HAPPY 29th BIRTHDAY TO JUSTIN TODAY!! Since the time we met him so long ago his life has changed SO much! He's doing great today, has a wonderful dad and reunited with two brothers he never thought he'd see again. We are SO HAPPY for him! Stay tuned for so much more ahead. We can't wait to bring audiences his FULL story in the very near future!

That woman is an angel. You can tell she honestly cares about her job and the kids she helps.

He misses his Mom even after she abandoned him. This is just breaking my heart. When he read the card at his 18th Birthday it made me so happy.

As a mother with an autistic child, my heart truly hurts for Justin. I'm my son's biggest advocate and can't imagine my son being in Justin's shoes. Thank goodness for the Mike Dempsey's and the Damar's and the group homes out there to take these children in. I wish all the best for Justin in his life journey.

Seeing Justin in shackles and handcuffs broke my heart. He's special and did not deserve that. Thank you for looking after him.

I’m glad Justin has some people that love him ❤️ When I was a teenager, I was removed from my parent’s custody due to neglect and abuse. Since there wasn’t a foster home available immediately, I was placed in juvenile detention for a month - until one could be found. I understand that it’s the only option in some areas, but it was worse than the home I was removed from. I was transferred to a foster home after 30 days, and was eventually adopted by a distant family member. I remember actually feeling loved/wanted for the first time when I was adopted, and Justin deserves that too. He seems like a great kid. I wish someone intervened earlier, but am grateful a few people stepped up to give him a voice.

I feel so sorry for Justin knowing neither of his parents wanted him, all I can say is you've both missed out on having such a wonderful son and he is such a fantastic young man. I'm so happy that he finally has a home and is loved it's what he deserves. I wish him all the best and I hope he has such an amazing life.

i lost it when Justin started talking about his mom and said he missed her… but i am so happy they made the decision to send him somewhere that could actually help him because he deserved a chance. the progress he made was unbelievable. i really hope he is still surrounded by people who love and care about him today.

A 10 year old with an IQ of 40 gets no lawyer at trial. How does a judge allow this. The judge should be disbarred

Those workers who spent the time with Justin. Deserve a massive award, it's people like them that are greet support to children in this situation. Well done to them!

This made me teary. Great job to all the staff that helped kids like Justin.

Thank you for making this wonderful documentary about Justin. As a grown man I'm not ashamed to say I cried more then once watching this. One can only imagine what he's gone through in his life. A huge thank you to all the staff at the juvenile prison and Damar. You're all such wonderful people, the amount of love and care you've given Justin cannot be put into words. What a wonderful young man Justin has grown up to become. This is testament to all of those who have stepped up and guided this young man. Most of all its a testament to Justin for overcoming his learning disabilities and realising that he is important and that there are those in the world that do love and care about him.

Justin's story should become a national movement, to pass legislation in every state, to ensure that kid's like Justin don't ever slip through the cracks again!

The saddest part is that Justin knows his mom doesn’t want him and he still misses her 😔

I love how he has dreams he wants to accomplish despite the trauma and abandonment he’s been through, everyone that works with him shows that he is being guided in the right direction to make sure he forgets the past and lives a more greater future for his self .

This is an award winning documentary! Had me crying. Thank God Justin had good people to look out for him. Thank you for covering his story.. This needs to be turned into a movie. Wow!

Kate recognized Justin, she saw him. Kate is the hero in Justin’s story! I can’t wait for the up-date on Justin coming in 2021!

It's very sad that the boys family just abandoned him. He just wants to be loved.

Mike seems like a great guy that's doing everything in his power to make positive changes. He seems like he got into that work because he really cares and wants to help.

Mike Dempsey is the freaking man. I will remember his words and what he did. That man approved a $350 a DAY invoice knowing it would be a battle with the state. Plus can't forget Kate Frasier

This is gonna sound bad but it really is a blessing that his family abandoned him and can't be found. Chances are If he had been sent back with his family he never would have met the great people at Damar and accomplished all the good things that he did there....

To Mike Dempsey and all who helped this kid, you are TRUE 👍 heroes,they recognised this kid had no buissness being in jail 👏

I keep coming back to this kid, and I’m so grateful for all the updates you have done on him. So many people failed him, but Kate, Fred, Mel, the administrators, and Calamari Productions really did so much when the people that should have stuck by him didn’t, and it made all the difference for that kid. Incredible people stepped up, saved him, and changed his life. Everyone worked so hard to give him the best outcome possible.

He's an exceptional young man. I'm glad they stood up for a child that needed the help and actually got it. I hope too see more on this young guy and hope he accomplishes everything he wants out of life.

