Podcast Summary: The Sunshine Place Episode: Season 2, Episode 7: "KIDS"
Release Date: December 4, 2024
Host/Author: Audacy Podcasts | Team Downey

Introduction and Context

"The Sunshine Place" Season 2, Episode 7, titled "KIDS," delves deep into the dark legacy of Straight Incorporated, a controversial teen rehabilitation program from the 1980s. Hosted by Team Downey under the executive production of Robert Downey Jr., Susan Downey, and Emily Barclay Ford, this episode uncovers the sinister transformation of Straight Incorporated into "Kids," an experimental rehab program that evolved into a manipulative cult exploiting vulnerable teenagers and their families.

The Legacy of Straight Incorporated

Straight Incorporated emerged during the height of the war on drugs, promising a tough-love approach to steer troubled teens back to the right path. However, survivors recount a harrowing experience marked by abuse, torture, and brainwashing under the leadership of Dr. Miller Newton.

Notable Quote:
Wendy (03:02): "Miller Newton is not a kind person. He firmly believes in debasing, humiliating, degrading people to break them down to achieve his goal."

Dr. Miller Newton: The Master Manipulator

Dr. Miller Newton, the former national clinical director of Straight, was a central figure in the program's abusive practices. After resigning in 1983 amidst federal controversies, Newton established "Kids" in New Jersey, perpetuating the same traumatic methodologies.

Notable Quote:
Dr. Miller Newton (06:58): "I know what I'm doing here."

Survivor Narratives: Wendy's Story

Wendy, a former Straight staff member, shares her journey from a troubled teen to a staff member and finally a survivor. After leaving Straight, she faced severe postpartum depression, leading her back into addiction and ultimately back into a Newton-led program called Kids. Her experience within Kids mirrored and exacerbated her previous traumas.

Key Moments:

• Initial Enrollment: Wendy describes her desperate need for help and her decision to enroll in Kids, guided by her positive past experience with Straight.
• Abusive Practices: She recounts how her attempts to withdraw were met with physical restraint and psychological manipulation.

Notable Quote:
Wendy (05:35): "I just turned 30 years old while I was there in Kids of North Jersey. And to have someone tell me that I couldn't leave, it enraged me."

Katie's Ordeal: From Hope to Horror

Katie, another survivor, details her traumatic experiences within the Kids program. Initially seeking help for her severe eating disorder, Katie was subjected to inhumane treatment that aimed not at healing but at controlling and reprogramming her.

Key Moments:

• False Diagnoses and Mismanagement: Katie explains how her bipolar disorder was misdiagnosed as a compulsive behavior problem, leading to improper and harmful treatment.
• Cult-Like Control: The program enforced strict rules, constant surveillance during meals, and relentless rap sessions that stripped her of autonomy.

Notable Quote:
Katie (26:18): "I had to sleep in the bed with the old comer, face to face with my mouth open all night. If I closed my mouth, I would have somebody physically prying my mouth open."

Expansion and Exploitation: The Medicaid Scam

As private insurance began to wane, Dr. Newton ingeniously shifted to Medicaid funding, targeting lower-income families and expanding the demographic reach of Kids. This strategic pivot allowed Newton to exploit state funds continuously, ensuring the program's financial viability despite its unethical practices.

Notable Quote:
Marcus Chatfield (30:21): "Dr. Newton was telling them they have a behavior problem. Like, what the fuck? No, this kid has trauma. These kids needed a social worker. They did need to get out of where they were living, but they didn't need to be put into a cult."

Legal Battles: Seeking Justice

The episode chronicles the pivotal legal cases that exposed the atrocities of Kids. Attorney Phil Elberg played a crucial role in representing survivors like Rebecca Ehrlich and Lulu Corter, leading to significant settlements and public recognition of the program's malpractices.

Key Moments:

• Rebecca Ehrlich's Case: Settled for $4.5 million in 1999, marking the largest settlement in a tough-love rehab case.
• Lulu Corter's Trial: Awarded $6.5 million in damages in 2003, further dismantling Newton's operations.

Notable Quote:
Phil Elberg (39:37): "Miller Newton was a cult-like leader with an ability to con people. And he so totally dominated the lives of the people that came under his influence."

The Aftermath and Newton's Reinvention

Despite the legal defeats, Dr. Miller Newton evaded criminal repercussions by shifting his focus to religious endeavors in Florida, adopting the title "Father" and establishing a nonprofit organization. This reinvention raises ongoing concerns among survivors and advocates about his continued influence and the potential for further harm.

Notable Quote:
Tammy (50:25): "I'm terrified of being kidnapped to this day. I'm almost 60 years old. I'm a grandma. I walk around with a pistol in my pocket wherever I go, and I'm not even close to Florida, where Miller Newton is."

Survivors' Enduring Struggles

The episode emphasizes the long-lasting trauma endured by survivors of Kids. Many continue to grapple with PTSD, strained family relationships, and a pervasive fear instilled by their experiences within the program.

Notable Quote:
Tammy (49:31): "I mean, you're not even allowed to treat people in prison that way. And he absolutely ordered torture on children. And torture never leaves you."

Conclusion: Unveiling the Cult-Like Operations

"KIDS" serves as a chilling exposé of how rehabilitation programs can devolve into cults under manipulative leadership. Through personal testimonies, historical analysis, and legal insights, the episode underscores the critical need for oversight and protection for vulnerable populations in such institutions.

Credits and Production

"The Sunshine Place" is a meticulously crafted podcast, written, directed, and produced by Perry Crowell, with contributions from writer-producer Margot Gray and story editors Maddie Sprung Keyser and Lloyd Lockridge. The episode features narration by Cindy Ettler and includes sound design by Bill Schultz, ensuring an immersive and impactful listening experience.

Acknowledgments

Special thanks are extended to survivors and their families, legal experts like Phil Elberg, and dedicated team members who contributed to unveiling the harrowing truths behind Kids of North Jersey.

Disclaimer: This summary contains references to physical and emotional abuse. Listener discretion is advised.