ACTIVE SEARCH SD - Serenity Dennard, 9, Children’s Home Society, Pennington County, 3 Feb 2019 #2

[Bugurl747]

Here is the 2018 Spring Edition "The Children’s Friend, The Porch Light" and the 2017 Annual Report of Children’s Home Society of South Dakota if anyone is interested in taking a look. It's a very nice, well put together, 32 page document containing a lot of information on the Children's Home.

The guide details staff leadership, financial reports, marketing and volunteer service break down with monies raised including pie graphs. It breaks down each facility, their budget and charitable donations. There are pull out quotes, messages from the President, photographs of children from years ago and photos of friends and donors.

It is touching. Children's Home has touched a lot of lives over the decades. They have a huge legacy to protect.

https://chssd.org/pdfs/2017AnnualRe...aBu6MNZWSnRcmnnrvSjERSADQSK1DZ5qCcoS7_TXpOiag

 

[Bugurl747]

In regards to the Home--

I suspect heads will roll on the lower tier of staffing, specifically those that were involved in this incident. It will protect the Home's image and the staff will be easily replaced. I imagine there will be some updates to the buildings with some additional safety measures in place including updates on protocols to ensure the safety of the children as 'that is their top priority'.

Honestly, I don't see any ramifications the Home will face other then a slight tarnished image over this incident. In time I think that will fade, but it will never be forgotten.

I flip back and forth whether the home will do something in Serenity's honor vs distancing themselves from the situation.

I lean towards them doing something in Serenity's honor ( when the time is right) as they don't want to look like they have anything to hide, and I do think the majority of people involved in this line of work are passionate and extremely dedicated.

...there are those dastardly few though

MOO

 

[Deleted member 238350]

I have lived and worked in the human service delivery field in SD many years of my career. I also worked in other states in the same field. I served as line staff, program coordinator, program director, Executive Director, etc. In those roles, I have been thoroughly impressed by the dedication of most non profit organizations and local LE. I have had LE at my door to interview me about a non residential client committing suicide in her home. I have had a staff member somewhat aggressively targeted by Social Service agencies when she reported a serious concern about a client to me, and I immediately reported it to LE. In no incident such as those I mentioned was there any wrong doing or neglect. I say this because my experience has been this residents, staff, program administrators, Directors, etc. and LE take their responsibility pretty seriously in non profits. I seriously doubt there is any coverup going on here. If mistakes were made, areas of vulnerability identified, neglect of responsibility occurred, etc, action is likely to be taken by the agency. Frankly speaking, SD still values human life and responsibility for such. I ache for this child, and for any life lost, but I retain trust and faith that there are good people in place doing their best. My experience with this agency underscores that their reputation is deserved. If needed, heads will roll.

 

[Wild Rose]

So much money is either donated or given through tax dollars, I will NEVER understand why these children who can easily wander or run are not automatically given some type of bracelet or anklet to help them when they are too young to help themselves. I have worked in facilities and it only takes one staff member who doesn't care for disaster to happen IMO, not saying this is the case here but why can we not issue a simple tracker device, they should also be on Alzheimer's patients. We just had a woman leave a facility by us and she froze, LE was not called for hours.

 

[The Night Watchman]

So much money is either donated or given through tax dollars, I will NEVER understand why these children who can easily wander or run are not automatically given some type of bracelet or anklet to help them when they are too young to help themselves. I have worked in facilities and it only takes one staff member who doesn't care for disaster to happen IMO, not saying this is the case here but why can we not issue a simple tracker device, they should also be on Alzheimer's patients. We just had a woman leave a facility by us and she froze, LE was not called for hours.

I’m a practical guy so a tracking device sounds like a great idea. At first glance.

In reality it could be dehumanizing (IMO) and would be a Scarlet Letter for kids fighting to be normal and accepted. So I think it would cause more problems than it solved.

 

[human]

I know in MN people with monitors have to pay for them. How much do they cost?

I agree as far as the kids. Life is hard enough for them. They know who wears bracelets, I am sure.

 

[Eleanor Rigby]

I’m a practical guy so a tracking device sounds like a great idea. At first glance.

