The daughters of an Ellipsis staff member who died on the job say justice has ánotá been served one year later. Kathleen Galloway- Menke died following an assault at the group home on May 8th of last year. vlog's Laura Terrell explains where the criminal case stands today. <THE TEENAGER ACCUSED OF KILLING KATHLEEN GALLOWAY-MENKE IS EXPECTED TO ACCEPT A PLEA DEAL IN A FEW WEEKS.> Johnston Police say Jovahn Mathis shoved Kathleen Galloway- Menke to the ground causing her to hit her dead on the pavement on May 8th last year. She suffered brain damage and died a few days later. Mathis - who was a 15 year old resident of the group home at the time - is charged with second degree murder. Mathis is expcted to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter on May 28th. The Polk County Attorney's Office says this deal creates "the longest period of accountability." But Galloway- Menke's daughters say they would rather keep the second degree murder charge because they don't believe Mathis can be rehabilitated. Her daughters say Galloway-Menke was a generous and loving person who cared about the youth she worked with. They say she was an organ donor and continues to help people even after her death. <SHE WAS THE MOST GIVING PERSON. MOST GIVING PERSON AND WE'RE VERY HAPPY THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO GIVE AND STILL GIVE. HER SKIN AND HER TISSUE WILL BE ABLE TO BE DONATED FOR FOR THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS. SHE IS GOING TO BE HELPING PEOPLE FOR A LONG TIME.> <GALLOWAY-MENKE'S DAUGHTERS SAY HER CELEBRATION OF LIFE WILL BE MAY 31ST AT NOON AT THE IZAAK WALON LEAGUE IN DES MOINES. ANYONE IS WELCOME TO CELEBRATE THE IMPACT GALLOWAY- MENKE MADE ON THEM
Daughters of Ellipsis staff member seek justice a year after her death in Johnston
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Updated: 9:25 PM CDT May 8, 2025
The daughters of Kathleen Galloway-Menke, who died after being assaulted at a group home in Johnston, say justice has not been served one year after her death. Johnston police say Jovahn Mathis, a 15-year-old resident of the group home, shoved Galloway-Menke to the ground on May 8 last year, causing her to hit her head on the pavement, which led to brain damage and her death a few days later.Mathis is charged with second-degree murder, but is expected to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter on May 28. He will be sentenced as a youthful offender, meaning he won't be formally sentenced until he's 18. The Polk County Attorney's Office stated that this plea deal creates "the longest period of accountability." However, Galloway-Menke's daughters prefer to maintain the second-degree murder charge, as they do not believe Mathis can be rehabilitated.Her daughters describe Galloway-Menke as a generous and loving person who cared deeply about the youth she worked with. They noted that she was an organ donor and continues to help people even after her death. "She was the most giving person. Most giving person and we're very happy that she was able to give and still give. Her skin and her tissue will be able to be donated for the next two to three years. She is going to be helping people for a long time," said Chloe Williamson, Galloway-Menke's daughter.Galloway-Menke's daughters announced that her celebration of life will be held on May 31 at noon at the Izaak Walton League in Des Moines, inviting anyone who wishes to celebrate the impact she made on their lives.vlog Investigates: Following the death of a staff member, Ellipsis CEO addresses safety concernsTeenage Ellipsis resident charged with murder after deadly assault of staffer'We feel very broken': Daughters of Ellipsis worker killed in assault call for changePolice say teenage Ellipsis resident made threats to staffer prior to deadly assaultMore Ellipsis coverage» Subscribe to vlog's YouTube page» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
JOHNSTON, Iowa — The daughters of Kathleen Galloway-Menke, who died after being assaulted at a group home in Johnston, say justice has not been served one year after her death.
Johnston police say Jovahn Mathis, a 15-year-old resident of the group home, shoved Galloway-Menke to the ground on May 8 last year, causing her to hit her head on the pavement, which led to brain damage and her death a few days later.
Mathis is charged with second-degree murder, but is expected to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter on May 28. He will be sentenced as a youthful offender, meaning he won't be formally sentenced until he's 18.
The Polk County Attorney's Office stated that this plea deal creates "the longest period of accountability." However, Galloway-Menke's daughters prefer to maintain the second-degree murder charge, as they do not believe Mathis can be rehabilitated.
Her daughters describe Galloway-Menke as a generous and loving person who cared deeply about the youth she worked with. They noted that she was an organ donor and continues to help people even after her death.
"She was the most giving person. Most giving person and we're very happy that she was able to give and still give. Her skin and her tissue will be able to be donated for the next two to three years. She is going to be helping people for a long time," said Chloe Williamson, Galloway-Menke's daughter.
Galloway-Menke's daughters announced that her celebration of life will be held on May 31 at noon at the Izaak Walton League in Des Moines, inviting anyone who wishes to celebrate the impact she made on their lives.
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