Documents
Kurn Hattin Homes for Children Regulatory Investigation
DCF Special Investigations Unit
Stephen Harrison, Executive Director, Kurn Hattin Homes: The Regulatory Investigation that the Vermont Department for Children and Families, Residential Licensing & Special Investigations Unit conducted regarding an allegation that your 15-year-old foster child solicited inappropriate digital photographs of a 12-year-old female former resident of Kurn Hattin Homes. It was also alleged that your [REDACTED] attempted to solicit inappropriate photos of a 13-year-old Kurn Hattin resident who reportedly refused to provide the photographs. It became clear that he did engage in some level of inappropriate online contact with at least two female students of Kurn Hattin while under your care.
Licensing Violations: Residential Treatment Program Licensing Regulation 401, "A Residential Treatment Program shall not hire, or continue to employ, any person whose health, behavior, actions or judgement might endanger the physical or emotional well-being of the children/youth served." ... Kurn Hattin DCF Special Investigations Report Non-Compliance
Finally, it was noted that [REDACTED], who is no longer a student at Kurn Hattin, was working in the Kurn Hattin student cafeteria and, in this capacity, has had ongoing contact with [REDACTED], which she stated was upsetting to her. The situation was complicated by the fact that you were a foster parent for the child as well as the Executive Director of Kurn Hattin Homes. This problematic dynamic was especially noted in your questioning regarding her allegations in a manner that blurred the boundaries between your role as foster parent and Executive Director. .... DCF Letter to Kurn Hattin Director
Dartmouth College Students Report Sexual Abuse at Kurn Hattin
'Realities and Patterns of Childhood Sexual Abuse' are considered rumors?
Memo To: Files, DCS - Kurn Hattin Schools
From: Jan Tarjan
Re: Volunteer reports of allegations of sexual abuse at Kurn Hattin
Date: 01/16/1989
Last week several children at the Kurn Hattin schools reported to Dartmouth volunteers that sexual abuse had occurred at the schools. Our chairperson, Andrea Riesman, called the school to inquire about the rumors, and unable to talk with the director, was informed by the secretary that the allegations had been made, and that there has been newspaper reports to that effect. Andrea and Sue Shons, our Volunteer Coordinator came to me for direction about how to proceed.
I called the Director, Bob Morse, and reported our concerns; asked if the reports were under official investigation. Bob was very forthcoming. He said the allegations were made after Thanksgiving and had already been investigated by SRS and by the State Attorney General’s Office. The trial had just completed, and sentencing was imminent.
Bob immediately offered to gather our volunteers, and together with staff person Paul Quinney he would explain the situation, reassure the volunteers, and help them know how to answer questions from Kurn Hattin children.
Andre will write to KH volunteers explaining the rumors and letting them know of up-coming information and support. She will mention to them their obligation to report any new allegation that come to their attention, and offer the Tucker Foundation as a place to help them report it.
I have asked Sue to pull together an in-service training for KH volunteers in particular, but open to all others, on the realities and patterns of childhood sexual abuse.
Blitzmail cc: Andrea Riesman, Sue Shons, Mickie Rosenstein, James Breeden .... Dartmouth Kurn Hattin Child Abuse Memo
Kurn Hattin In A Dartmouth Bag
'Because Kurn Hattin has enjoyed such success for many years'
Richard K. Fox
John L. Mitman
RE: New England Kurn Hattin Homes
DATE: June 13, 1973
John,
The purpose of this memorandum is to put in writing the essence of our conversation by telephone this day (June 12).
.... Staff, many of whom I know personally, and facilities are first-rate. And Kurn Hattin does an outstanding job of marshaling financial resources (both for operations ana endowment).
Because Kurn Hattin has enjoyed such success for many years, because their staff are not lonely professionals struggling unnoticed, I must reluctantly confess that it does not seem to meet the qualifications as a site for Dartmouth Tucker Fellows.
However, I would urge you to contact the director (John Watson), arrange a visit, so that you have this in your bag the next time one of your widow friends wants an institution mentioned in her will! .... Dartmouth College Widows
“How hasn’t someone noticed?”
Forensic Interview with alleged child victim resident of Kurn Hattin
During another incident, and were in the stairwell and “[REDACTED] made me touch his private parts” and continued by saying he took “my hand and put it down his pants.” He disclosed [REDACTED] threatened him about telling anyone again. further explained that he thought he would get in trouble or be “labeled as gay or bisexual” if people found out. [REDACTED] described another incident when he had just gotten out of the shower and had his underwear on. [REDACTED] came into the bathroom and put his mouth on his penis and told to “let me suck your penis.” he reported that this happened “a few times” and he was scared he would get in trouble for letting him do it or not doing anything about it. [REDACTED] also started rumors that he is gay.
