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Summary: Kathleen Galloway-Menke, 50, died after being shoved by 15-year-old Jovahn Karhim Deon Mathis during his escape from a youth facility in Johnston, Iowa, on May 8, 2024. The Des Moines resident suffered a fatal head injury and passed away six days later. Now 16, Mathis pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in May 2025, facing up to 20 years in prison at his July 2026 sentencing.
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Teen Pleads Guilty in Death of Iowa Youth Home Worker
JOHNSTON, Iowa — A 16-year-old Iowa boy has admitted to causing the death of a youth facility employee by shoving her during an escape attempt, accepting a reduced charge in a plea deal that could lead to up to 20 years behind bars.
Jovahn Karhim Deon Mathis entered guilty pleas to voluntary manslaughter and several misdemeanor assault counts in Polk County District Court last May, according to court officials. The case stems from a confrontation at the Ellipsis Iowa youth treatment center, where Mathis was a resident.
The sequence of events began on May 8, 2024, when Mathis, then 15, stormed out of the facility at 7085 Northwest Beaver Drive in a fit of rage. Staff members, following protocol, trailed him to ensure his safety. Kathleen Galloway-Menke, a 50-year-old employee from Des Moines, positioned herself to block Mathis from stepping into a busy roadway. Authorities say Mathis pushed her with significant force, sending her airborne before she struck her head on the pavement. She suffered a severe brain injury and succumbed to her injuries six days later on May 14.
Responding Johnston police officers attempted to detain Mathis, who resisted and inflicted minor injuries on four of them, leading to additional assault charges.
In his court statement, Mathis acknowledged being overwhelmed by anger at the time. He described Galloway-Menke stepping into his path and ordering him not to leave, which escalated his fury. He admitted shoving her without pausing to consider the consequences, confirming the act occurred in a heated moment.
Initially charged with second-degree murder in juvenile court, prosecutors successfully moved the case to adult proceedings while designating Mathis a youthful offender. The plea agreement dropped the murder count in exchange for admissions to voluntary manslaughter—a charge carrying a maximum 10-year sentence—and seven misdemeanors related to the police scuffle. Sentencing is set for July 31, 2026, after Mathis turns 18, with a possible combined term of 20 years. He remains at the Iowa Boys State Training School in Eldora and must pay $150,000 in restitution to Galloway-Menke's estate, as mandated by state law.
Galloway-Menke's daughters, Chloe Williamson and Camille Menke, addressed reporters after the hearing, expressing mixed emotions. They welcomed the guilty plea but lamented the charge reduction, saying it seemed to diminish the gravity of their mother's loss. Despite their grief, they voiced empathy for Mathis, hoping he would reflect, grow, and find redemption. They portrayed their mother as a resilient, empathetic figure who dedicated her life to supporting troubled youth and instilling compassion in others. A public memorial service honoring her was held on May 31, 2025, at the Izaak Walton League in Des Moines.
The incident drew scrutiny to Ellipsis Iowa, with state occupational safety officials imposing a $37,500 fine for workplace hazards. Police records show the facility generated nearly 1,000 service calls over three years, including hundreds for runaways. In response, operators installed an 8-foot fence around the property but declined to add interior locks. Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham called the death a preventable tragedy, emphasizing Galloway-Menke's profound impact on her community and the need for extended oversight of Mathis.
Family members suggested systemic shortcomings contributed to the event, failing both the victim and the teen involved.
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