Researchers from Georgetown University’s Center for Youth Justice have uncovered the graves of over 1,000 children who died at reform schools and youth detention centers across the U.S., including more than 230 Black boys buried near the former House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children in Cheltenham, Maryland. This facility, which operated from 1870 to 1937, is now the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center. Families, like that of Veronica Spears, are just learning about their ancestors who died in these institutions. The graves, marked by small headstones, are often hidden among fallen leaves and debris, highlighting a forgotten chapter of history. This discovery is part of the Forgotten Children Initiative, which aims to identify these children and connect with their surviving relatives.
QUESTION: How might uncovering and acknowledging these forgotten histories impact the way we view and address current issues in juvenile justice?
Over 1,000 children are buried at juvenile detention centers nationwide
