Charges possible after Ladoga Academy incident

By BOB SCOTT
bscott@journalandcourier.com
August 27, 2007

LADOGA - A fight Saturday night turned into a minor riot at the Ladoga Academy, a residential treatment center for 88 emotionally troubled girls ages 10 to 18.

Julie Harmon, the facility director, said today that four girls were the source of the fracas, which included brawling with staff members and trashing the inside of the center.

"Occasionally the girls act out, that is the nature of the beast," Harmon said. "Some of the girls are not emotionally or mentally stable."

After the riot, the four girls "got out of the building," she said. She said a few girls and staff members received "bumps and bruises."

Harmon said the Ladoga Academy is not a correctional institute. Girls are placed there through the probation and education departments or through the Indiana Department of Child Services.

She did not have an estimate of the damage, which included ripping wires out of the ceiling, destroying numerous ceiling tiles and spraying fire extinguishers.

Charges are being considered by the Montgomery County prosecutor's office, she said.The four girls were returned to the academy, Harmon said.

"We hope charges are will be filed," she said.