Two young brothers in the care of Wyndham Lawn Residential Services for children have been missing since April 4. According to Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti, Adam Wisniewski, 15, and Dylan Wisniewski, 14, both residents at the facility at 6395 Old Niagara Road, are the subjects of a missing persons investigation. Filicetti said Wyndham Lawn was the last known location of the brothers, and the boys are known to frequent locations in the city of Lockport.
Flyers featuring the names and photos of the juveniles have been posted in public places in the Lockport area directing community members to contact the sheriff’s office or WNY Missing and Unidentified Persons.
Filicetti said the brothers’ names have been entered into the eJustice nationwide database to alert all law enforcement agencies. “We’ve received some information and we’ll look into those tips as they come in,” he said.
The 211 WNY web page states that Wyndham Lawn Residential Program is a “highly structured, therapeutic residential environment for children and youth who have experienced trauma or emotional, behavioral, and educational challenges. Individualized treatment includes counseling, therapeutic recreation, life skills development, medical and psychiatric services, and family reunification/permanency planning. Henrietta G. Lewis Campus School is located on-grounds and offers special education services.” Services are provided 24 hours a day for youth ages 12 to 20.
New View Alliance, the parent company of Gateway-Longview, Inc. which operates Wyndham Lawn, provided a written response to questions about supervision of residents. Mario Hicks, vice president of development and mission advancement, said, “We are committed to upholding the confidentiality and safety of all individuals in our care; therefore, we cannot confirm or disclose the identity of any youth in our programs or services.The safety and well-being of the youth we serve — and their support systems — is our highest priority.”
“In the event that a youth is away without leave from one of our programs, our staff follow strict, established protocols,” Hicks said. “This includes immediately notifying the appropriate local law enforcement agency and actively collaborating with authorities to support a safe and swift return. Our team remains fully engaged and vigilant in following every step necessary to protect the youth in our care.”
Meghan Lutz, Niagara County Department of Social Services commissioner, could not speak to the circumstances that bring individuals to be placed at Wyndham Lawn, since the facility accepts youths from several counties and offers a variety of programming.
Filicetti said Wyndham Lawn is a non-secure facility, with individuals placed there for a variety of reasons, including by court order. He said the site has a history of residents leaving the facility and triggering missing persons reports. In some cases, Filicetti said, individuals have run away more than 10 times, with each instance requiring the sheriff’s office to separately investigate the disappearance and relocation of the individual. Filicetti said individuals have returned to Wyndham Lawn safely and of their own accord in the past.
“It’s gotten out of control,” he said. “At what point do we change what we’re doing so this doesn’t continue to happen? Do these individuals belong in a non-secure facility when we’re going there as many times as we are?”