Facility profile Missouri
Thayer Learning Center
Thayer Learning Center was a program in Kidder, Missouri. It operated from 2001 to 2009.
About Thayer Learning Center
Reportedly re-branded as TLC Teen Life Skills Center in 2008.source Reportedly sold in 2009 to become White Buffalo Academy (in other words, closed).source It closed in 2009.source Parent Help of Gallatin, MO, a referral agency owned by John Bundy, referred all three GAO investigators to Thayer Learning Center, owned by his wife Willa Bundy.source It was owned by Willa Bundy.source
Monthly charges at programs the GAO investigated ranged from $2,800 to $13,000.source
Thayer Learning Center in Kidder, MO houses more than 100 troubled teens and is exempt from state oversight under Missouri law; it was a key focus of the GAO investigation.source
Survivor testimony
What people who lived or worked here say happened. Survivors' own words are published with their permission; forum accounts are what was posted publicly and are reported as claims, not findings.
Reported on survivor forums
- Fornits: Parent and critics debate the validity of Thayer Learning Center (2004-2005) (2004-2005, 39 posts)
- Fornits: Forum posters discuss a student death at Thayer Learning Center in 2004 and 2005 (2004-2005, 438 posts)
- Fornits: Former or Current Students, Parents, and Employees of Thayer (2004-2005, 14 posts)
- Fornits: Problem with the TLC Thread (2005, 2 posts)
- Fornits: Thayer Learning Center LAWSUIT--PLEASE READ (2005, 6 posts)
- Fornits: 14 Year old Dies at THAYER LEARNING CENTER (2005, 10 posts)
- Fornits: looking for parents and former students (Victoms) (2005-2010, 18 posts)
- Fornits: new thayer article by steve rock (2005, 1 post)
- Fornits: St. Joseph Article - March 14th (2005, 7 posts)
- Fornits: Boonville police urge caution on Kemper (2005, 56 posts)
- Fornits: State Investigation - TLC criticized over death of Roberto R (2005, 11 posts)
- Fornits: State report criticizes Thayer Learning Center's actions (2005, 5 posts)
- Fornits: Council says NO to Kemper proposal (2005, 4 posts)
- Fornits: Council says NO to Kemper proposal (2005-2006, 28 posts)
- Fornits: Death at Appalachian Wilderness Camp (2005, 2 posts)
- Fornits: Help for the new guy (2005, 11 posts)
- Fornits: Former cadets, parent, and staff debate Thayer Learning Center conditions and abuse (2005-2007) (2005-2007, 89 posts)
- Fornits: Thayer Won't Be Charged in Death of Roberto Reyes (2005-2006, 10 posts)
- Fornits: Protective Order Sought Against the Bundys (2005, 10 posts)
- Fornits: A five-month investigation by The Star (2005, 1 post)
- Fornits: Eating my own vomit was good for me (2005, 2 posts)
- Fornits: Thayer Learning Center and the State Attorney General of Mis (2006, 1 post)
- Fornits: Parents settled out of court (2006, 9 posts)
- Fornits: Parents settled out of court (2006, 3 posts)
- Fornits: Child Abuse for Profit is Occurring in America (2006, 2 posts)
- Fornits: List of Known Abusive Programs (2006, 71 posts)
- Fornits: sick (2007, 24 posts)
- Fornits: DEATH TOLL *place testimony here* (2007, 1 post)
- Fornits: ParentHelp (new WWASP front) (2007, 4 posts)
- Fornits: Government doing Investigation into Thayer Learning Center (2007, 1 post)
- Fornits: THAYER (2007, 2 posts)
- Fornits: Aspen Troll Ranks on Maia (2007, 5 posts)
- Fornits: Is this a Sue Scheff website? PARENT HELP (2007, 4 posts)
- Fornits: Fornits wiki status (2007, 44 posts)
- Fornits: TLC Responds to Possible Justice Department investigtion (2007, 2 posts)
- Fornits: Thayer Responds to Possible Justice Department Investigation (2007, 9 posts)
- Fornits: FBI Asked to Investigate the Death of Roberto Reyes (2007, 15 posts)
- Fornits: Texas Youth Escapes From Thayer (2007, 1 post)
- Fornits: Posters discuss mall shooter history and issues at Piney Ridge Center (2007) (2007, 83 posts)
- Fornits: now that takes balls (2008, 7 posts)
- Fornits: Teens Escape Thayer / hunted down by K-9 unit (2008-2010, 4 posts)
- Fornits: Two escape Thayer Learning Center, are later apprehended (2008-2009, 15 posts)
- Fornits: Former Thayer Learning Center closes doors (2009-2010, 6 posts)
Timeline
From the records: who ran it and the deals that moved it, its names, and the deaths, incidents, inspection findings, lawsuits and news stories on file. Point at an event, or tap "More about this", for the details.
2001
Opened in Kidder, Missouri
2003
Abuse
At least seven people reported more than a dozen allegations of child abuse at Thayer Learning Center (Kidder, MO) to the Caldwell County sheriff's office...
Abuse April 2003
At least seven people reported more than a dozen allegations of child abuse at Thayer Learning Center (Kidder, MO) to the Caldwell County sheriff's office since April 2003; as of late 2005 the Missouri Attorney General's office had not joined the investigation.
2004
Roberto Reyes, 15, died here
Complications of a spider bite; officials found earlier medical care might have saved him
Roberto Reyes, 15, died here November 3, 2004
Death
A 15-year-old died at Thayer Learning Center in November 2004, after which allegations of child abuse at the center came to light.
