Homeschooling’s 

Invisible Children

10 children of Jack and Kathy Stratton

Content note: Case narratives include descriptions of severe violence inflicted on children, including abuse and neglect, sexual violence, torture, and murder, as well as mentions of suicide and domestic violence. They also include photos of victims and perpetrators of violence.

jack stratton
Jack and Kathy Stratton’s ten children–Spencer (17), Isaiah (15), Solomon (11), Tanna (10), Rachel (8), Simon (6), Michelle (5), Maria (4), Stephanie (3), and Leah (1)–were removed from their home by social services due to neglect. The children lacked adequate food and medical care–the Strattons practiced homebirth and never took their children to see a doctor. All the children were homeschooled.

In 2002 the Strattons’ parental rights were terminated due to their failure to fulfill any of the state’s conditions for the return of their children. They continued to wage a legal battle with the state until 2013, even after Jack Stratton’s death in 2011.

Date: January 30, 2001
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina

Documents: Date:
Stratton trial 09-26-2002
Man sent to jail for ignoring gag order 10-13-2002
Court of Appeals of North Carolina, No. COA02-745 08-05-2003
Stratton Children Said We Want To Go Home
Frequent political candidate Jack Stratton dead at 57 11-09-2011
STRATTON v. MECKLENBURG COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES 05-31-2013