Records Show Iowa Center Made Nearly 1,000 Calls to Police in 3 Years Prior to Teen Killing Staffer

A tragic incident at an Iowa juvenile treatment center has left the community reeling after a staff member was killed by a 15-year-old resident. Kathleen Galloway-Menke, a 50-year-old mother of two daughters, was assaulted on May 8 at Ellipsis Iowa, where she had worked for a year. Despite undergoing emergency brain surgery, Galloway-Menke tragically passed away after life support was removed.

The 15-year-old responsible for the attack had a violent history and had made previous threats against Galloway-Menke, according to her family’s attorney, Trever Hook. Questions have been raised about the facility’s training for staff dealing with potentially dangerous clients.

Ellipsis, which serves over 750 youths and their families daily, stated that its employees are trained in de-escalation techniques and handling various situations safely. However, police records reveal that officers have responded nearly 1,000 times to the center in the past three years, including 676 calls for runaways and 72 reported assaults.

The tragic outcome has prompted Ellipsis to work with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to enhance safety and security measures at their facilities. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by staff at juvenile centers, where they work with young people who can be dangerous. Galloway-Menke’s death has left her daughters devastated, highlighting the profound impact of this senseless tragedy on her family and the community.