Thayer Learning Center in Kidder has been the focus of much media attention since the death on Nov. 3 of Roberto Reyes, a 15 year-old student at the military-style boarding school
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Thayer Learning Center in Kidder has been the focus of much media attention since the death on Nov. 3 of Roberto Reyes, a 15 year-old student at the military-style boarding school. Caldwell County Sheriff Kirby Brelsford has found himself at the center of what has often been a tumultuous investigation, offering as much rumor as fact and as many questions as answers.
Findings by the Jackson County Medical Examiner stated that the young man’s death was determined to be an accident and probably due to a spider bite, most likely the brown recluse. That official declaration by itself has been subject to much disbelief and controversy, as fatalities from the bite of a brown recluse are considered rare.
“I completely trust our doctors and the medical team that performed the autopsy,” said Sheriff Brelsford. “If there had been indications of other possibilities we would investigate them. In fact, we did.”
State law mandates that a Child Fatality Review panel investigate incidents that result in the deaths of children from birth to 17 years old. That panel agreed with the initial finding that Roberto’s death was most likely caused by a venomous spider.
More troubling, the panel also concluded that Roberto may have survived had he received more immediate medical care from Thayer officials.
The State Technical Assistance team was called upon to determine if abuse or neglect played any part in Roberto’s death.
“The technical team uses the skills of many professionals and I called them in because we didn’t want to leave any stone unturned,” said Sheriff Brelsford. “This technical team knows where to look and what questions to ask. I’m anxiously awaiting the state team’s report myself to see what other things we may be faced with.”
The report from that investigation, which is expected to be nearing completion, will be forwarded to Caldwell County Prosecutor Jason Kanoy to determine if any criminal charges are to be made.
In the meantime, Sheriff Brelsford states that his experience with the young people at Thayer over the years has been a positive one.
“The students participate in parades in Kidder and other community events,” he said. “They’re mostly respectful. They mind well. Our department hasn’t had any major problems with them at all through the past couple of years.”
Thayer Learning Center is located in the former Kidder Institute building. It sits on about 20 acres of Missouri farm land, according to its website. The 100 or so teens who live there do school work and typical farm type chores and participate in seminars. It is run by Willa and John Bundy. It’s not cheap. The website says that TLC’s program cost is $4,000 per month with a $2,000 startup fee. The total price for the first month is $6,000.
The sheriff’s department has had only minor run-ins with Thayer since it opened in the summer of 2002.
“A neighbor will call and complain that the kids are out too late doing push ups or running or doing count offs,” said Sheriff Brelsford. “It’s a military-type school and they do a lot of drills. Every once in a while we’ll have a runaway that we have to capture and take back. In any kind of program of this type, it’s exactly what you make it,” he said. “There’s a reason these kids are going there. They’re very troubled teens typically. Kids call home and tell their parents things. They want out.”
Sheriff Brelsford has no problem with Thayer making teenagers run or do exercises, but won’t stand by for abuse.
“Of course I’m against any kind of child abuse. But I have to work on facts. People can call complaining they’re doing this or they’re doing that at Thayer. But I can’t go making arrests and kicking down doors without proof.”
Sheriff Brelsford gets calls from parents asking him what he thinks of the school.
“It’s a fair question to ask,” said the sheriff. “If a parent calls, I’d have them ask specific questions. In general, I tell them that the sheriff’s office has had calls about runaways and at different times we’ve worked with DFS (Department of Family Services). All allegations have thus far been unfounded and no charges have been filed.”
As to the owners of Thayer, John and Willa Bundy, the sheriff has found them cooperative during the course of the investigation.
“They Bundys have been very open to us and we have good communications with them,” said Sheriff Brelsford. “If we need to conduct an investigation, they let us in. They don’t seem to be trying to hide anything at all.”
Sheriff Brelsford said he has had open access to the youth at Thayer to ask them questions.
“All I have to do is call up and I can talk to any kid out there,” he said. “If they’re telling me a horror story, I’ll investigate that. But some of those kids don’t want to be there and tell you all kinds of things. If I followed every lead, I wouldn’t have a sheriff’s department, we’d all be over there.”
As the state’s investigation continues, Sheriff Brelsford walks a tightrope of neutrality between the interests of vulnerable teenagers far from home, and fair play for individuals who may be among the few willing to help them.
“I’ve not found anything that’s a horrific crime,” Sheriff Brelsford said. “That’s what people want to hear. The newspapers typically blow things up. I don’t want any kind of child abuse going on. At the same time, it seems everybody’s head hunting this place. The public’s trying to eat them alive before the facts are all in and I don’t think that’s fair.”