Late Nights with Nexpo: Episode Summary – "Abandoned by God"

Host: Ballen Studios
Podcast: Late Nights with Nexpo
Episode Title: Abandoned by God
Release Date: March 26, 2025

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "Abandoned by God," Late Nights with Nexpo delves deep into the harrowing history of the Willowbrook State School, a notorious institution in Staten Island, New York. This episode meticulously unravels the series of abuses, ethical violations, and systemic failures that plagued Willowbrook from its inception in 1948 until its closure in 1987. Through vivid storytelling, personal accounts, and investigative revelations, the episode paints a chilling portrait of institutional neglect and malevolence.

The Birth of Willowbrook: A Misguided Promise

The story begins in 1938, amidst New York's struggle with the Great Depression, where families of special needs children faced immense challenges. The New York State Department of Mental Hygiene sought to address the dire situation by constructing a facility to house these vulnerable children. Commissioner Fred McCurdy spearheaded the project, securing a 300-acre tract in Staten Island. Facing immediate resistance from local residents concerned about housing "insane criminals," McCurdy made a critical promise:

Fred McCurdy (narrated, 02:30): "This new mental institution will be a school, not an asylum. It’ll only house children, and they won’t be a danger to anyone."

This assurance quelled opposition, allowing construction to commence. By the late 1940s, the Willowbrook State School stood as a six-story red-brick edifice, initially repurposed as a World War II military hospital before welcoming its first students.

Early Years: Overcrowding and Deceptive Practices

Despite its designation as a "school," Willowbrook was anything but educational. McCurdy's vision quickly unraveled as the institution admitted not only children but also adults with intellectual disabilities. Originally admitting 20 adults to assist with maintenance due to severe understaffing, the population spiraled:

Narrator (00:45): "Within one year, the school's adult population ballooned from 20 to 100, and the child population was set to quintuple."

Families across New York clamored to enroll their children, unaware of the impending crisis. By rapidly expanding beyond its capacity, Willowbrook became a breeding ground for neglect and abuse.

Dr. Harold Berman Takes the Helm

Recognizing the untenable situation, McCurdy transferred leadership to Dr. Harold Berman, a respected physician with aspirations to destigmatize mental illness. Berman promised individualized care and reforms but found himself hindered by inadequate funding and relentless overcrowding.

Dr. Harold Berman (narrated, 15:20): "I want to treat each patient as an individual, to give them the care they deserve."

However, reality starkly contrasted his vision. Staff shortages led to inadequate supervision, resulting in patients going missing and escalating tensions within the wards. By August 1949, the first disappearance occurred, signaling the onset of a dark era for Willowbrook.

Dr. Saul Krugman's Unethical Experiments

In the early 1950s, Dr. Saul Krugman, a physician specializing in hepatitis, approached Willowbrook's administration with a controversial proposal:

Dr. Saul Krugman (narrated, 20:45): "We need test subjects for human trials, and Willowbrook needs a cure."

Berman, desperate for resources, consented, allowing Krugman to use Willowbrook patients for his hepatitis research. Krugman's methods were flagrantly unethical—infecting unsuspecting, mentally disabled children with hepatitis by administering contaminated mixtures:

Narrator (22:10): "He intended to actually infect the healthy patients with the disease, aiming to do this by feeding them fecal matter."

Parents, misled by promises of superior care, signed consent forms under duress, fearing their children would receive no treatment otherwise. This clandestine experimentation subjected patients to unimaginable suffering, with many enduring relentless infections and brutal quarters.

Arthur Devon’s Heroic Intervention (1955)

The narrative pivots to Arthur Devon, a concerned parent whose daughter Catherine was committed to Willowbrook. Frustrated by the lack of information, Arthur's determination led him to uncover the institution's horrific conditions:

Arthur Devon (narrated, 25:30): "I must get Catherine away from here."

Upon visiting, Arthur witnessed unimaginable abuse—children malnourished, covered in welts, and subjected to physical violence. His brave act of rescuing Catherine sparked outrage, triggering a gubernatorial investigation. However, the investigation was swiftly derailed by authorities intent on preserving Willowbrook’s façade.

