Hello my name is Danielle, my child was residing at Rock River Academy for almost 8 and a half months, the following is my testimony on what occurred within the months my child ( I will call "A") resided at Rock River. What prompted you to send your child to a facility? It was not ultimately my decision to send my child so far away from home, I wanted to keep her close, yet all the programs constantly were denying my child due to her behavior. It was finally discussed between myself and the current place my child was residing at and also CPS decision as well as that was the only facility that was capable as well as accepting my child. How was your child at the time? At the time "A" was all for going to Rock River Academy, we sat and talked and "A" agreed this was a new beginning for her and needed the help. How did you find the facility and what did they say about your child? I did not find the facility CPS (Child Protective Services) found the facility as well as the help of "A" psychologist at her placement at that time. I was told that this was a good placement that "A" would get all the help that was needed. What date did you send your child? My CPS (Child Protective Services) worker, Bryn Hunt, started talking about Rock River Academy as of May 9, 2013. The decision was not finalized until May 31, 2013. My child was sent to Rock River Academy June 6.2013. I had met her at the airport at 6 am to say goodbye. Sometime between May 31, and June 4,2013, I received a phone call from the head coordinator Kristin Galanger. Mrs. Galanger had called to ask if I had any concerns or questions about "A" being placed there, as well as what things should be worked on with "A". I had stated that getting what ever was inside my daughters belly out, helping her realize reality from fantasy also. I was than told that my daughter would call once she got situated. I had asked if there was facebook allowed at the facility and was told no, as well as there was no cell phones. I was also told that "A" is allowed 2 15 minute phone calls a day. During the course of the time your child was at the facility, what was the staff telling you about your child? I did not speak with staff during the course of my child's stay. I had called the facility June 25, 2013 and left a message with the CEO Kristin Galanger pertaining to why "A" hasn't called in 4 days, I did not receive a voice, I had received Mrs. Galenger voicemail. I received a call back finally on June 28, 2013, from Mrs. Galanger explaining that "A" had got into a fight with another child, but that it was not the 1st time,it was actually the third incident in 22 days. The police were called and staff had talked the other client out of pressing charges, "A" was than moved off the floor. I was than given "A" therapist name Kevin Thomas who had left a message for. Still never received a call back. My child remained at Rock River Academy for 8 and a half months. The first month I spoke with "A" 14 days out of 24. The 2nd month I spoke with"A" 5 days out of 31. The 3rd month I spoke with"A" 1 day out of 31. The 4th month I spoke with "A" 0 days out of 30. The 5th month I spoke with"A" 0 days out of 31. The 6th month I spoke with "A" 0 days out of 30. The 7th month I spoke with "A" 2 days out of 31. The 8th month I spoke with "A" 0 days out of 31. The last half month I spoke with "A" 1 day out of 28. On July 6, 2013 I had called again the facility (the residents number that Mrs. Galager had given me in case I needed to reach "A") to find out what was going on with my daughter and again no answer. July 8, 2013 "A" called me and we did have a small argument on why I would not allow her father to visit. On July 17, 2013 again I called Mrs. Galager I had not heard from "A" in 8 days, left a message. On July 21, 2013 "A" called and we spoke for 30 minutes all was good and "A" stated I would get a call tomorrow. On July 28, as well as July 29, 2013 I called Rock River Academy to find out why I hadn't heard from "A" in 6 days and again my messages went unanswered as well as my numerous phone calls to Rock River Academy. On July 29, 2013 I called my CPS (Child Protective Service) worker Jennifer Sass, I had explained that I have not heard from "A" and that I was not receiving any communication with the academy every time I called. I was told through Jennifer Sass, that "A" would be calling. On July 30, 2013 I contacted CPS (Child Protective Service) Jennifer Sass again and still no call from "A". On August 7, 2013 I was told by Jennifer Sass CPS (Child Protective Services) that she would be visiting "A" at Rock River Academy, and that she would contacted me after speaking with "A". On August 8, 2013, I did receive a call from "A". I was also on speaker phone with "A" psychologist Kevin Thomas, I had asked "A" why I hadn't heard from her and was told "A" didn't feel like