Teens accused of breaking into paranormal research center

Victoria E. Freile • Staff writer

Three Genesee County teens were arrested following a weekend break-in at the former Genesee County Home in Bethany, where it’s believed ghosts roam the hallways.



Robert A. Ferguson, 19, of Oakfield, and two younger teens, 17 and 16, were each charged with third-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, according to Genesee County sheriff’s deputies. Ferguson and the 16-year-old were also each charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief, a misdemeanor.



In addition, Ferguson was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation, deputies said.



The three teens are accused of entering the Rolling Hills Paranormal Research Center about 7:25 p.m. Saturday, deputies said. The trio apparently entered through an open window of a solarium, which did not allow access to the rest of the building, deputies said.



Ferguson and the 16-year-old then allegedly headed to another part of the building where they are accused of breaking three exterior windows and entering the building again, deputies said. The teens fled the scene when an alarm sounded.



Deputies located two of the teens nearby in the adjacent Genesee County Park in about 40 minutes. The other was located a short time later at a residence in Pavilion.



All three teens received appearance tickets are and slated to answer the charges in Bethany Town Court at 7 p.m. Jan. 13.



The Rolling Hills Paranormal Research Center, 11001 Bethany Center Road, had at one time been a poorhouse, orphanage, asylum, a nursing home and a shopping mall. According to county historical records, more than 1,750 people died while living in the structure and many are buried nearby.



Stores in the building closed last year, but according to the center’s Web site, property owners still host ghost hunts, tours and courses in the center.



VFREILE@DemocratandChronicle.com