The 46 Missing Children of Hawkins Lab: The J.L. v. Parham Court Case
A Supreme Court case. Real children. A death ruled suicide.
In 1976, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of children institutionalized in Georgia's psychiatric hospitals. The federal court found: 46 children could be optimally cared for in another, less restrictive, non-hospital setting.
J.L. v. Parham, 442 U.S. 584 (1979)
"The District Court found that 46 children in Georgia's mental health system could be 'optimally cared for in another, less restrictive, non-hospital setting.' The Georgia Mental Health Institute housed 26 children at the time of the suit."
Who Was J.L.?
Academic research revealed the identity of one plaintiff: Joey Lister.
JOEY LISTER (J.L.)
Joey Lister's Timeline
The Aftermath
Dr. Joe Mack Lister was tried for criminal child abuse. Witnesses testified he forced Joey to run for hours without water. He admitted tying Joey to his bed. He was convicted and sentenced to 5 years.
WERE YOU THERE?
If you have information about GMHI - if you worked there, were treated there, or know one of the 46 - the author wants to hear from you.
The complete investigation.
Every court document cited.