler County Juvenile Judge Ronald Craft made the decision Thursday immediately after watching a security video of the incident and listening to police, group home residents and One Way Farm staff members testify about the case.
Lance Tiernan is charged with murder in the Dec. 19 beating of Anthony Parker, 16. He faces a mandatory prison sentence of 15 years to life if convicted.
Authorities said Lance slapped Anthony, picked him up and threw him headfirst on the floor, then punched him in the head some more.
Anthony died nine days after the attack. Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said Anthony had a brain bleed from a skull fracture and never regained consciousness.
Lance’s attorney, Charlie M. Rittgers, argued Thursday that his client wasn’t trying to kill Anthony and suggested that the altercation was provoked.
Mickey Marlow, a supervisor at Butler County Juvenile Detention where Lance has been incarcerated since the incident, said Lance told him that Anthony had made a threat against his family.
“The young man said he was going to rape his sister and kill his mother,” Marlow testified about what Lance told him.
But Lance also had another story. He gave Fairfield Township police a written statement saying he was “having a bad day” because he missed his mother and sister and was sick of listening to banter between Anthony and another boy about a flashlight.
Anthony, who stood about 5-feet-9 and weighed about 132 pounds, was seated on the floor of the living room at the time. Lance, much larger at about 6-feet-4 and 215 pounds, was seated on a love seat across from Anthony, Gmoser said.
“I was having a bad day and the boys were arguing about a flashlight,” Fairfield Township Police Sgt John Vanderyt read Lance’s statement in court. “I wasn’t in the mood so I asked Anthony if his name was on the flashlight. He said nothing to me and mumbled (an expletive) and that set me off.”
Officials at One Way Farm said Anthony at first did not show any signs of being seriously injured, but they later found him unconscious and called 911.
Dee Power, a One Way Farm employee who was on duty, said she did not see Lance slam Anthony to the floor, but did intervene after witnessing Lance throw a punch. She said Anthony told her that he was OK, so she didn’t call for emergency treatment nor did she check him for signs of serious injury. The staff is trained in CPR and basic first aid, Power said.
Although the altercation was videotaped by a security camera, Power said she didn’t think it was necessary to review it to see what actually happened.
Power said she left work at 10 p.m. Anthony was found unresponsive about 11:30 a.m., about four hours after the attack. The assault was not initially reported to police.
Gmoser criticized a lack of training and the delayed medical treatment by One Way Farm staff in his closing arguments to the judge.
“If there’s ever going to be any good that comes out of this case, it’s going to be that these people that have so much experience ... they are going to get some training in head traumas so that when these kids do get beat up ... that they don’t go to bed that night and end up dead in the morning,” Gmoser said.
“This young man was damaged, fractured, injured and he went to sleep and he essentially never woke up because nobody was paying attention or had the knowledge and skill to know that when you get dumped on your head and pounded into the ground and bashed with a hammer blow or jabbed with a fist, by God some bad things are going to happen.”
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, which licenses One Way Farm, also is investigating the incident. A spokesman at the state agency did not return calls on the status of the investigation.
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Good post, As more details come out we can get a better picture of what really happened. It seems more like program staff could be more to blame for the outcome. I would like to see the video.
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Grandmother Says Treatment Delay Killed Teen
Boy Dies, Teen Charged After Beating At Group Home
POSTED: 6:08 pm EST February 29, 2012
UPDATED: 6:34 pm EST February 29, 2012
CINCINNATI -- The grandmother of a boy who was beaten to death at a group home said she believes the teen would have survived if he received medical attention sooner.
Anthony Parker had been living at the One Way Farm group home for teenagers when he was beaten by another resident. He went to bed without receiving medical treatment, but he was rushed to Children's Hospital later that night when he was found unresponsive on the floor of his room.
"The clot was so large and already causing so much damage, they have him out of CAT scan and into surgery in a matter of 10 minutes," said Anita Smith, who was legal guardian of her grandson. "They told me after the surgery that he was never going to wake up again."
The 16-year-old Parker later died, and 17-year-old Lance Tiernan was charged as an adult with murder.
"Lance Tiernan picked him bodily up, tipped him upside down and drove his head onto a thinly padded carpeted concrete floor," said Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser.
Smith said she's learned more about the circumstances of her grandson's death in the intervening weeks.
"I don't so much feel like they failed me, but they failed Anthony," she said.