"I can't remember that. I moved on so much...." My heaaaaart... It's almost like he's saying that he refuses to remember that time. These people are such a breath of fresh air.

at 48:26, when Justin said his mom had not visited and he said that he would tell her that he wanted to go home, that just killed me. After everything that she did to him and didn't do for him, he would want to still live with her just shows what an amazing person he really is. I hope you are proud of yourself Justin. I know most of America is!

I didn’t catch the man’s name, but the guy running the prison I have so much respect for him that he stood up and did what he could to move this boy to the proper facility. I had someone that I really admire that made a big difference I wish I could think I’m in person.

hearing him talk about his mom is very sad, but he has matured so much in just a few years. You can only imagine how he would be if his parents actually cared for him from the start of his life

Hi Everyone -- thanks for all the comments on our film with Justin. He's such a wonderful young man, and we're happy to report that Justin is doing GREAT. We'll have more news to report about Justin's life today, coming in 2021, including some incredible twists and turns in his story since we last left him in this film. Stay tuned for this and so much more on this channel. And THANKS SO MUCH for your support of our work. Means a lot to us!! If you'd like to see more of Justin's journey, watch here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r6uTeKhj07fMZ58.html kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eqqJkq9kqL-dd5c.html kzfaq.info/get/bejne/bNmRi82a0dbbm2Q.html

His counselor from the jail is a lovely woman

This made me cry on 2 levels, 1st I was so upset about his situation then I cried because Justin was finally getting the help he needs. Great job on this documentary!

I came across this randomly i decided to watch and my God was this a good doc. It's crazy how in a matter of 52:15 you can care for a random stranger so much. My heart breaks for him. He's grown so much by the end of it i was smiling ear to ear. ❤

The teacher in me was soooo proud of him for reading that birthday card at the end. He is such an adaptable and loving individual, and I'm so proud of him and the staff that have loved him so well.

KZfaq needs a, “Love” button. This whole documentary is amazing.

The world needs a lot more Mike Dempseys, and other compassionate folks who took the time to care about this poor child.

Just a little personal story. When I was a young teenager in the early 70’s I spent two weeks in a juvenile lock up. I came from a good middle class family. During my stay I found that many of the teenagers that were there with me could not read or write. I spent that 2 weeks helping them read and write letters home. What an eye opener. Something that I will never forget.

He’s a sweet kid this is so sad. The only people that really cared for him were his counsellor and the Juvenile jail warden.

Mike Dempsey... Man you're a saint my dude. Keep helping these kids. Regardless if they're in for murder, burglary or shitting at a park. Keep helping them please. Our nation's future is depending on guys like you to keep that heart.

I have never cried so much… all he needs is love ❤️ My gratitude goes out to the staff who stood up and acted as his voice.

What an amazing story. We need more funding to help those like him. Difficult to think this country sends billions in aid overseas yet can’t help its own. He’s an amazing kid and I hope the best for his future.

Best juvenile prison staff I’ve seen.

So happy people stood up for Justin, he didn't belong in jail. Such a touching story ♡

Omg the tears are flowing for Justin tonight!! What an incredible group of people to go way beyond their “job” and show this sweet, gentle boy how loved he truely is! Justin you sir are a rockstar!!!

the part of him where he just misses his Mom after all those years had passed and still wants to go home. that is so hard to watch but him being strong and being hopeful is just so powerful and blessed

Some mothers don’t deserve the gift of children. Justin’s “mom” clearly doesn’t!

"Everybody gets to go home, and I don't have anywhere to go." 😢 💔 😭

It's heartbreaking..😭 Im so glad and happy that the most loving people were there to help him, thank you for this documentary.

As someone who was incarcerated there. At doc in Pendleton Indiana. Ms fraiser was amazing. Im free today. I was there for two years around 2012.

I'm very happy that people still care about this young man. Bless y'all

As a mother, my heart deeply aches for Justin... he was failed by so many to end up prison. Thank you to the folks who stood up and walked by Justin’s side.

I don't know how anyone who considers themselves human could not cry watching this. Even as someone working with kids like Justin for over 20 years this story still broke my heart. All people really want and deserve, from kids to the elderly, is to be loved and accepted and have a home. Justin's story poignantly expresses the deep yearning we all have for love and family. And Justin is so fortunate to have so many people who love him and consider him family, even if his biological family never realized the gift they had been given in him. But because of this his light shines for all the world to see and illuminates the stories of so many others like him.

