New Waco State Home history depicts decades of abuse, cover-ups

For nearly six decades, the state of Texas plucked tens of thousands of children out of troubled homes and sent them to a Waco campus that was fenced in by chain link and barbed wire.

[Liz Westbrook]

Haven't gotten the book yet, but I was one of the kids in the State Home. Yes, there were good times. I met a lot if sweet people who I had good relationships with. Some have remained friends over the years, some closer than others. We went on outings,etc. But don't believe anyone who tells you that there were not beatings, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. Not everyone was beaten. But I honestly believe everyone was emotionally abused. There were a FEW dorm parents who had some compassion for the children and treated them with dignity. Not many. Not everyone wanted their story to be in the book. Some just want to forget. Some have tried to put it completely out of their minds. Some just don't want to talk about it. A lot are ashamed. There are some who were not "picked on". Most just want to go on with their lives now as best as they can. Some are not able to live a "normal" life because of some of the abuse before and during the State Home years. We all have emotional baggage from that time. Some good. Some bad. The only other thing I want to say is this. No one could tell any outsiders about what was happening because if you were found out, you would be punished and nobody wanted a beating. And there wasn't anyone you could trust.

[Rose Smith]

i am looking for information about my dad...Eddie Arnold Pitts.... he would not talk about his stay at Waco..i think he would of been there in the 1930"s..he was born in 1929..he said he thought he had a brother and a sister...if anyone has any information plz contack me at my email addy above

[Rose Smith]

i live in clinton mo..

[Rose Smith]

my email addy is [e-mail]..

[mrtintman34]

Hi...my mom and had six siblings that went ther back on 2/26/70....she ran away a couple of times...she left in 1/23/76 and went back in 5/26/76....she was sixteen....petite....brown eyes....she was pregnant with me....had me 7/16/76....if anyone was there in those times....could u get in contact with me at [e-mail]....and help a mother in son reunite....i never met her....im trying my best to find her....please....serious inquires ONLY PLEASE....I NEED TO SEE MY MOTHER ASAP....ITS HURTING ON THE INSIDE NOT TO KNOW WHO BIRTHED ME....PLEASE CONTACT ME...THANKS

[Paul Salazar]

I read the stories and I too was there from 1965 to 1969.Anybody remembers me please let me know soon!

[Grady See]

I was in the home from 1950-55. I had a brother Virgil See, and two sisters Neil & Emma See. I don't remember names very well, but if you remember my brother or me I would like to hear from you. I would also like to get more information about the alum reunion. you can contact me at [e-mail]

[Shipley]

I am trying to find out if my aunt or uncle were ever in the Waco State home. I know that one of them was put in a home in Waco in the late 30's- early 40's.

Their names are Audrey Nadine Shipley
Cliford Henry Shipley
I was told that they were deaf and Blind but dont know for sure

If anyone has any info or advice on how I could find out anything please let me know.

Thank you in advance

Rebecca
[e-mail]

[clmj]

Paul Salazar wrote:

I read the stories and I too was there from 1965 to 1969.Anybody remembers me please let me know soon!

me and two of my sisters was in the home from 1970 to 1976

[clmj]

me and two of my sister was in the home from 1971 to 1976