Smith said group home staffers waited hours to call for help because her grandson didn't immediately appear to be hurt, but she said doctors told her he didn't have to die.
"If he had gotten there three hours earlier, when the incident first happened, we might've had a completely different outcome," Smith said.
Smith has hired attorney Eric Deters, who plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the group home.
"It's not criminal on behalf of One Way Farm, just a terrible mistake that was made, terrible mistake made," Deters said. "If he would've went straight to Children's Hospital, Anthony would be alive, Lance wouldn't be where he is, so they failed both these boys."
Previous Stories:
January 3, 2012: Teen Could Be Charged As Adult In Group Home Attack
December 29, 2011: Teen Charged With Murder In Fatal Group Home Attack
December 29, 2011: Police: Teen Injured In Group Home Fight Dies
Copyright 2012 by WLWT.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Read more: http://www.wlwt.com/news/30573069/detai ... z1nswgNH6W (http://www.wlwt.com/news/30573069/detail.html#ixzz1nswgNH6W)
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CINCINNATI -- The grandmother of a boy who was beaten to death at a group home said she believes the teen would have survived if he received medical attention sooner.
He also would not have died if he was never put into a program or "group home" to begin with.
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CINCINNATI -- The grandmother of a boy who was beaten to death at a group home said she believes the teen would have survived if he received medical attention sooner.
He also would not have died if he was never put into a program or "group home" to begin with.
Yep...but Deters is a very well known attorney here so I am sure he will leave no stone unturned.
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Yep...but Deters is a very well known attorney here so I am sure he will leave no stone unturned.
Good to know. I saw that he got his license suspended in KY for 61 days recently.
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/9 ... uspension/ (http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/9bdbbcf3e2c547379b114d1b178de936/KY--Attorney-Ethics-Suspension/)
Northern Ky. attorney Deters hit with 61-day suspension, court cites unethical conduct
BRETT BARROUQUERE Associated Press
First Posted: February 23, 2012 - 1:21 pm
Last Updated: February 23, 2012 - 2:24 pm
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A northern Kentucky attorney who has a combative history with the Kentucky Bar Association was suspended for 61 days and ordered to attend ethics training for what the state Supreme Court found to be ethical violations.
The high court on Thursday also ordered Eric Deters, of Independence, to pay $1,834 for the cost of the bar association's proceedings against him.
The suspension stems from Deters' actions in multiple cases, including one involving attorney's fees and another that deals with comments made about a judge and opposing counsel.
Deters, who doubles as a radio talk-show host on WLW-AM in Cincinnati, said the decision on "technical violations" is wrong and that he didn't get a fair hearing.
"For it to be a 7-0 decision really shocked me," Deters told The Associated Press. "Are you kidding me?"
The high court took issue with Deters making calls to the ex-husband of a client, who was watching over a child at the hospital. Chief Justice John D. Minton said Deters solicited the ex-husband's business and offered to file suit over the accident resulting in the child's hospitalization. The ex-husband declined, but Deters kept calling, and eventually filed documents on behalf of his client and her ex-husband, Minton found.
Deters said it was a simple mistake.
In a separate case, Minton wrote, Deters took at $1,500 fee from clients to represent them in a harassment and property line dispute. Deters withdrew from the case less than two months later, but didn't refund any of the money.
The high court also found problems with Deters in a January 2008 case in which he accused Grant County Circuit Court Judge Stephen Bates and opposing counsel, Ruth Baxter, of improperly discussing a civil case without him present, resulting in Baxter winning the case. Deters then went on his radio show and made similar allegations.
Minton and the other justices found that Deters, despite his denials, had publicly made disparaging comments about Bates and Baxter.
"Specifically, Deters alleged that Judge Bates knew he had contributed money to the judge's opponent in previous elections and therefore ruled against him," Minton wrote.
Deters sued the Kentucky Bar Association in 2011 over its handling of the investigations into complaints involving Bates and the case involving his client and her ex-husband. U.S. District Judge Danny C. Reeves turned away Deters' lawsuit, which is now with the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The case is something of a victory for Deters, though. A bar trial commissioner initially found Deters guilty of 16 counts and recommended a six month suspension. The high court acted only on four charges. Deters noted that part of his suspension is based on a refusal to admit to unethical conduct.
"How can I get punished for not admitting I'm wrong when ... I'm found innocent?" Deters said.
