Barry Acklev
Barry Acklev was 13 years old when he died at the House of Refuge in Philadelphia, a juvenile facility. According to a Philadelphia newspaper account reprinted in The Somerset Press, officials placed him in a dark, unfurnished solitary cell on bread and water for about a week. The account says he repeatedly pleaded for release. When the cell door was opened again, staff found him hanging, and the paper reported his death as a suicide. The same account says officials knew where his father was, but his father did not learn where his son was until after the death.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). Philadelphia newspapers report he hanged himself with his suspenders after staff kept him in a dark solitary cell on bread and water for about a week despite his repeated pleas for release.
Reported by: Philadelphia newspapers (reporters).