How Could You? Hall of Shame-Grandfather Home for Children-Child Death
This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.
From Banner Elk, North Carolina, an unnamed 14-year-old boy, who resided in the Grandfather Home for children Christian residential treatment center (RTC), drowned on August 5, 2013 while under the care of a “house parent”.
“A 14-year-old child and resident of Grandfather Home for Children was found dead Monday, Aug. 5, near the Mill Pond in Banner Elk in an apparent drowning, although the cause of death has not been confirmed, police said.
At approximately 7:15 p.m., Banner Elk Police Department received a report of a missing person, and the teen was found deceased in Elk River below the spillway at the Mill Pond. Banner Elk Fire Department and the Linville-Central Rescue Squad Swift Water Rescue Team assisted Banner Elk Police in recovery efforts.
The boy was one of four male teens outdoors at the time of the incident, the chief said.
“It appears that a group of juveniles were there with a house parent. It’s not uncommon to take children outside to play, and they had actually been in this same area before,” Clawson explained.
According to Clawson, the incident appears accidental, but authorities are “looking at all possibilities.”
“There is no indication at this point of anything other than an accident. We are currently speaking with individuals with Grandfather Home as we are building a timeline and gathering statements,” Clawson added. “This appears to be just a tragic, horrible and sad event.”
Clawson added that preliminary autopsy results would be available in a few days to aid in the department’s investigation.
On Wednesday, Grandfather Home for Children CEO Jim Swinkola issued a statement to media, explaining that the boy was a resident of one of Grandfather Home’s cottages on its Banner Elk Hayes Campus. Swinkola said the boy “apparently was with his cottage hiking group, disappeared and then was found drowned just below the Mill Pond in Banner Elk.”
Swinkola said that Grandfather Home is cooperating fully with local authorities and other stakeholders, noting, “It appears to be a tragic accident, but full investigations are underway.” He said staff are focused on the emotional wellbeing of other children in the home’s care as they process the tragedy and that their concern includes the family and friends of the boy.
“Please pray for family, children and staff at Grandfather Home as they deal with this crisis in their lives,” he said.
Police have not yet released the name of the boy “because he’s a juvenile,” said Banner Elk Police Chief Byron Clawson. “Not for some time,” he added, when asked when or if the teen’s name would be released. Clawson said the boy’s next of kin was notified Monday night.
Grandfather Home for Children is a Christian ministry providing residential placement and services for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Jim Swinkola, executive director of Grandfather Home, had not released a statement on the child’s death as of presstime Tuesday.”
UPDATED: Teen found dead in Banner Elk
[Wautauga Democrat 8/7/13 by Jamie Shell and Anna Oakes]
“Last night, a 14-year-old boy from Grandfather Home for Children was found deceased below the spillway of the Mill Pond in Banner Elk, according to Banner Elk Police Chief Byron Clawson.
At 7:15 p.m. Clawson said his office received a report of a missing juvenile and responded to the scene where the boy was last seen. The 14-year-old boy was a part of a group of three other boys with a “house parent” hiking and swimming near the dam.
After receiving the missing persons report, Clawson said a call was made to the Avery County Swift Water Rescue and Banner Elk Police Department. Also, the Avery County Sheriff’s Office and Sugar Mountain, Seven Devils and Lees-McRae College police departments assisted in the search.
Clawson said the body was discovered submerged in the river at 7:30 p.m. Clawson added that the house parent “lost sight of the boys for just seconds” and searched for the 14-year-old boy before calling for help.
“It’s not anything unusual. Grandfather Home had done the same thing before,” Clawson said, referring to the outing on the river. “Unfortunately, tragedy struck last night.”
Because the teen is a minor, his name is being withheld.
The teen’s body will be autopsied at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem at 1 p.m. Before the autopsy results come back, Clawson said he wouldn’t give an official statement as to the cause of the death.
“There are several other points we are looking into and it’s still under investigation,” Clawson said. “We are open to all information.””
[High Country Press 8/6/13 by Jesse Wood]
The website of the RTC can be found here.
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