Deters, who is also licensed to practice in Ohio, said he will return to legal practice in Kentucky after the suspension ends.
Chris Davey, a spokesman for the Ohio Supreme Court, said an attorney licensed in that state has 30 days to notify the high court of any disciplinary action in another state. Then, the attorney has 20 days to show why he should not face the same or a similar punishment in Ohio.
Deters, though, plans to keep practicing law.
"I've got to put this in perspective," Deters said. "I didn't lose any clients. My clients love me the way I am. I'm going to serve my time and move on."
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http://www.oxfordpress.com/news/juvenil ... 43679.html (http://www.oxfordpress.com/news/juvenile-indicted-for-murder-in-one-way-farm-incident-1343679.html)
Juvenile indicted for murder in One Way Farm incident
12:45 PM Wednesday, March 14, 2012
By Lauren Pack
Staff Writer
HAMILTON — A 17-year-old Lebanon boy accused of beating another teen at One Way Farm has been indicted for murder by a Butler County grand jury.
The indictment filed today alleges Lance Tiernan caused the death of 16-year-old Anthony Parker while committing a felony assault on Dec. 19 at the Fairfield Twp. home for juveniles, according to Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser.
Last month Tiernan was remanded to common pleas court to be tried as an adult after county juvenile Judge Ronald Craft found probable cause in the case. Because of his age and the offense, the case was automatically bound over to adult court.
Bond was set at $1 million by Craft and Tiernan is housed in the Butler County Jail. The case has been assigned to Butler County Common Pleas Judge Patricia Oney, but an arraignment date has not yet been set.
During the probable cause hearing in juvenile court, Gmoser told the judge that Tiernan, at 6 feet, 4 inches tall and 215 pounds, towered over “little Anthony.” He said the victim had no chance.
Gmoser said Parker and another boy were arguing over ownership of a flashlight and when Tiernan tired of the bickering, he allegedly attacked. Tiernan allegedly hit Parker in the head first, then picked him up and slammed his head into the hard floor.
“This young man was damaged, fractured, injured,” Gmoser said. “He went to bed and essentially never woke up.”
The assault was caught on videotape and was viewed by the judge and the attorneys, but not others in the courtroom.
Gmoser said today that after the first blow, Parker attempted to walk past Tiernan and Tiernan reached out with his left hand, grabbed Parker and “body slammed” him to the ground.
Staff at the group home found Parker unresponsive three hours after he was assaulted. An autopsy showed the cause of death was a skull fracture.
At the juvenile court hearing, Tiernan’s defense team, Charlie M. Rittgers and Nick Graman, argued that Tiernan never intended to cause serious injury to Parker and if anything he should have been charged with involuntary manslaughter. They noted that no one at the home thought Parker was seriously injured after the attack and the boy told everyone he was fine.
Tiernan and Parker were peacefully eating sandwiches together after the incident, Rittgers said.
Staff Writer Denise Callahan contributed to this report
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or [email protected].
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http://www.journal-news.com/news/teen-p ... 50083.html (http://www.journal-news.com/news/teen-pleads-not-guilty-in-one-way-farm-attack-1350083.html)
Teen pleads not guilty in One Way Farm attack
12:52 PM Monday, March 26, 2012
By Denise G. Callahan
Staff Writer
Anthony Parker’s adoptive grandmother says Lance Tiernan might not be facing murder charges if staff at the One Way Farm group home had promptly sought medical assistance for her grandson.
Anita Smith was in Butler County Common Pleas Court Monday when Tiernan, 17, pleaded not guilty to a murder charge. Tiernan’s case was transferred from juvenile to adult court in February and a grand jury indicted him earlier this month.
Smith said if Parker were rushed to the hospital after Tiernan’s alleged attack, her grandson would likely still be alive.
“It’s a tragedy, two boy’s lives ruined,” she said. “I think if they had taken him to the hospital right away the doctors say it would have been a different outcome.”
Parker and another boy were arguing over ownership of a flashlight and when Tiernan tired of the bickering, he allegedly attacked. Tiernan allegedly hit Parker in the head first, then picked him up and slammed his head into the hard floor.
Staff at the group home found Parker unresponsive three hours after he was assaulted. An autopsy showed the cause of death was a skull fracture.
One Way Farm declined comment.
Smith is considering filing a wrongful death suit against the group home.
