DCF Findings on Military Academy
State investigators believe a local military academy is hurting kids, but the school is vowing to stay open even though the Department of Children and Families says it should be shut down.
In April of this year, 17 boys saluted their Colonel. Now, 2 months later, only 3 remain. All because of allegations of abuse. Colonel Alan Weierman says, "I don't think I'll get those kids back. I don't think the damage that DCF has done can be repaired. I don't think it can ever be repaired no matter what happens."
Back in April, the Department of Children and Families began looking into abuse allegations after a teen ran away from the Military Academy. He was found in shackles. DCF urged parents to pick-up their kids immediately. In April, one mother told us, "He (her son) came here because he needs help."
At that time, the mother rushed to get her son. Monday, she along with the 16 other families got a call saying the investigation was over. One mother says she was told Monday she could be held responsible for problems if she puts her son back in the school.
Vern Melvin of DCF says the agency has serious concerns about the safety and welfare of the children. He could not elaborate on what exactly the investigation uncovered, but tells us, "Given the seriousness of our findings, if we had regulating authority over this facility, we would probably be moving to close them." But, they can't.
Colonel Weierman says, "Their statement about if they could close me they would close me, they made the statement 1988 if they could they would, I guess I am a threat to them. I do a better job then they do."
Colonel Weierman says he knows there was never any abuse at the school. He is willing to make changes to prove DCF wrong. He says he will look into quitting the use of shackles. He wants to hear suggestions from DCF.
DCF says they will pass on their findings to the local police department and the State Attorney's Office. It is now up to them if they want to pursue this case any further.
Colonel Weierman says he will remain open. In fact, he has 28 kids in summer camp this June.