Geraldo Rivera’s Breakthrough Report (1972)

A turning point arrived in 1972 with investigative reporter Geraldo Rivera's explosive exposé on Willowbrook. Convincing his skeptical producer, Rivera leveraged insider information from Dr. Michael Wilkins and Elizabeth Lee—employees disillusioned by systemic abuse.

Geraldo Rivera (27:19): "I first heard of this big place with the pretty sounding name because of a call I received from a member of the Willowbrook staff, Dr. Michael Wilkins."

Rivera’s on-the-ground reporting revealed the appalling conditions:

Geraldo Rivera (27:46): "Children lying on the floor naked and smeared with their own feces. They were making a pitiful sound, a kind of mournful wail that it's impossible for me to forget."

The broadcast ignited public fury, forcing Willowbrook's Director Dr. Jack Hammond to acknowledge the atrocities:

Narrator (28:18): "Parents organize and demand change at Willowbrook."

Despite initial resistance, the media’s intervention led to Hammond's resignation and the implementation of new guidelines aimed at reducing the patient population and improving care.

The Cropsey Legend and Andre Randt’s Crimes

Even after reforms, shadows lingered. The legend of Cropsey—a mythical figure haunting Willowbrook—began taking shape. In reality, this figure was Andre Randt, a former Willowbrook employee with a history of criminal behavior. Randt was implicated in numerous disappearances and murders of women and children from the Staten Island area, with his actions fueling urban legends about the institution's dark secrets.

In 1987, Randt was arrested for the kidnapping and murder of Jennifer Schweiger, a 12-year-old girl. His tenure at Willowbrook as a custodian made it plausible that he was responsible for many of the institution's unsolved disappearances, validating the Cropsey myths.

Closure and Aftermath

By 1987, Willowbrook was finally evacuated and decommissioned, closing a chapter of systemic abuse and neglect. The campus was repurposed into the College of Staten Island, a symbolic transformation from a place of suffering to one of education.

Ironically, Dr. Saul Krugman, the architect of Willowbrook’s unethical experiments, faced no legal repercussions. Instead, he received the prestigious Albert Lasker Public Service Award and ascended to presidency of the American Pediatric Society, embodying the profound injustices perpetuated by institutional corruption and societal indifference.

Narrator (End): "The terrible irony of Willowbrook State School is that it was built to protect the most vulnerable members of society. However, instead, its brick walls trapped them inside, subjecting them to new, unthinkable horrors."

Conclusion

"Abandoned by God" serves as a haunting reminder of the catastrophic consequences of institutional failure, ethical lapses, and societal neglect. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Late Nights with Nexpo not only recounts the tragic history of Willowbrook but also underscores the importance of vigilance and advocacy in protecting the vulnerable. The episode stands as a testament to the resilience of those who dared to challenge the darkness and seek justice against overwhelming odds.

Notable Quotes with Attributions and Timestamps:

• Fred McCurdy (02:30): "This new mental institution will be a school, not an asylum. It’ll only house children, and they won’t be a danger to anyone."

• Dr. Harold Berman (15:20): "I want to treat each patient as an individual, to give them the care they deserve."

• Geraldo Rivera (27:19): "I first heard of this big place with the pretty sounding name because of a call I received from a member of the Willowbrook staff, Dr. Michael Wilkins."

• Geraldo Rivera (27:46): "Children lying on the floor naked and smeared with their own feces. They were making a pitiful sound, a kind of mournful wail that it's impossible for me to forget."

• Narrator (28:18): "Parents organize and demand change at Willowbrook."

Credits:

Foreign Expo is created and hosted by Nexpo, executive produced by Mr. Ballin, Nick Witters, and Zack Levitt. Head of writing is Evan Allen. Episode written by Greg Castro. Copy editing by Luke Baratz. Audio editing and sound design by Alistair Sherman. Mixed and mastered by Schulz Media. Research by Abigail Shumway, Camille Callahan, Evan Beamer, and Stacy Wood. Fact-checking by Abigail Shumway. Production supervision by Jeremy Bone and Cole Locasio. Production coordination by Samantha Collins and Avery Siegel. Artwork by Jessica Clarkston Kiner and Robin Vane. Theme song by Ross Bugden.

Thank you for listening to Late Nights with Nexpo.