MARIANNA, Fla. – For more than 60 years, the Dozier School for Boys in rural north Florida was a place to be feared. A 2009 investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement found 31 marked and unmarked graves at the school.
Now, after authorities found another 20 bodies, there are calls for a state law enforcement investigation to be reopened.
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When University of South Florida researchers began unearthing bodies at the defunct school, many local residents were unhappy.
"It's something that happened 50-60 years ago. You know, let bygones be bygones," said insurance agent John Perkins.
"I believe it's going to be a hornet's nest," John Cooper said.
A report submitted by USF last month showed that researchers uncovered the remains of 51 people -- 20 more bodies than FDLE said it found in 2009.
The finding has prompted state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam to ask FDLE to take another look.
"We need to close this chapter, this sad chapter in Florida's history," said state Sen. Bill Montford, who represents the area. "But to do that, I agree with Commissioner Putnam: Let's move forward, let's find out what the answers are."
"How many lives were lost at Dozier?" Sen. Arthenia Joyner asked.
"And how, perhaps?" Joyner was asked.
"Yes, and how those deaths occurred," Joyner said.
FDLE will say only that it has received the letter and is taking it under advisement.
USF has been able to identify only five of the 51 bodies so far.