it. I was than speaking with Kevin Thomas and was told that my child was angry with me and didn't want to talk with me. That maybe in the near future but right not "A" is angry. On August 26, 2013 I received a letter from "A". I had wrote her back and mailed out the 28th of August. The same day my daughter had messaged me on facebook which I found strange since I was told there was social media allowed. The only communication I was having was between CPS (Child Protective Services) Jennifer Sass who I would call to fine out updates on "A". I was told by Jennifer Sass that on September 23, 2013 "A" had started to refuse her medication. On December 3, 2013 I had received a call from "A" with her psychologist in the background, I was on speaker phone with "A" and Kevin Thomas, where over the next 5 to 10 minutes "A" was cursing, yelling and screaming being extremely irate. I had warned "A" that if she continued this behavior I would hang up. I did hang up and received a call back from "A" again same behavior. How is that therapeutic for "A", the psychologist allowed. On December 20,2013, Jennifer Sass CPS (Child Protective Services) had visited "A" again, I was told that "A" was still not complying with facility rules and regulation. On December 28. 2013 I had received a 3-way phone call from "A" and her father plus her older brother cursing me out and being disrespectful. I had hung up the phone, and when they continued to call allowed to go to voice mail where they continued there irate behavior. On December 30, 2013 I called Rock River Academy left a message for the CEO Kristin Galanger. I also had spoken with the floor supervisor Jordan, I had explained what occurred on the 28th and was told that the staff on has no control over what "A" does on the phone. The staff dials the phone number that is the child's chart and goes from there, yet if staff is not watching the child can hang up and call whoever they want since there is no supervision. I had also contacted my CPS (Children Protective Service) worker, which at the time was on vacation and spoke with Doreen Hutcheson who was handling my case workers clients as she was away, I was told that she would contact the facility and find out what's going on. On January 6,2013 I contacted CPS (Child Protective Service) again spoke with Doreen Hutcheson, and again still the questions and concerns were not answered, as well as Rock River Academy CEO never responded to the numerous phone calls and messages I had left. What date did your child come home? My child never came home, "A" walked out of the facility February 14, 2014. On February 27, 2014 I had received a call at 10:32 am from Jennifer Sass (Child Protective Services) asking if I had received a call from Rock River Academy. I was than notified that my daughter was missing. 13 days later and no one had the sense to contact the parent. I had called Rock River Academy at 10:32, 10:33, I had left messages for Kristin Galanger as well as Kevin Thomas, never received a call back. I was told that at 12:48 am on February 14, 2014 my child walked out the front door, staff had followed but when calling for backup they lost my daughters trail. A police report was issued on 2/14/14 as well as a warrant in Rockford, Illinois. Case number 14-016281. Detective Mark Sanders was in charge of the case, (815)987-5878. Detective Klindite was also handling the case, (815)987-5478. I was also given the sheriffs from New York that were handling "A" case. Mr. Mullens (631)8534348, they was a warrant out for "A" in New York. At 11:01 I contacted Rock River Academy and again I was transferred to Kristin Galanger voicemail. I also left a message again for Kevin Thomas "A" psychologist. Again at 12:10 I called and yet again straight to voicemail. At 12:25 PM I called Rock River Academy, spoke with Quad King who stated he was a therapist at Rock River Academy, I had stated to him that I did not want to talk to a machine anymore, that my child has been missing for 13 days and every time I call I am being transferred to a voicemail. I was finally transferred to Erica Hanna, who was "A" case manager as well second in charge of the academy when Kristin Galanger is unavailable. I was told by Mrs. Hanna that she did try and contact me on 2/14/14, but there was no voicemail let alone a missed call. I was also told that they did contact "A" father the same day "A" went a-wall as well as CPS also contacted the father. I also contacted Tony Wilson on 3/11/14, I had spoke with Dave Mowasky who stated he was floor staff and than I was transferred to Mr. Wilson voicemail. I still have not received a phone call back. On 3/11/14 I had contacted the detectives Mr. Klindite who was handling "A" case, I was notified by Mr. Klinbite that in October 2013 "A" had made a report of sexually battery against another client. Again this was never