Mark Davis

Mark Davis, a 13-year-old boy from Baltimore, died in 1885 while held at the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children in Cheltenham, Maryland, a juvenile institution for Black children. He was buried in a wooded burial ground across the street from the facility, where a small headstone bears his name and age. Researchers with Georgetown University's Center for Youth Justice identified the site, and relatives visiting it have read his name aloud.

Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined

Sources (2)

• Over 1,000 children are buried at juvenile detention centers nationwide APR | Alabama Public Radio (also kawc.org, Connecticut Public, Delaware Public Media, NPR, Georgia Public Broadcasting, Hawaii Public Radio, NPR Illinois, Iowa Public Radio, WAMC, Montana Public Radio, New Hampshire Public Radio, South Carolina Public Radio, Utah Public Radio, Wyoming Public Media, Kansas Public Radio, Maine Public), October 7, 2026
• Over 1,000 children are buried at juvenile detention centers nationwide WAMU (also NPR), October 12, 2026