Since 1939, Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch has been thought of as a safe space for at-risk youth in the Texas Panhandle. But late last year, allegations of abuse--spanning decades--surfaced.
On Friday morning, former Boys Ranch residents gathered in Amarillo to bring attention to what they say happened to them at the faith-based facility.
“I guess after 500 or more licks with the belt, and a few other items, I probably did on my last year, finally, settle down,” said Mike Hogan, who lived at Boys Ranch in the late sixties.
He was one of many former residents asking for restitution from the school at a press conference this morning. The allegations range from psychological abuse to rape and torture.
Boys Ranch officials made no attempts to deny the allegations, but have apologized for any abuse that occurred there between the 1950s and 90s. They say they have been in contact with the purported abuse victims.
Dan Adams, CEO of Boys Ranch, told HPPR: “For any young person, old or young, that feels like they came away from their experience at Boys Ranch worse off than they were when they came, we’re sorry about that.”