Judge Patricia Oney kept Tiernan’s bond at $1 million, the same amount set in juvenile court. She set another hearing for April 16.
Tiernan’s attorney Charlie M. Rittgers said he will be asking the judge for money to hire a private investigator and a forensic pathologist to help him wade through Parker’s voluminous medical records.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4525 or [email protected].
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Hey there..!! Thank you for sharing this with us..!! It was truly very interesting and informative sharing..!!
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Hey there..!! Thank you for sharing this with us..!! It was truly very interesting and informative sharing..!!
We are following this story closely. The most disturbing thing to me is, from reading the articles, it seems that Lance Tiernan was placed at One Way Farm for truancy. He was 17, but in Ohio (from what I gather), teens under the age of 18 must work or go to school. Since Lance was denied the right to make an adult decision about his education, it seems hypocritical to now charge him as an adult.
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http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/day ... 58911.html (http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/one-way-farm-in-violation-at-time-of-boys-death--1358911.html)
One Way Farm in violation at time of boy’s death.
By Denise G. Callahan, Staff Writer
11:16 AM Thursday, April 12, 2012[/b]
COLUMBUS — A state investigation shows One Way Farm was in violation of two infractions when a young boy died following an altercations with another juvenile last year at the group home.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services released a report Thursday to this newspaper that lists a violation of CPR training and a missing medical screening for a resident. The report does not spell out if the group home in Fairfield Twp. followed proper procedure during and following the altercation.
Agency spokesman Ben Johnson said the licensing arm of ODJFS did not investigate the incident itself, just whether the home was compliant with licensing requirements.
Lance Tiernan, a former Lebanon High School student, stands accused of murder in the incident. He was transferred from juvenile to adult court in February, and a grand jury indicted him earlier this month in the Dec. 19 attack. Parker died of his injuries Dec. 28 after more than a week on life support at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
Anthony Parker and another boy were arguing over ownership of a flashlight and when Tiernan apparently tired of the bickering, prosecutors say he attacked. Tiernan allegedly struck Parker in the head, then picked him up and slammed his head into the hard floor.
Staff at the group home found Parker unresponsive three hours after he was assaulted during a routine bed check. At the time of the incident, Tiernan had been a resident for less than a month at the group home and had no prior known history of violence, according to Warren County Children Services, which placed him.
An autopsy showed Parker’s cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, according to prosecutors
An employee’s cardio pulmonary resuscitation certification was not up to date the day Parker was beaten, according to the report. A medical screening for a resident was also not completed. The report does not spell out if the screening was for Tiernan or Parker. Documents show the home was informed the child was not supposed to remain in their care. By the time the decision was made to leave the youth at the home, the five-day medical screening time line had expired.
Documents show the employee in question has since completed recertification. The corrective plan One Way Farm submitted has been approved.
One Way Farm Children’s Home officials have declined comment about the incident, but previously stated Parker was up and talking and had eaten a sandwich following the incident and did not appear seriously injured.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4525 or [email protected].
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http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/c ... 68243.html (http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/crime/motions-denied-trial-set-for-teen-accused-of-killing-at-childrens-group-home-1368243.html)
Motions denied, trial set for teen accused of killing at children’s group home
By Denise G. Callahan, Staff Writer Updated 7:19 PM Monday, April 30, 2012
A Butler County judge denied motions Monday for defense funds and set a July trial date for 17-year-old Lance Tiernan, who is charged as an adult in the death of Anthony Parker, another teen at the One Way Farm Children’s Home.
Tiernan’s lawyers, Charlie M. Rittgers and Nick Graman, are representing the former Lebanon High School student for free and asked Common Pleas Judge Patricia Oney for funds to pay a private investigator, a retired police officer and a medical expert to review Parker’s medical records.
Rittgers said Oney told the counselors during an hourlong in-chambers meeting that tight county coffers can’t pay for a private investigator except for capital cases. They withdrew that motion.
Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser opposed the defense’s motion for $2,000 to pay for a retired police officer to examine and likely testify about the “caliber” of the investigation into the incident at the Fairfield Twp. home in December.
“The request is made on the basis that a witness may be able to say something about what another witness would have, could have or should have done is not material nor appropriate to any issue in this case,” Gmoser said.
Rittgers said he knew the motion was a long shot.
“We knew it was a stretch to begin with,” he said. “But it’s better than sitting there and letting them present a case and we only have cross examination.”
