Fresh (and Not So Fresh) Angles in TYC Scandal
March 2nd, 2007 at 3:38 pm
More front page reporting this morning on the TYC sex abuse scandal we broke on our website on February 17 (and which appeared in the Feb. 23 print version of TO.) As we predicted in this space last week, the Dallas Morning News broke the story this morning of another two-year old sex abuse incident that was never prosecuted or reported on in the press, this one at the Ron Jackson State School in the central Texas town of Brownwood.
 The Statesman also ran a front page story, with an “exclusive” report about evidence that an internal agency review had been doctored to protect agency brass. Observer readers will recall that we already reported on this in our first story (”Hidden in Plain Sight”), published two weeks ago. Statesman reporter Mike Ward got a copy of an early, unofficial draft of the agency review, which contained a particularly damning account from an administrator named Melody Vidaurri. That account, Ward reported, was missing from the official, edited version of the review.
 It certainly was, and that’s not all. Here’s what we reported on February 17:
In fact, certain sections of the review, written by a TYC inspector from North Texas, seemed crafted to deflect blame from administrators in Austin. One particularly dubious assertion stands out: “No report of Mr. Brookins frequent, private, visits with youth after hours was ever directly made [to Austin staff].” This statement seems to discount communications documented earlier in the report, such as caseworker Billy Hollis’ August 2004 e-mail to Executive Director Harris, and human resource administrator Kristin Pottenger’s November 2004 e-mail to Austin. Curiously, the review lacks an account of an interview conducted by the inspector that seems particularly damaging to Austin staff. According to a summary of the interview obtained by the Observer, security coordinator Melody Vidaurri, who accompanied Barnard on her visit to the facility in February 2005, told the inspector that “numerous students and staff reported concerns about Ray Brookins’ conduct with students, including rumors of him engaging in sexual behavior with students.” Vidaurri reported that she shared this information with Barnard as they were driving to the airport on their way back to Austin. “According to Ms. Vidaurri,” the summary states, “Ms. Barnard informed her that these allegations had already been investigated and there was nothing to it.”
Why was it so easy for Vidaurri to collect these reports, unsubstantiated though they may have been, on this visit in February 2005, when Barnard had been able to discover nothing during her trip the previous fall? And why was Vidaurri’s claim to have informed Barnard of her concerns not included in the final report? Tim Savoy, the public information officer for TYC, said Vidaurri’s comments were not included because there was no “independent substantiation” that the conversation with Barnard took place.
Meanwhile, the Statesman reported this afternoon, Senate leaders have yet to convince the House to go along with their recommendation for conservatorship for the agency. Waco Democrat Jim Dunnam blamed House leadership, whom he suggested were trying to protect Governor Perry, who remains opposed to conservatorship. Houston Democrat Sylvester Turner warned TYC officials not to destroy documents and their were numerous calls for the Texas Rangers to investigate other state schools. This story has now consumed the lege for a week and shows no signs of slowing.
March 2nd, 2007 at 4:43 pm
You have got to be kidding me. Melody Vidaurri is only out to make a name for herself. She was that way at Giddings when I was there. She is a vindictive little person who resorts to saying some pretty outlandish things to retailiate against anyone who disagrees with her or her actions. I can’t think of one single person who has ever said anything nice about her. She is a very good example of an administrator who attempts to intimidate people. The problem is, everyone knows she’s a joke and just dismisses her empty threats. I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t have some conflicts with those she supposedly reported these allegations of suspected abuse. She lacks credibility.
March 4th, 2007 at 12:55 am
Well I don’t know Ms. Vidaurri, but she is on target about the Pyote State School. Ray Brookins ran WTSS as if he was the only one that mattered, forget what a caseworker was doing or a JCO 6 or 5 was working on with a youth, he wanted 100% control so that he could run his perverted game and not be caught. He had his staff pets that would cover for him so they to would get special treatment, I am sick of hearing people say that anyone saying anything now is just ex- employees getting revenge or whatever, all I know is at the time I know reports were made and never reached the top… I wonder why? Hmm???? Well Ray Brookins will hopefully go to Prison for his crimes against these boys and maybe he can be resocialized!! Oh by the way, to the last post It does’nt matter if Ms. Vidaurri lacks any credibility just ask anyone who worked at WTSS during this time….. This stuff really happend! Night security sure the hell knows it !!!!!!!!!!
March 4th, 2007 at 1:25 am
Well it is obvious these things went on at WTSS and that is a trajedy. I pray for those boys whose lives were so adversely effected. And I pray for positive changes in the agency. There are good people who work there and want to make a difference in the lives of young people. God puts us where he wants us and he is responsible for our successes and promotions and anytime those things happen outside of our prayers and his guidance then it wasn’t his doing. One thing that concerns me is how these things can go on and on for so long and people let them happen and then go “yeah this play is corrupt”. You could have my job before I would knowingly put a youth out there to be abused. I work for TYC. God put me in my position and I will NOT let someone take advantage of these kids.
If as staff you won’t stand up for these kids, would you even stand up for your own kids? Yes they have committed crimes and hurt others, but so have some of ours they just haven’t got caught. Regardless of how you see them, they are our future……..Consider that.
I just encourage staff like some who have observed or knew about this type of behavior and didn’t take a stand in the past and those presently employed to TAKE A STAND AND GET A BACKBONE, don’t tolerate misbehavior towards these kids.