Facility profile South Carolina

Carolina Springs Academy

Formerly Magnolia Hills Christian Academy around 2011source

Also known as Seneca Ranch, Magnolia Hills Christian Academy

Closed Donalds, South Carolina

Carolina Springs Academy was a therpeutic boarding school in Donalds, South Carolina, operated by World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS). It operated from 1998 to 2009.

About Carolina Springs Academy

First residents came from Morava Academy, a WWASP program raided and shut down in 1998.source It was founded by Narvin Lichfield, who founded it in 1998 near Due West.source Re-opened in 2011 as Magnolia Christian School.source It was founded by Narvin Lichfield and Richard Byars.source Property owned by Carolina Honey, owned by the Lichfield family.source It was renamed from Carolina Springs Academy.source

It sat on 210 Green Acres Ln, Donalds, SC 29638.source Stays lasted 2-3 years.source New dormitory built 2004; capacity raised from 58 to 162.source

One of more than a dozen institutions affiliated with the Utah-based Worldwide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS).source

Timeline

From the records: who ran it and the deals that moved it, its names, and the deaths, incidents, inspection findings, lawsuits and news stories on file. Point at an event, or tap "More about this", for the details.

199819992002200320062007200820092010201119982011

  1. 1998

    1. Opened

      Opened in Donalds, South Carolina

    2. Incident

      Closure order

      In fall 1998 the South Carolina DSS ordered Carolina Springs Academy to close three times for operating without a state license.

      Closure order

      source

  2. 1999

    1. Incident

      Investigation

      After investigating in December 1998 and January 1999, South Carolina DSS found serious deficiencies and two incidents of discipline that may constitute cruel...

      Investigation

      After investigating in December 1998 and January 1999, South Carolina DSS found serious deficiencies and two incidents of discipline that may constitute cruel and inhumane punishment.

      source

    2. IncidentApril 1999

      License action

      In April 1999 DSS held its request to close the program after Teen Help agreed to replace Richard Byars and make changes.

      License action April 1999

      source

  3. 2002

    1. IncidentJanuary 2002

      Lawsuit

      WWASP sued Sue Scheff in January 2002; a jury ruled for Scheff in 2004 and she defeated WWASP again on appeal in June 2006.

      Lawsuit January 2002

      source

  4. 2003

    1. Incident

      Arrest

      Narvin Lichfield was arrested in Costa Rica in 2003 after the Academy at Dundee Ranch was raided, held 24 hours on abuse, coercion and human-rights charges, then released.

      Arrest

      source

    2. Incident

      License action

      In 2003 South Carolina DSS banned Narvin Lichfield from the Carolina Springs Academy premises and cited the program for unapproved buildings and untrained staff.

      License action

      source

    3. In the newsJuly 13, 2003

      Provo Canyon School Closure

      2 articles in Los Angeles Times and US Represented, 2003 to 2014.

      Provo Canyon School Closure July 13, 2003

      This 2003 article examines Robert Browning Lichfield and his involvement in the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) network. It details allegations of severe disciplinary practices, regulatory investigations, and lawsuits while highlighting Lichfield's financial and political influence.

  5. 2006

    1. Incident

      Lawsuit

      In 2006 Carolina Springs Academy was named a defendant in the Turley class-action lawsuit against WWASP.

      Lawsuit

      source

  6. 2007

    1. Incident

      Incident

      In 2007 Narvin Lichfield was acquitted of all charges from his Costa Rica arrest.

      Incident

      source

    2. Incident

      Lawsuit

      After a former resident sued over months of denied medical care for a wrist injury, Lexington Insurance Company successfully sued CSA to revoke its $1 million liability insurance.

      Lawsuit

      source

  7. 2008

    1. Incident

      Restraint

      A survivor reports staff tied a female student to a bed by all four limbs with a spit guard for hours.

      Restraint

      source

    2. Incident

      Sexual abuse

      A survivor who attended in 2008 reports staff sexually abused residents, and that a male staff member sexually harassed her.

      Sexual abuse

      source

    3. IncidentJune 2008

      Incident

      A fire destroyed a dorm at the school in June 2008; no one was injured and the boys were moved to another dorm.

      Incident June 2008

      source

    4. IncidentJune 25, 2008

      Incident

      A fire on June 25, 2008 destroyed a dormitory housing 57 boys; no one was inside or injured.

      Incident June 25, 2008

      source

  8. 2009

    1. Incident

      License action

      State officials sought to revoke the school's license based on numerous violations found in 19 site visits over 18 months, and the school shut down in 2009.

      License action

      source

    2. IncidentSeptember 2009

      Closure order

      After failed petitions to reverse the license revocation, CSA closed in September 2009 and stayed closed about two years.

      Closure order September 2009

      source

    3. Closed

      Closed

  9. 2010

    1. Incident

      Incident

      A rescuer reported dozens of animals abandoned at the closed Carolina Springs Academy property, whose owner of the animals was said to be Narvin Lichfield, in 2010.

      Incident

      source

    2. IncidentJune 2010

      Incident

      Carolina Springs Academy (WWASPS) closed in June 2010 according to SC DSS; dozens of animals owned by Narvin Lichfield were found abandoned.

      Incident June 2010

      source

    3. IncidentSeptember 2010

      Investigation

      In September 2010 remains of over 70 farm animals were found at the abandoned campus and dozens more were found starving; no charges were brought against Lichfield.