Mike Dempsey is fantastic. A really decent man. I salute you and those who support your work for these unfortunate kids. Pray that Justin and other kids like him are protected and given a great chance to have a normal life.

The warden is such a good human being, I wish nothing but the best in his life endeavors

Breaks my heart! I am a special needs mom myself and couldn’t even imagine abandoning my child!

I’m so happy for Justin. Thank you for sharing his story it really was amazing watching his progression from the time you first met him till the time you last filmed him. I hope he continues to come across wonderful and passionate people like you guys in his life.

Wow this episode brought tears to my eyes. The floodgates really. Justin looks a little bit like my nephew. He’s 15 going on 16 next month. I can’t imagine him or any of my kids in my family being locked up. They’re kids and deserve love, lots of it. Just by watching this and Justin’s behavior, he reminds me of a kid who has autism. His stemming, fears of loud noises, random outbursts certainly are common signs. I wish I could just hug and adopt him. This poor boy deserves love. People have loved their dogs more than he has ever experienced. I’m so glad that staff and counselors loved and cared for him. This one seriously broke my heart more than any other video and they certainly were heartbreaking too.

What an amazing documentary. As a mom to a 13 year old with autism, I would recommend this documentary throughout the juvenile justice system and education departments across Vermont. I’m thankful that Justin was lifted up through the cracks in Indiana’s JDOC and given the necessary treatment and stability he needed to grow and achieve beyond those walls.

Poor Justin. May God be with him on his journey. Watch over him Lord and hold him in your unchanging hand.

Heart wrenching and yet heartwarming story- thanks to the genuinely good caring people that took charge of his life. Justin himself I'm proud of he has stood up to be the good man they all knew he was. God bless them all if only all the children had people like these fighting for their lives.

This breaks my heart, God bless all those entrusted with the care of children. “It takes a village.”

Thank you so much for sharing my son’s story. I think your viewers will be quite happy to hear all of the positive changes in Justin‘s life as well as hearing heartbreaking information that has been discovered since the filming of your documentary. I would like to thank the entire Calamari team as well as Damar Services for their continued support with Justin. Justin has been out of Damar services for five years now and it is so heartwarming to continue to receive services from Damar as well as having members of his treatment team from the DOC and previous Damar employees that has remained in contact to follow his progress. Everyone involved is a true blessing from God and we look forward to sharing his updated story with all.

If you don't know what you want to be when your older, be a Mike Dempsey.

Not just his mom didn't want him, his dad didn't either. I'm happy he's away better person than his parents will ever be. Justin has gained a unlimited amount of mom's and dad's that stepped in an saved him.

I'm so proud of his progress! It's absolutely wonderful 😊 I just wish the people that have grown so close/fond of him would tell him they love him he needs to hear it that's what he needs is love acceptance. God bless you Justin on your journey. Will be praying for you.

Wow Mike Dempsey is a hero in my eyes! We need more caring people like him working in our juvenile systems. I'm sure he had to make huge cuts to his budget in order to send Justin to the other facility but he listened to his heart and I'm so happy he did. Demar changed his life. Thank you to all of his counselors too because I'm sure they had their work cut out for them and they did a fabulous job in those first 2 years. My last thought on this is that Justin's parents should be ashamed of themselves!

The boy said he misses his mother. 😭💔😭💔😭💔😭💔😭💔😭 I hope she pays for this.

God bless this staff for acknowledgment of Justin’s special needs 💜👍🏼. They seem like such a caring and loving group advocating for OUR youth, I wish them straight and happiness to continue to continue supporting those whom have fallen threw the cracks. Thank you. No child left behind. Every child matters.

What an incredible documentary!! I really didn't want it to end!! I truly hope Justin is living the life he had stolen from him in his younger yrs..Would be super awesome to see where he is today!!

😭😭😭why is a 27 year old man crying. God bless all the angels that helped Justin and continue helping him.

His basketball game is on point. Big up everybody who has helped this troubled young lad. Great to see he's doing well.

This is such a feel good story. 👍I'm a veteran and have been in the system . This helped restore my faith in humanity. God bless the people along Justin's path. Keep up the good work young man.

This kid made me cry. How can people be so cruel? God bless him always.

I'm a youth care worker myself and seeing to many people that truly care about these children,restored my faith in humanity for a while

This is exactly how young people get lost in "the system" and never are able to get out of it. Justin was so very lucky that a few people took an interest in him and said "NO! This isn't ok" and then did something about it.

This brought tears ,I'm so glad he is somewhere he can be happy,he deserves so much!

