The news about 15-year-old Colt Lundy that’s filtering out of the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility—the adult prison to which Kosciusko County Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed directed the boy be sent—is very sad. The boy is being held in solitary confinement and has taken to cutting himself, something he had never done to himself before. He is reportedly receiving only a half hour of counseling each week and is set off anytime anyone tries to touch him. His state of mental health appears to be deteriorating.
Attorneys who visited him last week report that whereas Colt’s biological father has been making an effort to visit his son from faraway Arizona, Colt’s relationship with his mother is understandably troubled following his murder of her husband and his stepfather Philip Danner on April 20th.
They said Colt asked how his friends Paul Henry Gingerich and Chase Williams are doing, he was told that Chase’s parents had been arrested on methamphetamine charges and that Chase is living with his grandmother after having been released after a several-month term at the South Bend Juvenile Correctional Facility; and that Paul Henry is serving time at the Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility. They said tears of relief and regret filled his eyes when he heard the news.
I must admit that on hearing this story, my attitude about this boy who had bullied his young friends into harm’s way—at times shooting them with a BB gun to force their compliance—began to soften. When I shared this information with Paul Henry’s parents (who certainly have greater reason than I to resent Colt), I could hear sadness and compassion in their voices. “I am praying for him,” Nicole said, and I believed her and admonished myself that I should follow her example. Even if everything works out for Paul Henry as I hope it will, it would be a hollow victory if Colt is destroyed by his prison experience.
In my opinion, Paul Henry was denied due process by the prosecutors and judges of Kosciusko County—and Colt was, too. (Other courts have allowed defense attorneys up to a year to prepare for waiver hearings; this court allowed defense attorneys only four business days—an outrage.) For the life of me, I cannot understand how any of these unworthy men—prosecutors Steven Hearn and Dan Hampton, and judges Duane Huffer and Rex Reed—can live with themselves after having subjected these children to such barbaric, unfair, inhumane, and cruel treatment. Their contemptuous use of the law undermines respect for the authority of the state and reinforces the callous and hateful spirit which threatens the survival our society at its roots.
At the same time, Colt Lundy’s experience within Indiana’s adult prison system fills me with profound gratitude that Paul Henry has been spared the same fate because of IDOC’s enlightened decisions so far. I thank God for the man who made the call that Paul Henry would be better and more safely served in Indiana’s juvenile corrections system. It was the first time a judge’s ruling to punish a child in an adult prison had not been followed, and I respect that man’s wisdom, moral backbone, reason, and courage.
It fills me with hope that we can and will do better for all of America’s children—even poor Colt Lundy.
۞
Groove of the Day
Listen to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young performing “Teach Your Children”
Dan: Would it help either of these boys (Colt or Paul) to receive cards/letters especially by their peers? Also, do you have any idea how Colt is receiving funds (commissary) to help supply his needs? Are his parents helping at all? This is just sad….guilty or not, no child deserves this as this sort of “punishment” is not benefiting anyone especially the child who in this case will one day be released back into society. May God be with Colt as well as all the other children.
Mike,
My name is Stephen and yes cards/letters can be sent to both boys also both may receive funds for the commissary. I would be happy to send you the information via private email
Steohen,
I was sent the info on my email for Colt, but must have accidently deleted it. Can you send it to me again? This kid needs some support.
I pray that his mother can muster some sympathy for him and begin to support him……
Also, do you know what type of reading material he likes and if he is able to receive books? I would like to purchase some books for him and we also have piles of super hero comic books. My sons and grandson are x-men fanatics…..
Thank you,
Cathy Estopinal
Daphne, AL
Mike, I appreciate your asking about Colt’s commissary account. I forgot to mention that Colt’s lawyer visitors discovered he had no funds in his account, which makes prison a vastly more desolate experience. These lawyers put $20 in Colt’s account, but it won’t go far: everything in prison commissaries is MUCH more expensive than even the most costly convenience stores outside the gates. Inmates are punished every day by extortionary pricing for snacks, etc., as are their families for collect phone calls, etc. Please let me know if you’d like to help, and Steven or I will get you details.
Dan & Stephen: Thanks, I would appreciate that. Feel free to send the information in a private email.
I too would appreciate this info.
God bless Colt Lundy. I was afraid this would happen. The mistreatment of all these boys makes me sick. I continue to pray that all are brought to justice that have done wrong. I was man enough to admit to my crimes. A man Mark Souder who I did not agree with now stepped up and admitted his wrong doing. I support and respect this man now for wanting to walk with our Lord Jesus Christ once again. I pray that all that seek to do evil within this state and elsewhere ask for forgiveness in order to save their souls from Hell. God bless the world.