Another incident occurred when was getting out of the shower and he was in his underwear, brushing his teeth. [REDACTED] came in and pulled down his underwear and said “he put his penis in my butt. It hurt. I yelled and jumped.” Then said he ran into his room. He said he did yell “No” and tried to make a noise “so someone could see him doing something.” [REDACTED] finished this account by reflecting, “How hasn’t someone noticed?” When school began again this year, “things started happening.” The last incident that he described was when [REDACTED] “came inside my mouth and said swallow it.” [REDACTED] said he didn’t and spit it out. This happened in the bathroom of Turrell Cottage and [REDACTED] was “obviously masturbating.” he described the substance in his mouth as “it was warm and gross and salty but plain." .... Interview With Vermont State Police
The Touching Club
Residential Treatment Program Regulatory Investigation Kurn Hattin Homes for Children
It’s called ‘the club’ Parent kids call it that. They met at the white rock down by the playground. They were touching each other’s private parts. Private parts were touched pants down. Penis was touched, butt was touched. Under the table at Parent Cottage. The house parent was there in the office or cooking breakfast. Everyone wanted to do it. [REDACTED] didn’t want to do it, he was just watching. My penis touched their bum, their penis touched my bum. I thought it was disgusting. I did it because I didn't want to lose any friends. That’s what makes me an easy target. I’m pretty sure the club’s done. The camera either didn’t work or was turned off.” I asked if he did anything with anyone who did not want to participate. [REDACTED] stated, “Yes, he was in the club. He said he didn’t want to, he said stop, because the house parent was coming. I wish I could go back in time and stop myself from doing it."
Kurn Hattin is found in violation of regulation 201
“A Residential Treatment Program shall ensure children/youth the following rights: To receive services that promotes their growth and development; to be free from harm by caregivers or others.”
Kurn Hattin is found in violation of regulation 601
“A Residential Treatment Program shall provide adequate supervision appropriate to the treatment and developmental needs of children/youth."
Kurn Hattin is found in violation of regulation 508
"A Residential Treatment Program shall accept and serve only those children/youth whose needs can be met by the services provided by the program." ....
'He put his private in their bum-bum'
“... she would kill them in their sleep with a knife”
Vermont DCF Residential Licensing and Special Investigations
On 4/02/2019, Family Services Division Centralized Intake and Emergency Services (CIES) received from Kurn Hattin , alleging that had tried to kiss and touch alleged child victim. Appended information was added on 4/11/2019 when further disclosed that had touched her vagina with her fingers and asked to masturbate with a toothbrush while she was naked. and were roommates during the incident back in February and didn’t feel safe to disclose what happened until [REDACTED] was discharged from Kurn Hattin. On 4/09/2019, CIES received [REDACTED] from Kurn Hattin alleging that she had tried to kiss and touch alleged child victim.
Appended information was added on 4/12/2019 when victim’s mother, called CIES with additional information that [REDACTED] had “stuck a toothbrush in [REDACTED] and that meant “in her vagina.” The mother also reported that her daughter said [REDACTED] had touched her numerous times while she was in the shower. She said it was “gross and perverted.” On 4/9/2019, CIES received from Kurn Hattin [REDACTED], alleging that [REDACTED] tried to kiss and touch the alleged child victim. The other students shared that they didn’t disclose the incidents sooner because they were scared to get in trouble and [REDACTED] said she would kill them in their sleep with a knife.
[REDACTED] said that [REDACTED] "sticks toothbrushes up her thing ...up her private area." She called Kurn Hattin a "school for mental kids" and that "things always get a little crazy." She transitioned to say that her houseparent is not nice and she can get in trouble for things she didn't do. She also alleged that Ms. [REDACTED] put her hands on her [REDACTED] and yelled at her. She said that she felt unwanted there ... and also shared that her medications were taken away so she couldn't sleep. She said that whe has separation anxiety from mom and "Ms. [REDACTED] wouldn't let me have phone calls. I was never allowed to call, only mom could call in." .... DCF Regulatory Violations
Defendant: Mark W. DAVIS
Vermont State Police Report
Accused Mark Wadsworth Davis touched and fondled the genital areas of several juvenile males. Morrison Cottage at the Kurn Hattin Boys School, Westminster, Vermont. Morse, Robert K. (School Director)
This case is a Lewd or Lascivious Conduct investigation involving numerous juvenile male students who are residing at the Kurn Hattin Boys School in Westminster, Vermont. As of yet, seven of the victims have been interviewed and verified that the accused did in fact touch and fondle their genital area. There are allegedly at least ten other juvenile male victims who have either been at the school in the past or are currently at the school. Attempts are being made to interview these victims also. The accused was interviewed, and confessed to the above mentioned offenses. He was processed and released on a citation with conditions and is scheduled to appear at the District Court in Brattleboro, Vermont on January 8, 1990.
