Former Ellipsis employee shares experiences within the facility
"Katie was an amazing person," said Brandon Newman, a former employee at Ellipsis. "She cared about those kids more than herself."
"Katie was an amazing person," said Brandon Newman, a former employee at Ellipsis. "She cared about those kids more than herself."
"Katie was an amazing person," said Brandon Newman, a former employee at Ellipsis. "She cared about those kids more than herself."
Following the death of an Ellipsis employee after police say she was assaulted by a 15-year-old, a former staff member at the juvenile treatment center tells vlog he felt employee safety was not a priority to managers.
Jovahn Mathis faces second-degree murder charges after the deadly assault of 50-year-old Kathleen Galloway-Menke. The attorney for Galloway-Menke's family, Trever Hook, tells vlog she and a male employee followed the boy at a safe distance after he left the facility without permission. Hook says the boy turned around and ran towards them, eventually pushing Galloway-Menke hard enough that she fell to the ground and hit her head on the concrete.
Galloway-Menke was being treated for her injuries at Iowa Methodist Medical Center before her family took her off life support Tuesday.
"Katie was an amazing person," said Brandon Newman, a former employee at Ellipsis. "She cared about those kids more than herself."
Newman told vlog that one of the training methods employees are taught at Ellipsis is to follow those who try to leave from about 10 to 15 feet. Newman says he worked there for six to seven months before leaving earlier this spring.
Ellipsis told vlog employees are thoroughly trained on de-escalation techniques and how to handle certain situations. However, Newman says the training doesn't always match what staff members sometimes face.
"You're taught to restrain both wrists, but they're always kicking and punching and things like that," Newman said. "It's really hard to get a hold of them without seeming like you're hurting them or you're getting hurt."
Newman said he would go back, but there would have to be a lot of different precautions taken to prevent something like what unfortunately happened to Galloway-Menke from happening again.
He said he doesn't blame the youths in the center for their behavior.
"I was assaulted," Newman said. "I personally didn't press charges just because I was one of those kids. I understand where they're coming from. Some of them are just a little too far gone."
Newman told vlog that what keeps employees coming back to Ellipsis regardless of feeling like they're in danger is how much they truly care.
"A lot of people that work there were in and out of the system, were abused, were kids like the ones that we work with," Newman said. "It's really just trying to help the future of our country."
vlog did reach out to Ellipsis on Friday. A spokesperson reaffirmed what they shared earlier this week, stating they are offering support to the youth and staff at the center as they navigate this situation.