What an amazing kid. It's awful what he been going trough and i'm glad to see that he had wonderful people in his life, during this time and in the end even took him into their home. He really touches your heart when you see him, even on camera.

"Kate Frasier!!" - I cried.

This is absolutely heart breaking. I can't..he's still asking for a mother who chose to abandon him.

I cried watching this. From 🇬🇧. Thanks for caring enough about Justin to make that difference. Well done to all involved and every positive and good vibe going to Justin. I’m rooting for you kiddo 👍🏻

Hes made such great strides and progress. Its incredible to see over the span of the documentary how his true personality gets to shine when he is able to leave the prison. My heart goes out to him, and I hope he is doing well to this day

Kate Frasier, your AMAZING! She's so kind and understanding ❤️

i love my job and feel honoured looking after some of these young men and having the chance to influence their negative thoughts into popular ones

This is one of the most important documentaries I have ever seen. As a mother of a child with intellectual and developmental disabilities, my heart aches for Justin. How many other Justin’s are in our system and why is more money not allotted for their care? Thank God there are such kind, competent caring people that looked out for Justin. I’m so relieved he got to go to DaeMar, a good group home & now has a real family. I hope he gets to California. Thank you to the reporter who covered this story with great care.

Such a heart warming end to Justin’s story what a fine young man he grew into with the right support around him ❤️😊

“ take me for a ride “ literally something so damn simple is what he asked for on his birthday 😭😭😭

I’m a blubbery mess 😭 That reunion with Kate had tears streaming down my cheek. And then when he was taken in by his mentor? Ah warmed my heart.

Awww Kate seeing him for the first time after two years chokes me up, i got tears eyed. I can only imagine what the separation of them must’ve been like, he seemed so much calmer. If only she would’ve visited him. Glad he’s doing better and hopefully he continues to be surrounded by good people. He didn’t deserve to be abandoned, wish him the best.

This is the most beautiful boy. I would welcome him into my home with open arms if I lived in the US. I'm so so grateful for this documentary shedding light on his story, and to all the people who have stepped in to give him a better life. This young man deserves the world. I'm so happy to see he has finally found a forever home. His mother didn't deserve him.

I’m a 40 y/o man and I legit cried. Cried about the system that put Justin in this prison, Cried about the people that fought on behalf of Justin and Cried at the progress and life Justin has been able to have because of people realizing he needed and deserved better. Thank you for this documentary and “Taking Us for a Ride”!

Justin reminds me a lot of my son my heart ached for him. I can imagine if my son hadn’t had the therapy, medication and most important our families love and support what he would look like in life. My heart breaks when he talks about his mother I can’t imagine how she walked away for him. I watched this a few hours ago and just had to come back I wonder how this wonderful boy is today. I wonder if he has people that are his family. My son is 16 now and I remember his first school year sitting at a table with his teachers and they told me he couldn’t learn they kicked him out of the school that was head start. Then I was fought by the public school system when they told me they couldn’t handle his needs and I fought for him and got them to pay for a private school and my son thrived turns out he was teachable but in a different way he was smart and that early intervention was key and he’s highly intelligent but he struggles with social skills. These kids hold a special place in my heart. I am so glad that these people cared enough to make sure he wasn’t just given up on.

I see so many comments bashing the mother, why aren't we holding father's with equal accountability??? His father was not difficult to find and made no attempt to be there for his son. Male or female, mother or father BOTH of these people created this child. I'm not excusing his mother's actions but where is the outrage for the dad??

Im so fortunate and thankful for having a pretty normal life with a normal loving family.. thats so important and you cannot take that for granted, I feel so bad for him but i could almost shed a tear of happiness because of the people who are helping him learn and love him the way he shouldve always been loved. Theres alot of bad in the world but theres wayyyy more good, thank you for helping him, everyone involved!

The 18 month visit. I'm sobbing. Such a magnificent change!!

I will say when that superintendent of Pendleton talks I find myself listening the most

This is so heart touching. Im glad to know there is still good people out there.

Justin's story is one of the most touching and heart breaking stories I have heard. How things were ever allowed to get this bad in the first place I'll never know... 😶

Justin is a fine example of "I get by with a little help from my friends". God speed Justin.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DOCUMENTARY. I'M CRYING... THERE IS HOPE NEVER GIVE UP...

My heart goes out to Justin. Great job in your accomplishments. We all love you! ❤️ His story touched my heart. My hope is that this does not happen to another child. Bless you Justin.

I really wish all the best for Justin. I hope he can continue to find people that show him love and show him that he matters. Much respect to all of the workers that help people like Justin on a daily basis...such selfless, caring, people!