Two more bodies buried at a notorious Florida reform school were identified through DNA samples. Investigations revealed that the Dozier reform school staffs were not involved in the students' deaths.
Anthropologists have identified two new bodies discovered at a cemetery in the Arthur G. Dozier reform school in Marianna, Florida. Daily Mail reported that the bodies were recognized as Loyd Dutton and Grady Huff. Dutton died about a year after entering the reform school in 1918, possibly from influenza outbreak. Huff was sent to Dozier for larceny and died from acute kidney complications in 1935.
Presumptive identifications of the corpses were done by matching DNA samples. Huff's remains matched DNA specimens from his cousins. Anthropologists also used school records, artifacts, and witness statements to name the bodies.
The Tampa Bay Times reported that the investigation was started by anthropologists from the University of South Florida, led by Erin Kimmerle. The project followed after former school students and employees reported abuse and beatings in the school in 2008. They said that school staff tortured students and numerous boys mysteriously disappeared or were buried in the school premises.
So far, USF anthropologists have identified 1/3 of the 51 bodies lying in the school cemetery known as "Boot Hill." Michael Littles, a former Dozier student, said that guards in the past told them that it was the place where bad students were put away.
The project has positively identified 7 bodies via DNA matches and 14 presumptive identifications were made. The researchers used ground-penetrating radar to locate bodies extending far beyond the marked graveyard in the Dozier reform school.
WJHG said that no Dozier school staff was involved in any of the students' deaths. According to the report, the next steps to be taken in the project include sending the remains and artifacts to families of the positively identified boys (Sam Morgan, Loyd Dutton, and Grady Huff) and determining 14 presumptive identified corpses and other unidentified bodies.
The Arthur G. Dozier School was formerly called Florida State Reform School, Florida Industrial School for Boys, and Florida School for Boys. It originally opened on January 1, 1990 and was notorious for complaints of torture, rapes, and other kinds of abuse. A fire and pneumonia outbreaks occurred in the school, taking the lives of many school employees and students.