When a child suffers-God cries. What has happened to the 3 boys involved in this and to 2 of the family’s is tragic. What Dan says and feels towards the judges and prosecutors here -I second those words. Also the gratitude towards the gentleman who placed Paul ,Henry in the juvenile facility instead of Wabash Valley-deserves much credit and thanks. Pendleton is still an iffy place to send a 12 year old who doesn’t have the same mental fit and makeup as most of the inmates at Pendleton, but it nis much better than Wabash.
Colt’s life and immediate situation will change for the better soon-we are fighting for that and it will happen. Colt is a child and deserved far better than what the courts gave him, and his actions since being at Wabash show that the courts have put entirely too much on his shoulders. He is hurting and he is breaking. This is his bottom point-soon the light will start to shine for him. I truly believe that.
I read in an article that Colt came up with this plan because he wanted his mom and dad to get back together. Though the reason is unclear for certain, it is apparent Colt needs help and forgiveness.
I do not understand the plea bargain. It appears Colt got less years, he could have received more apparently but I see adults get lesser sentences. Also, when a lawyer accepts a plea, why aren’t they making sure they get their clients in a safe environment? What good is a plea like this if the child cannot survive safely where he is placed? Not a great plea bargain. Obviously Colt is having a mental break-down and needs hospitalized until he is stable. This is very sad.
I will never understand how an adult, Judge Reed, could place this boy in that environment. I will never understand why people want adult charges for children. Do they not realize they have lost their freedom? Why torture them? This is inhumane. If the child is a juvenile, he belongs in a juvenile facility.
I hope his family provides regular supportive visits. No matter what happened, he cannot go back and change what he did. They need to forgive him and help him. He needs to be in a juvenile system. He needs to be safe.
Colt must get therapy immediately. I hope they will not continue to break him down further. Colt seems to have been crying for help for a very long time, but no one was listening … I want Colt to know that someone is listening now. What a horrible shame that he had to push it this far in order to be heard.
I like Jane and Mike wonders what’s the purpose of punishing,(torturing for a much better word maybe?), a kid like this. What’s the purpose of a plea deal? It is not done to benefit the defendant as much as the comunity? How can this be of any good to the boy or the community? Honestely, treating a kid like this only is going to make that kid more resentfull and eventually a hardened criminal. He is going to be out one day, in 12 or 25 years, probably more than 12, who knows, because in wabash he is going to be in trouble more than once and he’s going to have to defend himself in order to survive. When this kid gets out of prison he will come out a much hardened criminal and is then when the community are going to have to sleep with one eye open.
Sadly there is people out there that can justify this treatment to a 15 year old, even there would be some people who are right now laughing at his suffering, but as much as those people are laughing now, it will come the day when that kid who will become a man, will laugh at all of them.
Colt needs to be taking out of wabash inmediately, that’s not place for kids. He needs help, rehabilitation. Wabash has been criticized by two human rights groups, Human Rights Watch and the Northwest Indiana Coalition to Abolish Control Unit Prisons, because of the treatment of inmates in the maximum-security Secured Housing Unit (SHU). The two groups asserted that confining inmates in their individual cells for twenty-two or more hours a day was inhumane, especially for inmates with mental illnesses. That same year, Human Rights Watch published their report, Cold Storage, which brought national attention to Wabash Valley Correctional Facility’s treatment of inmates.
There is another kid in wabash the same age than Colt, Blade reed, he was taken there at 14, he had been sexually assaulted twice and when he tried to protect himself he was punished for it and put in lock down. He is still in lock down, he has attempted suicide on more than one ocasion.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/humane-treatment-for-blade-reed/
Wabash is not place for Kids, I think there are about 90 Juveniles in wabash now.
The way Kids are being treated is appalling. And more appalling that there is people who thinks this is the right thing to do.
TORTURING KIDS FOR FUN AND PROFIT.
http://www.nospank.net/boot.htm
WABASH VALLEY CORRETIONAL FACILITY. That’s where Colt is been sent, and the place where Judge Rex Reed wanted to send a 12 year old Kid.
http://www.google.es/url?q=http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D3ueRFmmIyfw&sa=X&ei=hb06TYS_Hsev8QPtnL2kCA&ved=0CEwQ8AEoAjAE&usg=AFQjCNH2QGYkdlmA3JnvK0iG5u7I7SFgcQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJMHPstfl1o
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=2A0579FB233A298E&playnext=1&v=dt7calK8Cck
Gloria, you spared me a lot of typing, thanks!
