KTIV NewsChannel 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports10 years after death at South Dakota reform school
Member Center:
Associated Press - July 20, 2009 6:15 AM ET
PLANKINTON, S.D. (AP) - The physical and programming changes are noticeable at the former State Training School in Plankinton since 14-year-old Gina Score of Canton died 10 years ago Tuesday of overheating after a mandatory run.
Executive Director Fred Bettner of what is now the Aurora Plains Academy said instead of a military style boot camp, counselors work with juveniles who have substance abuse, mental health and sexual issues.
A jury acquitted two state employees of wrongdoing in Score's death, but it prompted the state to close the reform school in 2001.
Clinicare took over the center in 2006 and opened the academy in 2007.
Bettner said the academy averages a capacity of 57 to 60 juveniles, just under its capacity of 66. They're all from South Dakota.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Click here to track storms right down to your street with KTIV.com's new interactive radar and storm tracking tools.