In reality it could be dehumanizing (IMO) and would be a Scarlet Letter for kids fighting to be normal and accepted. So I think it would cause more problems than it solved.

There are a ton of different GPS tracking devices. They wouldn't have to use the "tethers" that are used on adults who are on house arrest, probation, or whatever. Just Googling "tracking devices for children" brings up many possibilities from "cute watches" to "shoe insoles" to "small geo tags." I've never used any and don't know anything about them. I'm just thinking that there must be inconspicuous tracking devices that would not make kids feel dehumanized or like criminals. Maybe ones "invisible" to kids that they would be unaware of. If it would help prevent a tragedy like has befallen Serenity, then I would be in favor of trying humane / inconspicuous trackers. MOO.

 

[Auntie Cipation]

It would be nice if there were some that were like simplified fitbits, or even just watches but with a gps-type function, and then maybe everyone at the facility would wear one so there wouldn't be a stigma.

I'm also thinking about dementia sufferers in addition to children.

 

[1&2&3]

Apparently the door leading to the outside did not have an alarm.

Many of the exit doors in schools or public buildings have an alarm on them, in my area. Some do not send the alarm to LE, it is to notify the workers to go check what is going on.

This would have required an immediate staff response if the door had an alarm. Perhaps the noise would scare Serenity and she would not have run out. If only. . . . .

 

[human]

Apparently the door leading to the outside did not have an alarm.

Many of the exit doors in schools or public buildings have an alarm on them, in my area. Some do not send the alarm to LE, it is to notify the workers to go check what is going on.

This would have required an immediate staff response if the door had an alarm. Perhaps the noise would scare Serenity and she would not have run out. If only. . . . .

I imagine it might be a commonly used door so it is not alarmed.

 

[Deleted member 238350]

In regard to tracking devices, it must be noted that any such device that could be removed or disabled likely would be.

 

[carbuff]

I'm not sure whether something is being covered up or if there's just that much confusion and ambiguity about who was where and at what time. In the rush of things happening, people might not have looked at the time, or paid attention to how long it had been. It would take me about ten minutes to walk 300-400 yards to the cattle guard, even hurrying, but if I was hurrying to try to catch up to a child, I'd probably think it took a lot less time than it did. If I had to take a minute to grab a coat and slip on boots, I probably wouldn't count that time in my head, but that could take another five minutes--or maybe none if I could grab it on the way out.

Plus I don't carry a watch. I would have had to pull my phone out to check the time--and I probably wouldn't have slowed down enough to do that if I was running after a child, or running inside to get help.

Of course LE might have worked out these details and just not released them.

 

[SkipperKey3]

I'm not sure whether something is being covered up or if there's just that much confusion and ambiguity about who was where and at what time. In the rush of things happening, people might not have looked at the time, or paid attention to how long it had been. It would take me about ten minutes to walk 300-400 yards to the cattle guard, even hurrying, but if I was hurrying to try to catch up to a child, I'd probably think it took a lot less time than it did. If I had to take a minute to grab a coat and slip on boots, I probably wouldn't count that time in my head, but that could take another five minutes--or maybe none if I could grab it on the way out.

Plus I don't carry a watch. I would have had to pull my phone out to check the time--and I probably wouldn't have slowed down enough to do that if I was running after a child, or running inside to get help.

Of course LE might have worked out these details and just not released them.

I'm sure LE has pinned this down after talking to everybody involved, and cleared up as many of the discrepancies as they can. And yes, as far as the time is concerned, it can simply be a matter of people approximating the time to the best of their knowledge, without knowing for certain.

 

[PayrollNerd]

There are a ton of different GPS tracking devices. They wouldn't have to use the "tethers" that are used on adults who are on house arrest, probation, or whatever. Just Googling "tracking devices for children" brings up many possibilities from "cute watches" to "shoe insoles" to "small geo tags." I've never used any and don't know anything about them. I'm just thinking that there must be inconspicuous tracking devices that would not make kids feel dehumanized or like criminals. Maybe ones "invisible" to kids that they would be unaware of. If it would help prevent a tragedy like has befallen Serenity, then I would be in favor of trying humane / inconspicuous trackers. MOO.