This is turning into a real horror story. Solitary confinement is cruel and unusual punisment (as is a child in an adult prison), Colt needs help- therapy and rehabilitation. What are they turning hin into? Cutting is not unusual in tis situation- it is a cry for help, the only thing he can control in his life, and the only way to release pain. He can still receive mail. If he has no money, he will become indebted to other inmates at a High rate of interest. There are no Friends in prison. Please get info on how to help him.
When Colt arrived at Wabash he was immediately placed in AS (Administrative Segregation). Do to his repeated attempts to injure himself-he has received multiple write ups/punishment for doing so-and has been placed in DS which is Disciplinary Segregation (Maximum Security).
Instead of punishing Colt for his repeated attempts of injuring himself/attempted suicide. It should have been a major red flag for them and given him the extra help he has needed and has been crying out for, for an extended period of time.
There will be a positive ending to this story-as Dan said in a previous post in regards to Paul Henry-the line has been drawn in the sand and Colt will start to have some positive things happen to him shortly.
If 90 kids are there it is all about percentages and needs to remain obtaining funds, etc.
It is shameful!
O.K. just watched and read some of Gloria’s web site. Iam sick. I guess I have been oblivious to what goes on in the courts. Why are proven mentally ill people in jail and not in mental institutions?
It is hard to believe we are so behind intellectually within the prison system and mental health system. Why are we treating mentally ill people, who are born with mental illness, have no choice but to live with mental illness, who likely would not have committed crimes if we had better health care for mental illness, had more education to the public about mental illness, like criminals?
The crimes they committed were due to mental illness and they needed medication to help them and still do. You can see the 1st man shakes his head has a form of tic, not uncommon from long periods of psych meds.
We need to be better than this. Why isn’t our elected officials helping our country obtain more humane treatment of the mentally ill that commit crimes. Would it be that hard to staff psychiatrists and psychologists, etc, etc., in institutions for the mentally ill? We are punishing people for being born with a defect they never asked for. This is very sad.
Sorry, I am retracting an error above. The man in the video Gloria provided appears to have a form of Tourette’s syndrome (shakes his head) which is very common when you have been on psychotropic medications for a long length of time.
This has made me so sick, I almost threw up. I cannot believe people are being so cruel and mean to these kids. It makes me so sad. I will see what I can do to maybe get this story to some of my family and friends that are in the government. I have a family member who is the assistant AG in another state and maybe just maybe she has a contact that will help get this whole situation turned around. If nothing more, it’s another person that will help spread the story.
Still, just…. I can’t even put into words how sad this is…
I will add Colt to my ‘child prisoner’ prayer list…which now includes Jordan Brown, Paul Henry, Blade Reed and Colt.
As you notified us, I checked the date for the Jordan Brown appeal on the PA Superior Court website.. It’s set for tomorrow or Wednesday in Pittsburgh.
I’ve decided to have a day of fasting and prayer for Jordan tomorrow. I hope others will join in.
Thanks.
Dan,
Thanks, yet again, for covering this child’s plight. The new information coming to light serves to prove that even us seasoned advocates need a gentle reminder to wait until the child, the family, and friends of all involved are comfortable enough to open up with what REALLY happened in the events that drove these children to their fateful day. Its a good thing to have a reality check. Even for us.
This child needs our help. He should have been helped long ago. May God bless our endeavors to help relieve this child and get him into a better situation. We’re going to need him on our side.
“Child abuse is doing something or failing to do something that results in harm to a child or puts a child at risk of harm. Child abuse can be physical, sexual or emotional. Neglect, or not providing for a child’s needs, is also a form of abuse.
Most abused children suffer greater emotional than physical damage. An abused child may become depressed. He or she may withdraw, think of suicide or become violent. An older child may use drugs or alcohol, try to run away or abuse others.
Child abuse is a serious problem. If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, call the police or your local child welfare agency.”
Resource: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/childabuse.html
RESOURCE: http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfm
FROM: US DEPT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SVCS/ ADMIN FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES/ CHILD WELFARE INFORMATION GATEWAY
SUBJECT:
Recognizing Child Abuse
The following signs may signal the presence of child abuse or neglect.