Death November 2004
2006
Provo Canyon School Closure
1 article in Dissident Voice.
Provo Canyon School Closure April 20, 2006
The article reports allegations that several privately operated residential treatment programs for adolescents employ coercive discipline, physical and chemical restraints, and isolation, resulting in reported trauma among former participants.
2007
Investigation
Thayer was a key focus of a nationwide GAO investigation into residential programs; it is exempt from Missouri oversight and houses 100+ teens.
Investigation October 2007
2008
Lawsuit
Five former Thayer Learning Center employees sued the Kidder, MO boot camp and owner Willa Bundy in June 2008 for malicious prosecution after Thayer dropped...
Lawsuit June 2008
Five former Thayer Learning Center employees sued the Kidder, MO boot camp and owner Willa Bundy in June 2008 for malicious prosecution after Thayer dropped its 2003 lawsuit accusing them of making false abuse statements.
Lawsuit
Five former Thayer Learning Center employees, previously sued by Thayer in a dropped case, sued the center for malicious prosecution; child abuse allegations...
Lawsuit June 3, 2008
Five former Thayer Learning Center employees, previously sued by Thayer in a dropped case, sued the center for malicious prosecution; child abuse allegations at Thayer surfaced after a 15-year-old died there in November 2004 (Kansas City Star).
Runaway
Two youths assaulted a security guard while escaping from Thayer Learning Center; local law enforcement apprehended and took them into custody.
Runaway July 30, 2008
2009
Closed
Deaths on record
Incidents on record
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April 2003 Abuse
At least seven people reported more than a dozen allegations of child abuse at Thayer Learning Center (Kidder, MO) to the Caldwell County sheriff's office since April 2003; as of late 2005 the Missouri Attorney General's office had not joined the investigation.source
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November 2004 Death
A 15-year-old died at Thayer Learning Center in November 2004, after which allegations of child abuse at the center came to light.source
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October 2007 Investigation
Thayer was a key focus of a nationwide GAO investigation into residential programs; it is exempt from Missouri oversight and houses 100+ teens.source
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June 2008 Lawsuit
Five former Thayer Learning Center employees sued the Kidder, MO boot camp and owner Willa Bundy in June 2008 for malicious prosecution after Thayer dropped its 2003 lawsuit accusing them of making false abuse statements.source
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June 3, 2008 Lawsuit
Five former Thayer Learning Center employees, previously sued by Thayer in a dropped case, sued the center for malicious prosecution; child abuse allegations at Thayer surfaced after a 15-year-old died there in November 2004 (Kansas City Star).source
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July 30, 2008 Runaway
Two youths assaulted a security guard while escaping from Thayer Learning Center; local law enforcement apprehended and took them into custody.source
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Abuse
A former resident told HEAL that runaways were held in isolation for a week, then made to crawl in sand and do push-ups.source
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Restraint
A former resident told HEAL that a sergeant punched a resident in the chest during a confrontation, leaving a red mark.source
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Sexual abuse
A former resident told HEAL that a sergeant groped girls repeatedly with the owner watching.source
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Sexual abuse
A former resident told HEAL that two or three male sergeants forced girls to perform oral sex and that one raped them.source
News coverage
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Congressional Testimony Details Abuse and Deaths at Youth Boot Camps
During congressional testimony, parents and Government Accountability Office officials detailed thousands of allegations of abuse and multiple deaths at youth residential programs and boot camps. Lawmakers and investigators highlighted systemic issues including inadequate training, medical neglect, and poor program management, prompting calls for increased federal oversight and state regulation.
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Allegations of Abuse in Residential Treatment Programs for Teens
The article reports allegations that several privately operated residential treatment programs for adolescents employ coercive discipline, physical and chemical restraints, and isolation, resulting in reported trauma among former participants. It also describes corporate ties, political contributions, and legal actions related to these facilities.
Staff
Administration
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Willa Bundy
Former Ownersource
Elsewhere in the industry
- Teen Help Staff
- Linden House Staff
Documents
Woodbury Reports Mentions (3)
Research that mentions this program
From the Unsilenced archive
16 documents about Thayer Learning Center that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their whole folder: Thayer Learning Center.
- 03-15-2005 letter from dss to Bundys.pdf
- 04-15-2005 LETTER TO BUNDYS.pdf
- Additional Links for Thayer Learning Center.xlsx
- AUTOPSY PHOTOS.pdf
- AUTOPSY.pdf
- child abuse neglect investigation summary.pdf
- CHILD FATALITY REVIEW PANEL FINAL REPORT.pdf
- emergency room record.pdf
- post employment acknowledgement.pdf
- Roberto and Me!.docx
- sheriff_s initial investigation before dss referral.pdf
- shift notes and mackey statement about shift notes.pdf
- stat activation report.pdf
- THAYER MANUAL AND RELATED STUFF.pdf
- THAYER PHOTOS OF ROOMS ETC..pdf
- Wiederaenders G Patrick DSS Div of Legal Services 816 325.doc
We have questions about Thayer Learning Center
If you were there, worked there or sent your child there, you can help fill in what our records are missing. Each question takes a moment; skip anything you do not know.
Materials and links
Reference and research
- 223. Thayer Learning Center
- Thayer Learning Center (2016-11-04)
- History of Thayer Learning Center
- Thayer Learning Center
- Thayer Learning Center (Wikipedia)
4 of these from SCIAD NET.