The case against Tiernan was transferred from juvenile to adult court in February, and a grand jury indicted him earlier this month in the Dec. 19 attack. Parker, a 16-year-old Fairfield High School student, died of his injuries Dec. 28 after more than a week on life support at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
Parker and another boy were arguing over ownership of a flashlight when Tiernan, apparently tired of the bickering, attacked, prosecutor’s say. Tiernan allegedly struck Parker in the head, then picked him up and slammed his head into the hard floor.
Staff at the group home found Parker unresponsive three hours later during a routine bed check.
Oney held in abeyance Rittger’s motion for $3,000 to hire a doctor to examine Parker’s medical records. Gmoser said Tiernan needs to show a “particularized need” for the expert. Oney scheduled another hearing for May 14. The trial was set for July 10.
Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4525 or [email protected].
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http://news.cincinnati.com/article/2012 ... y=nav|head (http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120711/CINCI/120711031/Teen-accused-murder-described-respectful-kind-shy?odyssey=nav|head)
Teen accused of murder described as respectful, kind, shy
2:18 PM, Jul. 11, 2012
Written by
Paul McKibben
HAMILTON - Baby-faced Lance Tiernan, accused of murdering a fellow teenaged resident at Fairfield Township group home last December, told jurors Wednesday in Butler County Common Pleas Court that he did not want to take Anthony Parker’s life.
Tiernan said he did not suspect 16-year-old Anthony was severely injured after Tiernan beat him up on the evening of Dec. 19 at One Way Farm.
“I wasn’t trying to hurt him,” Tiernan testified on the witness stand, wearing a white dress shirt, brown pants and a tie.
Tiernan was 17at the time of the incident. Anthony died nine days later. Tiernan is charged with one count of murder and faces 15 years to life in prison if convicted. He is being tried as adult.
Tiernan said he felt terrible about what happened.
“I never wanted to take his life,” he said.
Tiernan admitted to hitting Anthony and said he saw a video of the incident for the first time on Tuesday when prosecutors played it during the trial.
Before the attack Anthony and another resident were arguing about a flashlight, Anthony was raising his voice and Tiernan got tired of the bantering, the defendant testified. Tiernan said Anthony said two expletive phrases with one about Tiernan’s mother. Tiernan said his mother his mother is a sensitive issue. She abandoned him when he was in the sixth grade.
“I can’t deny I didn’t hurt him,” he told Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser under cross examination.
Tiernan was the defense’s last witness on Wednesday.
Tiernan’s aunt and uncle in Mason took him to Warren County Children Services on Nov. 30 after he returned from running away. The relatives no longer wanted to care for Tiernan who was abandoned by his mother when he was in the sixth grade.
Tiernan was a student at Mason High School.
Earlier, the defense began its case by calling a former official from Warren County Children Services and three Mason High School teachers to the stand. One of three teachers testified via a video recorded last week.
The teachers described Tiernan as someone who was respectful, kind, shy, was a good student and worked hard/
“Lance is probably my favorite student of all time,” Jessica Krohn, an intervention specialist at Mason High School.
Krohn’s testimony was taped and played for the jury.
The prosecution rested Wednesday morning.
In the two-day trial prosecutors only called three witnesses with a Hamilton County deputy coroner, being the state’s final witness against 18-year-old Lance Tiernan.
Dr. Jennifer Schott, a forensic pathologist and deputy coroner, told jurors that 16-year-old Anthony Parker suffered from brain swelling and a fracture to part of his skull. She said Parker being slammed to the ground by Tiernan caused the fracture to that bone.
Prosecutors showed jurors graphic photos of Anthony’s head with all but one of them depicting a bloody skull.
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http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/n ... h-1/nPt8J/ (http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/news/local/teen-guilty-of-lesser-charge-in-beating-death-1/nPt8J/)
Updated: 9:13 p.m. Thursday, July 12, 2012 | Posted: 9:12 p.m. Thursday, July 12, 2012
Teen guilty of lesser charge in beating death
Verdict is involuntary manslaughter in group home fatality.
