New Bill Introduced To Uncover Truth About Unmarked Graves In Prince George’s County

CHELTENHAM, Md. — In the summer of 2025, political leaders throughout Maryland toured a burial ground that was overgrown in Prince George’s County. The grounds are the final resting place for numerous Black children who passed away while at the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, a segregated detention center that operated post-Civil War.

Commonly known as Boys Village, the detention center was established in 1870 and would be the final home for many boys sent to the facility. The gravesites are often unmarked or overgrown, sparking concern as to why the boys were buried without following proper procedure. Some graves are only marked with cinder blocks, while others are covered by natural foliage.

Lawmakers in Maryland are currently trying to identify how so many young boys died while under the state’s care, many of whom passed away in the late 1800s. Now, legislation has been introduced that aims to uncover how the tragic events transpired.

Sen. Will Smith, one of the lawmakers who visited Boys Village, said in a quote to The BayNet in 2025 that touring the burial ground was a “sobering experience” and that this situation should cause lawmakers to rethink guidelines surrounding incarcerated youth.

“Last week, I had the sobering experience of touring previously unacknowledged burial grounds of youth who died in the custody of a segregated, Blacks-only youth facility operated by the state of Maryland more than a century ago in Cheltenham, Maryland — the predecessor of today’s Cheltenham Youth Detention Center.

“It was a heartbreaking experience. And while, of course, I offer my prayers for these young people and wish to officially recognize those who have been forgotten for far too long, this needs to be a time for more than prayer, recognition and healing. Now must be a time of action — a time to reform a law that today sends Black youth into our adult prisons, as opposed to juvenile facilities, at rates that are indefensible.”

Death records have helped identify that some of the deaths may have been due to tuberculosis or other similar infections and ailments, according to Capital News Service and Maryland Matters, though many of the unmarked graves still remain unsolved.

A past investigation conducted by The Washington Post determined that more than 200 boys died at the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, indicating that there may be even more people buried there than state officials initially realized.

How Are Lawmakers Taking Action?

Del. Jeffrie Long Jr. recently sponsored House Bill 552, which would establish “the independent investigation of the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children,” according to the bill’s synopsis.

In a statement, he told The BayNet, “When I led the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus in prayer as we stood at the long-neglected burial ground, I knew that the time had come to move past prayers, recognition and healing. Now is the time for us to bring real action, to reform and restore dignity to a place that has been treated in an undignified manner for so long. I sponsored this bill with the hopes that the commission will provide recommendations for acknowledgment, reconciliation, educational initiatives, systemic reform, facilitate memorialization and a dignified reburial processes so that what happened at the House of Reformation becomes part of Maryland’s shared understanding and accountability. This bill addresses a painful chapter in Maryland’s history. Over 230 African American children died while in state custody at the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children and were buried in unmarked graves. The state assumed responsibility for them in life, and we carry responsibility in death.”

House Bill 552 would bring about a new commission to investigate the burial grounds. The commission’s goal would be to look into the history of the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children.

By taking a deeper look into the history of the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children and conducting archaeological surveys in the area, the commission would aim to uncover the truth of what may have happened in the facility and to the boys who died there.

“We support the core purpose of ensuring a full and public accounting of the children who died while confined at the House of Reformation for Colored Children, and acknowledging a painful chapter in Maryland’s history,” said Betsy Fox Tolentino, the acting Juvenile Services secretary.

The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services has already been afforded a $200,000 grant to search for any remains of boys buried near the youth facility. House Bill 552 indicates that an additional $250,000 would be awarded per fiscal year during the investigation if it were to pass.

To learn more about House Bill 552, visit Maryland.gov.

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