On December 18, 1989 at approximately 1100 hours this officer and Dennis Coffman of Vermont Social Services responded to the Kurn Hattin Boys School in Westminster, Vermont in reference to a Lewd or Lascivious Conduct with a Child complaint. We met with the school director, Robert K. Morse and received the following information. .... At Least 17 Boys Molested
Testimony Of A Child Molester
Mark W. Davis Deposition
On December 15, 1989 at approximately 1100 hours Mr. Morse received a complaint from two resident students regarding the fact that the Defendant, Mark W. DAVIS molested them. It was learned that Mark W. Davis is husband to Nancy DAVIS, who is a house parent at a campus residence know as Morisson Cottage. The DAVIS reside at said residence with ten of the students and Nancy DAVIS is responsible for supervising them.It was also learned that Mark W. DAVIS was employed with the Kurn Hattin School for approximately four years, but resigned in December 1988 following an investigation where he was alleged to use excessive force on a student. .... The number of victims would depend on their availability at Kurn Hattin
Kurn Hattin Staff Child Sexual Abuse
Boyscout Leader Mark W. Davis
Posted on 16-April-2015
Anonymous: January 24, 2012 4:59 AM At kurn hattin home for boys in westminster, vermont; children had to defend themselves from the physical abuse and forced sexual advances of other boys and house parents. Every day had fear in it.The staff and house parent covered up the abuse or ignored it. Much of the staff should never have been in such positions. They should have been in mental institutions or prison.There was a song they made the Boys sing there: Cheer for kurn hattin, to us so dear we'll cherish fond memories so far we roam. Memories ... perhaps, but not fond.
Chris says: 1/26/2009 at 6:07 pm Kurn Hattin has a long history of abuse. Not only from the house parents and teachers but often from the other boys themselves. Both consenting and forced homosexuality were commonplace there. Sexual favors were frequently demanded or offered in place of physical abuse. Whether Mr. Shorey experienced any of that there, I can't say. I can only say what was. It was a surreal world there in the past. Kurn Hattin has indeed left a legacy for children.
Susan says: 3/14/2008 at 3:27 pm New England Kurn Hattin Homes was a perfect breeding ground for this guy. It was a warehouse for boys who were subjected to constant abuse in every imaginable way. There was always a constant state of fear in that place. You had to protect yourself from everyone in a place where trust was imaginary and always violated. Kurn Hattin should be held accountable for their past legacy for children. ..... Kurn Hattin Homes Abuse
Mark Davis: Cheshire County Superior Court
Posession of Child Sexual Abuse Images
Notice of Arraignment
Case Name: State v. Mark W Davis
Case Number: 213-2021-CR-00030
Mark W Davis has been charged with the commission of the crime(s) that are listed in the enclosed indictment(s)/complaints(s) filed in this court. ..... Learn More
Indictment
The Grand Jurors for the State of New Hampshire, upon their oath, present that MARK DAVIS of HINSDALE, NEW HAMPSHIRE did commit the crime of POSSESSION OF CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGES contrary
to RSA 649-a:3 a CLASS A FELONY ON OR ABOUT APRIL 12, 2018 IN HINSDALE, NEW HAMPSHIRE In that:
Charge 1
He did knowingly possess or control visual representation of child engaging in sexually explicit conduct, to wit, an image of males approximately 6-8 years of age with the penis of one
male in the mouth of .....
Learn More
Charge 2
He did knowingly possess or control visual representation of child engaging in sexually explicit conduct, to wit, an image showing 10-12 year old male, squatting with no clothes on
exposing his anus scrotum .....
Learn More
Charge 3
He did knowingly possess or control visual representation of child engaging in sexually explicit conduct, to wit, an image of male child sitting in chair with an erection looking at
computer with an image of the lower half of another male child .....
Learn More
Charge 4
He did knowingly possess or control visual representation of child engaging in sexually explicit conduct [manufacture], to wit, an image showing three 10-12 year old males sitting naked on bed with
at least one male lewdly exposing his genitalia, .....
Learn More