(http://http://media.cmgdigital.com/shared/lt/lt_cache/thumbnail/960/img/photos/2012/07/16/9e/e7/hjn071312tiernan01_1155053a_5.jpg)
Photo: Samantha Grier
Defense attorney Charlie M. Rittgers pats Lance Tiernan on the back after Tiernan was convicted of involuntary manslaughter on Thursday in the death of Anthony Parker last December at One Way Farm. Tiernan, who was tried as an adult, faced 15 years to life in prison had he been convicted of murder. Staff photos by Samantha Grier
By Denise G. Callahan
Staff Writer
Lance Tiernan cried as the jury foreman read the verdict Thursday that he was not guilty of murder but guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the beating death of another teen at an area group home for children.
The jury deliberated for two hours in Butler County Common Pleas Court before deciding Tiernan, who turned 18 in May, was not guilty of murdering 16-year-old Anthony Parker.
Rather than facing 15 years to life in adult prison, he now could be sentenced to a maximum of 36 months, and his attorney says his punishment may be served in the juvenile system.
Judge Patricia Oney ordered a pre-sentence report and will impose sentence on Aug. 20.
Tiernan was the fifth juvenile to be tried for murder in the county during the past five years.
On Tuesday, the jury viewed a video of the incident that took place at the One Way Farm group home on Dec. 19, 2011. Tiernan lunged at Parker and punched him in the head.
When the teen, who was eight inches shorter than Tiernan, tried to scramble away, Tiernan bear hugged him from the back and threw him on his head.
The slow-motion view of the tape showed Parker’s head bouncing off the hard floor, and Tiernan delivered a final blow to the back of Parker’s head while he was lying on the floor.
During closing arguments on Thursday the jury learned they could choose between murder or two lesser offenses, namely involuntary manslaughter or reckless homicide.
Parker’s adoptive grandmother, Anita Smith, who has been critical of the group home for not seeking medical aid sooner, said the verdict brings closure. After the assault, Parker appeared fine. One Way Farm employees didn’t call medics or police until they found the teen unresponsive three or four hours later.
Smith said she was hoping the jury would convict Tiernan on the murder charge.
“It’s not what we wanted, but that’s what the jury decided, so we’ll have to learn to live with it. ... I feel we got some justice. At least he showed some remorse, which is the first time I’ve seen it.”
Tiernan took the stand in his own defense Wednesday and cried when he described the incident. He said he never meant to kill Parker and didn’t realize his actions could have led to this result.
Tiernan’s sister, Danielle Tiernan, said the verdict was a great relief.
“We’re happy with this outcome for him,” she said. “I was finally able to breathe.”
Prosecutor Mike Gmoser and Assistant Prosecutor Brad Burress left the courtroom without comment and could not be reached for their reaction.
Defense attorneys Charles M. Rittgers and Nick Graman hugged their client when the not guilty of murder verdict was read. Afterward, Rittgers said the jury picked the right option.
“This is a tragic case, it was tragic for Anthony’s family and also for Lance’s,” he said. “I think it’s a just outcome, and we’re happy with the verdict.”
At sentencing, there will most likely be a “reverse bind-over” to juvenile court, according to Rittgers. “The reason he was bound over to adult court was it was a mandatory bind-over for the murder charge,” he said. “Given he was convicted of something less, he has the opportunity to be heard in juvenile court to see if he is amenable for treatment there.”
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WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO
http://www.fox19.com/story/18987197/tri ... =printable (http://www.fox19.com/story/18987197/trial-begins-for-lance-tiernan-accused-of-killing-anthony-parker?clienttype=printable)
Video of fight that killed Butler County teen shown in court
Posted: Jul 10, 2012 5:23 AM EDT Updated: Jul 11, 2012 6:56 AM EDT
Posted by FOX19 Digital Media Staff - email
Lance Tiernan Lance Tiernan
HAMILTON, OH (FOX19) -
The trial for a teenager who is accused of killing a fellow resident of a Fairfield Township group home began Tuesday.
Jury selection and opening statements were held Tuesday in the trial of Lance Tiernan, 18, who is accused of killing Anthony Parker, 16, at the One Way Farm group home last December.
Tiernan allegedly struck Parker in the head, then picked him up and slammed his head into the floor.
Three hours later, staff at the group home found Parker unresponsive during a routine bed check.
Parker died on Dec. 28 after more than a week on life support at Children's Hospital.
"This defendant was aware of the facts and circumstances of what it is he did," said Butler County Assistant Prosecutor Brad Burress.
But the defense claims that's not true, and in his statement to police he was "having a bad day, and Parker set him off" while arguing over a flashlight. The defense says Tiernan did not knowingly cause serious physical harm to Parker.