brought to my attention. I had contacted all that I could I had gotten "A" on National Missing and Exploited Children's, data base as well as many others. Also on 3/11/2014 I had contacted DCF (Department of Children and Family Service) in Illinois, I had spoken with Mr. Chase (815)987- 7640. Mr. Chase had explained to me that he monitors the permits as well as that all is up to regulations and standards of the academy. Mr. Chase was rude and constantly was telling me that I was babraiding him. My child has been missing for several days and Im suppose to be sweet. I had explained to Mr. Chase that there was something wrong at the facility on how is it possible that my daughter was able to just walk out the door, he explained to me that he would look into things and contact me back, which again never happened. I was than given some disturbing news through Jennifer Sass (children Protective Services) worker on 3/21/14. I was told that from Mrs. Sass that she received a phone call from "A" father stating that my child was helped through a staff member at the academy. Through further investigation it was brought to my attention that the night before "A" left 2/13/14 "A" had packed her suitcase had given it to a staff worker Vethany Monfortte who took "A" suitcase put in her van and than later on waited down the block for "A". That same day quit her job on 2/14/14. I was also told that staff members at Rock River Academy were friends with family members of the girls there. My child's father received all this through one of the other staff members. Finesse Barber gave my child's father all the information how my child walked out the door of a Mental and Behavioral Facility. Mrs. Barber was friends on the social media site facebook with my child's family, and this is all allowed? I was also told that my child received a I-pad in the mail and was allowed to have it, which in the beginning I was told that, that was not allowed. Staff at Rock River Academy did not take there jobs seriously, and because a lot was overlooked my child was missing behind the hands of a facility that was suppose to be helping my child. I was also told that the facility is under FBI investigation, and I was given the investigators number. Mr. Steven Bloum (630)505-5755. I had called Mr. Bloum and left a message and still no return call. Did you pull your child out of the facility or did they graduate? My child walked out with the help of staff and inadequate supervision. Explain what happened when your child came home. I don't know what happened, my child ran to her father. Did any of the behaviors change? My child was not complying in Rock River, so to be on the outside I highly doubt anything has changed. Did things get worse? Can not answer that. What did your child say about the facility and their time? My child hated it there from the beginning, but in my opinion she was allowed to do as she pleased. Did they witness any abuse? Can not answer. Please add on any additional comments about you or your child, or the facility. My child was discharged from Rock River Academy on 4/20/2014. I had received two sets of belongings from Rock River Academy, the first time it was mainly someone else's stuff allot of nonsense. The second time I received my child's stuff, I was in shock to find a piece of paper signed off by her psychologist removing me my child's phone contacts. That was in July of 2013, I never received a phone call explaining why, the paper work stated my phone was stolen. Meanwhile there was no communication between myself and the facility let alone were any of my phone calls returned, I was never notified of any incidents that occurred with my child. I also found letters from my child stating she was having family therapy over the phone with her father yet every time we went to court the judge would state family therapy with me and my child but I was not getting any. I am more than angered on how Rock River Academy treated me, this facility is suppose to help children with mental and behavioral issues, yet from the 8 and a half months that my child resided there seems as thou it was a retreat. Staff members association with clients families on the outside, staff members helping mentally and behavioral children leave the property. Where does it end? If my child was seriously injured who would be responsible? This is my child that was sent so many miles away for treatment, was told that they could handle but instead they allowed my child to do what she wanted as they closed the door to my face. Someone needs to be held accountable for the actions this facility caused. Something needs to be done before more young girls get hurt. My child may have psychiatric issues, but it is my child and she was there for treatment yet was all ignored. This is unfair and my daughter's life was put in danger behind Rock River Academy.