KS - Caleb Schwab, 10, dies on 17-story Schlitterbahn waterpark slide, Aug 2016

[AdorableOrca96]

They’re just now starting the dismantling of Verruckt. It only took them two years..

 

[JerseyGirl]

From October 19:

A jury found that Schlitterbahn maintenance employees David Hughes and John Zalsman were not guilty of obstructing an investigation into Schwab's death. Prosecutors alleged that the two employees failed to replace a brake mat on the slide and then lied about the need for the pad, saying that it only was used during the testing phase. A video showed otherwise, according to prosecutors. However, jurors said there wasn't evidence that a maintenance request to address the brake pad was given to Hughes and Zalsman.

In April, Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeff Henry and Verruckt lead designer John Schooley were charged with second-degree murder and other felony charges. Tyler Miles, former director of operations for the water park, was charged with involuntary manslaughter and interfering with law enforcement. All three pleaded not guilty and are waiting for their trials to be scheduled.

https://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2018/10/19/jury-reaches-verdict-in-first-trial-for.html

 

[Gruenebee]

Co-owner of deadly water park paid prostitute with day passes, had meth and pills, prosecutor says

 

[Gruenebee]

Jeff Henry appears in Johnson County Court on drug and sex charges

 

[neesaki]

Co-owner of deadly water park paid prostitute with day passes, had meth and pills, prosecutor says

Wow.

 

[SeesSeas]

Wyandotte County
Cases - Unified Government

State of Kansas vs. Jeffrey Wayne Henry
Case #: 2018-CR-289
Motion Hearing scheduled for 12/17/18 at 9 a.m. in Div.6

State of Kansas vs. John Timothy Schooley
Case #: 2018-CR-290
Motion Hearing scheduled for 12/17/18 at 9 a.m. in Div. 6

State of Kansas vs. Henry & Sons Construction Company Inc.
Case #: 2018-CR-291
Motion Hearing scheduled for 12/17/18 at 9 a.m. in Div. 6

Johnson County Kansas District Court Public Records
Johnson County Kansas District Court Document Search
Case No 18CR02928
Last Name HENRY
First Name JEFFERY
Mid Name WAYNE

Calendar
Court Date Court Time Division Proceeding Type
12/13/18 09:30am 17 NO GO PRELIM HEARING

Disposition
Section Date Title ACS Drug PL Finding TP LVL PN Sent Date
Count 1 21-5705(a).2 07/13/18 DISTRIBUTE/PID LEVEL 2 METH F 2D N
Count 2 21-5709(e)(2)(A 07/13/18 DRUG PARAPHERNALIA - F F 5D N
Count 3 21-6421(b)(1)(A 07/13/18 BUY SEX RELATIONS 1ST M A P
Count 4 21-5706(b).M 07/13/18 MISD POSSESSION ALPR M A N

 

[JerseyGirl]

Schlitterbahn co-owner to make appearance in court

hursday afternoon, Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeff Henry is expected to appear in court. However, he is not appearing for the Schlitterbahn charges. Instead he'll be there in connection to more recent drug charges.

 

[Jax49]

Schlitterbahn charges tossed. Judge says Kansas AG ‘irreparably tainted’ grand jury

A Wyandotte County judge on Friday said that the Kansas Attorney General ‘irreparably tainted’ a grand jury with prejudicial evidence to obtain indictments against several Schlitterbahn employees and associates involved in the design, construction and operationof a water slide that killed a 10-year-old boy in 2016.

Judge Robert Burns dismissed indictments against three individuals and two corporate affiliates of Schlitterbahn, the company that built the 17-story Verruckt water slide in Kansas City, Kan., in 2014. It drew large crowds until Caleb Schwab, son of Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, was killed by decapitation on the ride. The water slide, once billed as the world’s tallest, was torn down last year.

 

[margarita25]

Schlitterbahn charges tossed. Judge says Kansas AG ‘irreparably tainted’ grand jury

Thanks, Jax. Also from above:

“For now, Schlitterbahn co-owner Jeff Henry, Verruckt designer John Schooley and former Schlitterbahn operations manager Tyler Miles face no criminal charges in Caleb’s death. The Kansas Attorney General can seek criminal charges again, either through another grand jury, through a preliminary hearing or seek an appeal of Burns’ decision. Or they could just walk away from the case.”

Snip

“Schmidt on Friday afternoon released a statement that was noncommittal about his next steps on the case.

“We are obviously disappointed and respectfully disagree with the court’s decision,” Schmidt said. “We will review the ruling carefully, including the court’s observation that the ruling ‘does not preclude the possibility that the State could continue to pursue this matter in a criminal court,’ and take a fresh look at the evidence and applicable law in this tragic and troubling case to determine the best course forward.””

 

[Betty P]

Schlitterbahn charges tossed. Judge says Kansas AG ‘irreparably tainted’ grand jury

This is a horrible decision. The judge's excuse for throwing out these charges doesn't stand up to scrutiny, JMO.

Wow. No punishment at all for these irresponsible, dishonest, greedy people. Everyone walks away free and clear to go on with their lives.

Schlitterbahn charges tossed. Judge says Kansas AG ‘irreparably tainted’ grand jury

According to this article, the AG can bring the charges again. I hope he convenes another GJ, gets charges again and takes the case to a different judge.

 

[GiantPickle]

The Camelback Resort in the Poconos (Pennsylvania) has a water slide with the same netting as Verruckt. A lawsuit has to continue so other parks are forced to remove that crap lest they be the next defendant!
The slide is called Storm Chaser: Storm Chaser | Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark - Camelback Resort

 

[Betty P]

The Camelback Resort in the Poconos (Pennsylvania) has a water slide with the same netting as Verruckt. A lawsuit has to continue so other parks are forced to remove that crap lest they be the next defendant!
The slide is called Storm Chaser: Storm Chaser | Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark - Camelback Resort

It's shocking how much regulations have changed for these amusement parks. So many no longer have real safety requirements or inspections. No way would I take my kids to an amusement park today if they were young.

 

[JerseyGirl]

Designer admits water slide was dangerous before boy, 10, was decapitated

 

[Littlegreenlady]

The World’s Tallest Waterslide Was a Terrible, Tragic Idea

"“There wasn't a lot of science or ride engineering involved in the testing and design,” Truesdell said. “They were sending sandbags down and basically hoping that they didn't fly off of the slide. The netting that ultimately ended up killing the child was added to prevent the rafts from flying off of the slide completely.”"

In the film, Schooley speaks to a reporter after having tested the ride himself. “That was really exciting because we truly didn’t know whether we were going to survive it or not,” he says. “A ride might be scary, but you figure that they have it figured out. We didn’t know whether we had it figured out or not.”

 

[gregjrichards]

Is the death trap contraption still standing?

 

[Laughing]

Is the death trap contraption still standing?

The one in Kansas City is not.

https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article220856200.html

 

[gregjrichards]

The one in Kansas City is not.

https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article220856200.html

Thank you I’m glad to read this.

 

[AdorableOrca96]

The park didn't even open this year. Now the park will be taken over by Cedar Fair (they own Worlds of Fun/Oceans of Fun in KC, Knott's Berry Farm in CA, and Valley Fair in MN to name a few).
Worlds of Fun owners purchase Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City, Kan.

Who knows what will happen next?

 

[gregjrichards]

Today is the 5th anniversary of the day Caleb tragically lost his life. Caleb and his loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[LaborDayRN]

View attachment 307917

Today is the 5th anniversary of the day Caleb tragically lost his life. Caleb and his loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you for the reminder @gregjrichards
It was such a horrific event. I will also keep Caleb and his loved ones in my thoughts and prayers today.