"It was not felonious assault and it's not murder. I trust that after you hear all the evidence you will agree," said Charlie Rittgers, Tiernan's attorney.
The trial is expected to last two to three days.
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http://news.cincinnati.com/article/2012 ... ed-my-son- (http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120820/NEWS/308200040/54-days-jail-Oh-my-God-He-murdered-my-son-)
54 days in jail? 'Oh my God. He murdered my son'
12:22 PM, Aug. 20, 2012 |
http://cmsimg.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcsi ... ed-my-son- (http://cmsimg.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AB&Date=20120820&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=308200040&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&54-days-jail-Oh-my-God-He-murdered-my-son-)
LOCAL AUG. 20, 2012 Anthony Parker's adoptive grandmother, Anita Smith, holds a collage of photographs of Parker through the years. Parker, 16, was beaten to death by fellow One Way Farm group home resident Lance Tiernan on Dec. 19. / Sheila McLaughlin/The Enquirer
Written by
Sheila McLaughlin
http://cmsimg.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcsi ... ed-my-son- (http://cmsimg.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=AB&Date=20120820&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=308200040&Ref=H1&MaxW=300&Border=0&54-days-jail-Oh-my-God-He-murdered-my-son-)
Lance Tiernan gets 54 days in jail, probation and community service is the death of 16-year-old Anthony Parker at One Way Farm group home last December. / Enquirer file
HAMILTON — The man who considered himself Anthony Parker’s father burst from a Butler County courtroom Monday screaming “Oh my God. He murdered my son” after a judge gave the boy’s killer 54 days in jail, probation and community service.
“I will never forgive Mr. Tiernan. I will hate him for the rest of my life,” Frank Smith said before Judge Patricia Oney sentenced Lance Tiernan on a charge of involuntary manslaughter.
Smith, who never returned to the courtroom, has two teenage daughters with Parker’s mother from a previous relationship.
Jurors found Tiernan not guilty of murder in July, but they did convicted him of involuntary manslaughter in the Dec. 19 beating death of Parker, 16, at One Way Farm in Fairfield Township.
Tiernan was charged as an adult with murder but since the jury tossed that charge, the case will revert to the juvenile system for a second sentencing hearing on involuntary manslaughter.
By law, Tiernan’s case was automatically bound over to adult court because of his age – 17 at the time of the offense – and the seriousness of the charge. The case automatically is sent back to juvenile court for a sentencing hearing because Tiernan was not convicted of the murder charge.
Defense attorney Charles M. Rittgers said a Butler County juvenile judge will review the adult court’s sentence and is supposed to mirror it.
Tiernan could be held in a juvenile prison until he’s 21, but that’s unlikely, Rittgers said. As an adult he faced up to three years in prison. He has been in jail for 246 days awaiting trial.
Being sentenced as a juvenile means the conviction won’t follow him as an adult when he applies for jobs or college, Rittgers said.
The hearing in juvenile court has not been set.
Beside the 54-day jail sentence, Oney ordered Tiernan to spend one year on intensive probation and to be monitored for drug and alcohol use for four years. He will have to perform 500 hours of community service and either get his GED or finish high school. Tiernan was a student at Mason High School before being arrested.
(Page 2 of 2)
Tiernan told Oney Monday that he was sorry for what he did to Parker.
“Every day I ask God for forgiveness. I never wanted Andy to die. I never should have done what I did. It was stupid,” said Tiernan, who was placed at One Way Farm by children services because he had run away and none of his relatives would take him in.
Tiernan was 17 when he beat Parker in a violent attack at One Way Farm. Parker suffered a skull fracture and was later found unresponsive in his bedroom. He died nine days later when his adoptive grandmother, Anita Smith, removed him from life support.
Parker’s mother, Kathy Sulton, accepted the judge’s sentence.
“I guess he got what he wanted. I wanted more but … he got what the judge felt was right and I’m hoping he gets his life together and he meant what he said that he was remorseful. Only time will tell,” Sulton said.
She said she forgives Tiernan.
“The day that this happened in my heart I knew that he didn’t intentionally set out to kill Anthony. It’s just the grieving is very hard. Anthony was my first born and it’s just been a hard road,” she said.
Sulton said her 8-year-old son is in grief counseling and is having the toughest time dealing with his brother’s death. The boy has talked of wanting to kill himself so they could be together, Sulton said.