Podcast and Radio Coverage: Forgotten Children Initiative

Since the public announcement of the rediscovery of the House of Reformation burial site on July 17, 2025, waves of news attention have followed. We’ll include links to podcasts and radio coverage below as they are published. You can find print articles and television segments in their respective news sections.

Featured Podcast on the Imprint: The Buried History of Cheltenham

The launch of the Forgotten Children Initiative was featured on the Imprint Weekly podcast “The Buried History of Cheltenham.” Our own Marc Schindler, research professor and senior fellow at the Center for Youth Justice at Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy, had the opportunity to speak with John Kelly about the newly-launched Initiative, which seeks to restore dignity to children who died or were killed while in state custody, then buried and forgotten. This is a must-listen episode as Marc and John dive into this heartbreaking history, and how the past informs the present as we work to transform today’s youth legal system. 

“The Racist Roots of Youth Justice Are Buried Deep,” is a companion op-ed article published on the Imprint co-authored by Marc and former secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, Vincent Schiraldi.

Coverage Following the Initial Visit to the House of Reformation Site by State Senator Will Smith, Jr. on 7/17/25:

The existence of the burial ground was publicly announced on July 17, 2025 following a visit to the cemetery by Maryland State Senator Will Smith (Chair of Maryland Senate’s Judicial Proceedings Committee), Vinny Schiraldi (former DJS Secretary) and Marc Schindler (former DJS Assistant Secretary & Chief of Staff).

Nearly a hundred unmarked graves of incarcerated Black boys might get recognition after 150 years

Listen to the Story on NPR’s All Things Considered (7/21/25) 

Maryland state senator aims to change how juvenile offenders are treated in the state

Listen to the Story on NPR’s Morning Edition (7/22/25)

Coverage Following the Visit to the House of Reformation Site by the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus on 9/23/25:

Two months after the public announcement in July 2025, the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus visited the House of Reformation Site in September 2025. Their visit renewed media attention and brought even more focus to the forgotten children buried there.

Maryland lawmakers seek to honor Black children buried in unmarked graves

Listen to the Story on Baltimore’s WYPR radio (9/24/25)

Unearthing the Truth in a Local Secret Cemetery

Listen to the Podcast on City Cast DC (9/30/25)

Maryland lawmakers vow to reclaim, redeem forgotten cemetery for Black youth

Listen to the Story on Baltimore’s WTOP Radio (9/24/25)