The Child:
Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance
Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’ attention
Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
Lacks adult supervision
Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home
The Parent:
Shows little concern for the child
Denies the existence of—or blames the child for—the child’s problems in school or at home
Asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves
Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome
Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve
Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs
The Parent and Child:
Rarely touch or look at each other
Consider their relationship entirely negative
State that they do not like each other
(Back to Top)
Types of Abuse
The following are some signs often associated with particular types of child abuse and neglect: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. It is important to note, however, that these types of abuse are more typically found in combination than alone. A physically abused child, for example, is often emotionally abused as well, and a sexually abused child also may be neglected.
(Back to Top)
Signs of Physical Abuse
Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the child:
Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes
Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school
Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home
Shrinks at the approach of adults
Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver
Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver:
Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child’s injury
Describes the child as “evil,” or in some other very negative way
Uses harsh physical discipline with the child
Has a history of abuse as a child
(Back to Top)
Signs of Neglect
Consider the possibility of neglect when the child:
Is frequently absent from school
Begs or steals food or money
Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses
Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor
Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
Abuses alcohol or other drugs
States that there is no one at home to provide care
Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent or other adult caregiver:
Appears to be indifferent to the child
Seems apathetic or depressed
Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner
Is abusing alcohol or other drugs
(Back to Top)
Signs of Sexual Abuse
Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child:
Has difficulty walking or sitting
Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities
Reports nightmares or bedwetting
Experiences a sudden change in appetite
Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior
Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age 14
Runs away
Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver
Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver:
Is unduly protective of the child or severely limits the child’s contact with other children, especially of the opposite sex
Is secretive and isolated
Is jealous or controlling with family members
(Back to Top)
Signs of Emotional Maltreatment
Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the child:
Shows extremes in behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior, extreme passivity, or aggression
Is either inappropriately adult (parenting other children, for example) or inappropriately infantile (frequently rocking or head-banging, for example)
Is delayed in physical or emotional development
Has attempted suicide
Reports a lack of attachment to the parent
Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the parent or other adult caregiver:
Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child
Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help for the child’s problems
Overtly rejects the child
Thanks for all the information Tonya. It will be helpful on the job.
It is only my personal opinion, but having gone back and read ALL the injustice that has been casted upon these poor kids it is in my opinion that every person ie:judge,prosecutor,ect that has allowed or caused this type of action against a child are guilty of child abuse, and child neglect themselves. These judges and prosecutors forget they were voted in office and can be voted out of office just as well and everytime race is going to be ran for people to cast their votes I am going to make darn sure that they know about the wrong doings of these officials that are supposed to be helping and protecing the youths of their state,just to make sure they are not re-elected. I bet they all have skeletons in their closets that need to be exposed.
I’ve had far less sympathy for Colt Lundy because at a minimum, he was older and should have been held more accountable than the younger boys whom he commanded influence over. After reading your post, I can see that he is not going to make it through this ordeal without some support, which sadly, he doesn’t seem to be getting from his family. Punishment is one thing, but throwing the boy into a psychological dark hole and abandoning him is simply cruel.
Rex L. Reed – Corrupt Crony and Criminal – disbarment proceedings are to commence immediately – and then we’ll heat up some tar – gather up some feathers – and send him straight back to hell where he came from.
In response to :mike stevens
February 21, 2011 at 10:12 pm
Rex L. Reed – Corrupt Crony and Criminal – disbarment proceedings are to commence immediately – and then we’ll heat up some tar – gather up some feathers – and send him straight back to hell where he came from.
Now that is a pig roast that I would gladly attend and I am a vegan. I sure hope some Justice comes for these kids and soon. I also wish the worst Karma ever on all of those who wished evil things upon these kids.You can only be evil and lie for so long before you get caught, and they will get theirs as well.
I cannot emphasize this enough – to anyone – DO NOT ever appear before Rex L. Reed for anything. Whether it is criminal, divorce, child custody, NOTHING! If you have a lawyer – and find yourself stuck dealing with Rex Reed – demand a change of judge – and/or a change of venue. If your lawyer disagrees, fire him or her immediately! It’ll save you a lot of grief in the long run – take it from a man who learned the hard way. And if you don’t want to take my word for it – perhaps those two children could convince you.
And if that is not enough Mike, they could have a look at this link, maybe they will hear you then.
http://www.google.es/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCAQFjAB&url=http://www.corruptusjudicialsystem.org/papa&ei=ELgnTfyRJMSb8QOj05X3Ag&usg=AFQjCNGYgGgoUp2uVLewcAi9jw-tkCvfjA