Carole Klyce, Labeled “Incorrigible Child,” Calls Us to Action

by Rachel Norby

“Flight Risk” tells the painful story of Carole Klyce’s own adolescence. Beginning with herself as a nine-year-old in 1958, Klyce’s one-woman show recounts the devastating events of her youth through the lens of the child that she was.

With each new experience, she gains a little more maturity and becomes a little more wary, though we never forget that through it all, she is still a mere child. Her use of wardrobe helps to distinguish her ages and times of life. She does not indicate or tell us how to feel; the experiences that she chooses to share are enough to make us long desperately for this little girl to have a better life.

Carole is only twelve years old when she is brought before a judge who deems her “incorrigible” and sentences her to juvenile detention. The judge refuses to believe that Carole’s foster father has done any of the indecent things that Carole claims.

When she tries to protest her foster father’s lies about her, the judge rebukes her, saying: “You’re already in enough trouble as it is.” Since the judge was a woman, her dismissiveness of little Carole’s plight becomes even more devastating. Klyce’s description and imitation of the wizened judge with beady eyes and gnarled fingers makes the scene pull at our hearts.

Carole’s own social worker does not believe her, shrugging off her claims: “None of the other girls ever complained” and telling the judge that Carole is a flight risk—not the last time Carole has to run from danger.

Klyce narrates her story with candor, not a word wasted or used carelessly. Each event moves her story along. At times she uses the past tense when it would have been more effective in the present, but that does not detract from the narrative.

She helps us truly see those children and teens who have not been given a fair start in life. They still deserve empathy, care, and respect. They cannot succeed without our support.

Throughout Klyce’s chronicling of her youth, moments tinged with hope emerge. We must believe that risking those rare opportunities saved her life.

Klyce’s story is heartbreaking and tragic. The real tragedy, though, is that many children continue to suffer through these same terrible realities. Fortunately, she reminds us that opportunities to help do exist.

Many organizations, such as CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) and Alive & Free, constantly need people like you and me to donate their time and/or money to help kids who need additional support. Klyce did not have much have many supportive people in her life growing up, but those she did have made all the difference.

 

“Flight Risk” –written & performed by Carole Klyce, directed by Deb Fink, at The Marsh Berkeley.

Info: themarsh.org – Saturdays, 5:00 PM – to June 20, 2026.

Cast: Carole Klyce (telling her story).