20070417 A CC grand jury has indicted six Bowling Brook employees

A Carroll County grand jury has indicted six Bowling Brook Preparatory School employees

April 17, 2007 – Posted April 22, 2007

Bowling Brook Preparatory School administrator, Brian Hayden released a statement after the grand jury’s decision was announced. Please see it pasted below.

For additional information about the Bowling Brook matter please refer to:

"The high cost of twin tragedies at Bowling Brook" March 14, 2007 Westminster Eagle column

Bowling Brook Preparatory School web site

Bowling Brook: A Sad Tale The Tentacle March 13, 2007

“Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook” Westminster Eagle Winchester Report March 13, 2007

“Soundtrack” blog posts and information about support for Bowling Brook Preparatory Academy, Keymar, Carroll County MD.

Ari Natter, writing for the Carroll County Times and Greg Garland, writing for the Baltimore Sun, both have articles about the Carroll County grand jury bring charges of “reckless endangerment, a misdemeanor punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine,” (Six Bowling Brook employees indicted.)

“Those indicted, all of whom (Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry F.) Barnes said took part in restraining (Isaiah) Simmons, were Michael Paul Corradi, 31, of Middletown, Pa.; Jason Willie Robinson, 25, of Westminster; Mark Richard Sainato, 36, of Keymar; Brian Gerard Kanavy, 31, of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Dennis Harding, 31, of Baltimore; and Shadi Sabbagh, 33, of Keyma,” (6 indicted in death at Bowling Brook.)

Neither paper uses permalinks – so if you are accessing this post at a later date and the links are dead, e-mail me at kevindayhoff AT gmail DOT com and I will update the post…

Time has not been my friend this week, however, I am writing an update to the Bowling Brook matter as both articles, albeit good articles, are lacking in a few details that are critical for the reader to comprehensively understand the Bowling Brook issues. I will be building upon two previous pieces: Bowling Brook: A Sad Tale The Tentacle March 13, 2007 and “Community Rallies behind Bowling Brook” Westminster Eagle Winchester Report March 13, 2007

There continue to be too many logical flaws – too many questions - as to why the storied institution was closed…

But first, for balance – read the commentary on the web site, “Chronicles of Dissent:” “Another needless and tragic death from prone restraint” “20070324 More questions than answers persist about Bowling Brook”

Statement by Bowling Brook Preparatory School Regarding Completion of Grand Jury Proceedings in the Death of Isaiah Simmons

Keymar, MD - April 17, 2007 - The Office of the Carroll County State's Attorney has announced completion of the grand jury proceedings investigating the death of Isaiah Simmons. The entire Bowling Brook community continues to grieve over the loss of Isaiah, and we are disappointed to learn that our former employees will face criminal charges following this unfortunate and tragic loss. Bowling Brook maintains that this incident was unintentional and that these gentlemen have always had the utmost concern for the well being of all of our students without exception throughout their employment.

Bowling Brook administrator Brian Hayden offered the following, "All Bowling Brook team members have always kept the health and welfare of our students at the forefront of our mission to challenge young men to change their behaviors and lead positive and productive lives, and these gentlemen are no exception."

Hayden added, "Hopefully, the truth will bear out through the criminal proceedings and these gentlemen will be found innocent of all charges. We remain in full support and our prayers will be with them and their families throughout the difficult time ahead."

During the past 50 years, Bowling Brook, a nonprofit organization, has achieved an exemplary record of success while serving young men.

Specifically:

79% of students earned their high school diploma while attending Bowling Brook.

In 2006, 159 (89%) of Bowling Brook students successfully graduated from our school. Of these graduates, 49% were accepted to college or technical school, 35% were employed, and 16% transitioned to community-based educational and apprenticeship programs.

In 2006, Bowling Brook students performed over 40,000 hours of

community service across Maryland and 63 students earned Presidential Gold Service Awards for completing over 250 hours of community service.

Bowling Brook closed its doors in early March of this year, but the nonprofit's board of directors and management team remain committed to continuing to fulfill the school's mission in the future. As its path into the future is developed and implemented, the school will update all of its graduates, former employees, and the enormous contingent of supportive community members on its plans.

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