It’s called a cell phone with the right app. No one would stand out and be bullied because they’d fit right in. My friend has some app on her teens’ phones. If she’s busy at work, Gpa is all over it. LOL! The funny thing is, they’re such good kids. But seriously, basic cell phones are cheap.

 

[Bugurl747]

I imagine it might be a commonly used door so it is not alarmed.

Interesting human, when I read your post my reaction was if it is a commonly used door - it should be monitored or alarmed in some way. Whether it be a badge in - badge out, cameras, or some type of notification system. It isn't necessarily to prevent anyone from leaving but simply monitor who is coming and going.

IMO, that is basic safety for the children in ones care. As a parent I would ensure it, as a facility I would think they would want to provide it or it opens doors to liability. And there are monitoring systems and equipment available that would not create an atmosphere of jail or restriction. Most public facilities and even some of our homes have various degrees of security depending on where we live from security systems, cameras, steel bars on windows ( inner cities), huge dogs, door security, and that is just their norm. Then there are people like @mtnlites where the doors at home are usually kept unlocked and I get that depending on where you live. I feel a little differently when it comes to large groups of kids under staff eye at a facility. Kiddos are vulnerable.

I still struggle at how easily Serenity was able to exit the premises and simply disappear. Behavioral issues would be a norm in this type of environment and I would think there would be measures in place to prevent such an event from happening where liability wouldn't fall on 2 eyes, 4 eyes, or distracted eyes. MOO

@TwoDogNight are you able to give some insight into this? There was mention of cameras not working, do you know what type of security measures are in place at the Home?

@sodakblackbird you mentioned entering the facility, did you say you had to provide ID and go through a locked door to enter into the building?

I know each facility varies widely.

I know this has been mentioned before, I guess I don't want to let this go. It is getting quiet.

 

[Breezie]

Are you referring to her birthmom? I don't believe the adoptive mom would even be seeking to take her out of there. Most adoptive moms, like myself, who are seeking treatment for their child have to jump through incredibly hoops just to get their kids in, and typically, you can remove them any time you want. They are not prisoners.

Just wondering about the steps or incredible hoops that would be jumped through before a residential school is considered. Most school districts have EBD classrooms. Would placement in an EBD classroom be done first?

Some outside behavioral/mental health agencies can coordinate intensive in-home services to help families. People can be offered in-home help for evenings and weekends. If a residential setting is approved, does it mean these other options have been tried first?

 

[ilovechili]

SD ran away from the gym at 10:45am. I believe that was corroborated. Did it take her 15 minutes to get near the cattle guard? Or 35 minutes to get there? Either timing is highly suspect at this point in the investigation. Back to sitting on hands IMO.

I agree. And I try to sit on at least one of my hands at all times I don't always manage it though. And two is even harder... Yet I do try

 

[Catmommy]

The time line may indeed be skewed for whatever reason. What I don't understand is the idea that Serenity was hanging around the cattle gap when she was spied by ... a believable witness? Then she bolted up the hill? Maybe it's just because we aren't privy to all the information but my hinky meter has been going off since day one. This isn't going to have a happy ending. May God grant that I'm wrong.

 

[Bugurl747]

Just wondering about the steps or incredible hoops that would be jumped through before a residential school is considered. Most school districts have EBD classrooms. Would placement in an EBD classroom be done first?

Some outside behavioral/mental health agencies can coordinate intensive in-home services to help families. People can be offered in-home help for evenings and weekends. If a residential setting is approved, does it mean these other options have been tried first?

Hmm, I wonder if additional services were available and potentially covered due to Serenity being adopted?

It looks like SD has an Adoption Subsidy Program. South Dakota Adoption Subsidy Program

 

[Monkey boy]

It’s called a cell phone with the right app. No one would stand out and be bullied because they’d fit right in. My friend has some app on her teens’ phones. If she’s busy at work, Gpa is all over it. LOL! The funny thing is, they’re such good kids. But seriously, basic cell phones are cheap.

There is not cell service there