Police records show that officers have responded nearly 1,000 times in the past three years to Ellipsis Iowa, a juvenile treatment center in Iowa, where a tragic incident recently occurred. A staff member, Kathleen Galloway-Menke, was assaulted by a 15-year-old resident on May 8, resulting in her sustaining brain damage. Despite undergoing emergency brain surgery, Galloway-Menke tragically passed away after life support was removed.
The incident has raised questions about the training provided to staff at Ellipsis in dealing with potentially dangerous clients. The 15-year-old involved had a history of violence and had reportedly made threats against Galloway-Menke in the past.
Ellipsis, which was formed in August 2021 through a merger of two nonprofit organizations, serves over 750 youths and their families daily, offering residential care, treatment, counseling, and other services. The facility in Johnston houses young people on court orders.
Police calls to Ellipsis include numerous reports of runaways and assaults, with 251 runaways and 31 assaults reported last year alone. Despite the high number of police calls, Police Chief Dennis McDaniel refrained from criticizing Ellipsis, stating that the organization has been receptive to feedback and actively engaged in addressing community concerns.
Following the tragic incident, Ellipsis has pledged to enhance safety and security measures in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. The organization maintains that the attack was an isolated event and is working to protect both youth and staff.
The assault on Galloway-Menke occurred when the 15-year-old resident left the center without permission. Staff members followed protocol by keeping a distance from the teenager, as established by Ellipsis. Despite efforts to keep the runaway in sight until law enforcement arrived, the teen suddenly turned and shoved Galloway-Menke, causing her to hit her head on the concrete.
Tragically, Galloway-Menke, a dedicated staff member with 25 years of experience as a special education aide, succumbed to her injuries. Her passing has deeply affected her two daughters, aged 20 and 25, who were very close to their mother.
The 15-year-old responsible for the attack will face criminal charges in connection with the incident.
