DNA may explain Florida reform school deaths

Dec. 10, 2012: White metal crosses mark graves at the cemetery of the former Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna, Florida.Reuters

TAMPA, Fla. Researchers on Friday collected DNA samples from family members of boys who died decades ago at a now-defunct Florida reform school in the hopes it will match the remains found on the property of the now-closed school.

University of South Florida researchers have used historical documents to verify the deaths of two adult staff members and 96 children ranging in age from 6 to 18 between 1914 and 1973 at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys. Records indicated that 45 individuals were buried on the 1,400-acre tract from 1914 to 1952, while 31 bodies were sent elsewhere for burial.

USF associate professor Erin Kimmerle said it's unclear whether there are more children buried in unmarked graves on the property. And that's only part of the reason why the researchers are seeking DNA from at least seven family members and asking for state permits to exhume the human remains on the site.

"We're bringing a last measure of human dignity for these boys," said Kimmerle, adding that if there is a DNA match between surviving family members and the remains that it will "fulfill a human right" for the families to bury their loved ones as they wish.

Richard Varnadoe, who is 84, is one such relative. He allowed a Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputy to swab the inside of his cheek for DNA Friday in hopes of solving the mystery of what happened to his older brother, Thomas.

"Hopefully we'll get him back," said Varnadoe, who lives in Salt Springs, Fla.

Thomas Varnadoe went to the school when he was 13 and "he lasted 34 days," said Richard Varnadoe. School officials told the family that Thomas died of pneumonia, but they never believed the story and never got his body.

"It devastated the whole family," said Varnadoe. "Dad, mother, my sister."

The school was located in Marianna about 60 miles west of Tallahassee and was once the nation's largest reform school, with 698 youths. It closed in 2011.

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DNA may explain Florida reform school deaths