      Investigation September 2010

      source

  10. 2011

    1. Incident

      Arrest

      Narvin Lichfield was arrested in South Carolina in 2011 for driving on a suspended license without insurance and served three bad-check summonses totaling about $2,000.

      Arrest

      source

    2. Incident

      Criminal charge

      Narvin Lichfield was served 3 summonses over bad checks totaling about $2,000 written on Carolina Springs Academy's closed checking account.

      Criminal charge

      source

    3. IncidentJanuary 2011

      Criminal charge

      Narvin Lichfield was arrested Jan.

      Criminal charge January 2011

      Narvin Lichfield was arrested Jan. 28, 2011 for driving with a suspended license and entered a no contest plea; bad check summonses against him were not prosecuted.

      source

    4. IncidentJanuary 2011

      Arrest

      Narvin Lichfield spent a night in Abbeville County Detention Center in January 2011 and was uncertain about reopening the school.

      Arrest January 2011

      source

As Carolina Springs Academy

1998 to 2013 | WWASPS

Incidents on record

  1. 1998 Closure order

    In fall 1998 the South Carolina DSS ordered Carolina Springs Academy to close three times for operating without a state license.source

  2. 1999 Investigation

    After investigating in December 1998 and January 1999, South Carolina DSS found serious deficiencies and two incidents of discipline that may constitute cruel and inhumane punishment.source

  3. April 1999 License action

    In April 1999 DSS held its request to close the program after Teen Help agreed to replace Richard Byars and make changes.source

  4. January 2002 Lawsuit

    WWASP sued Sue Scheff in January 2002; a jury ruled for Scheff in 2004 and she defeated WWASP again on appeal in June 2006.source

  5. 2003 Arrest

    Narvin Lichfield was arrested in Costa Rica in 2003 after the Academy at Dundee Ranch was raided, held 24 hours on abuse, coercion and human-rights charges, then released.source

  6. 2003 License action

    In 2003 South Carolina DSS banned Narvin Lichfield from the Carolina Springs Academy premises and cited the program for unapproved buildings and untrained staff.source

  7. 2006 Lawsuit

    In 2006 Carolina Springs Academy was named a defendant in the Turley class-action lawsuit against WWASP.source

  8. Lawsuit

    Narvin Lichfield was named a defendant in Lexington Insurance Company vs. Carolina Springs et al., a personal injury suit, and in the Turley class action suit.source

  9. Lawsuit

    Narvin Lichfield was named defendant in Lexington Insurance Company vs. Carolina Springs et al. and the Turley class action.source

  10. Lawsuit

    The owner was a defendant in Lexington Insurance Company v. Carolina Springs, a personal injury suit, and in the Turley class action.source

  11. 2007 Incident

    In 2007 Narvin Lichfield was acquitted of all charges from his Costa Rica arrest.source

  12. 2007 Lawsuit

    After a former resident sued over months of denied medical care for a wrist injury, Lexington Insurance Company successfully sued CSA to revoke its $1 million liability insurance.source

  13. 2008 Restraint

    A survivor reports staff tied a female student to a bed by all four limbs with a spit guard for hours.source

  14. 2008 Sexual abuse

    A survivor who attended in 2008 reports staff sexually abused residents, and that a male staff member sexually harassed her.source

  15. June 2008 Incident

    A fire destroyed a dorm at the school in June 2008; no one was injured and the boys were moved to another dorm.source

  16. June 25, 2008 Incident

    A fire on June 25, 2008 destroyed a dormitory housing 57 boys; no one was inside or injured.source

  17. 2009 License action

    State officials sought to revoke the school's license based on numerous violations found in 19 site visits over 18 months, and the school shut down in 2009.source

  18. September 2009 Closure order

    After failed petitions to reverse the license revocation, CSA closed in September 2009 and stayed closed about two years.source

  19. 2010 Incident

    A rescuer reported dozens of animals abandoned at the closed Carolina Springs Academy property, whose owner of the animals was said to be Narvin Lichfield, in 2010.source

  20. June 2010 Incident

    Carolina Springs Academy (WWASPS) closed in June 2010 according to SC DSS; dozens of animals owned by Narvin Lichfield were found abandoned.source

  21. September 2010 Investigation

    In September 2010 remains of over 70 farm animals were found at the abandoned campus and dozens more were found starving; no charges were brought against Lichfield.source

  22. 2011 Arrest

    Narvin Lichfield was arrested in South Carolina in 2011 for driving on a suspended license without insurance and served three bad-check summonses totaling about $2,000.source

  23. 2011 Criminal charge

    Narvin Lichfield was served 3 summonses over bad checks totaling about $2,000 written on Carolina Springs Academy's closed checking account.source

  24. January 2011 Criminal charge

    Narvin Lichfield was arrested Jan. 28, 2011 for driving with a suspended license and entered a no contest plea; bad check summonses against him were not prosecuted.source

  25. January 2011 Arrest

    Narvin Lichfield spent a night in Abbeville County Detention Center in January 2011 and was uncertain about reopening the school.source

News coverage

  • Reason Jun 27, 2007 Expose

    Mitt Romney's Campaign Connections to Abusive Adolescent Treatment Programs

    The article examines the connections between presidential candidate Mitt Romney's campaign fundraisers and residential treatment programs facing widespread allegations of abuse. Founders Robert Lichfield of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) and Mel Sembler of Straight Inc. faced numerous lawsuits and investigations regarding allegations of physical restraint, food and sleep deprivation, and psychological abuse.

  • Los Angeles Times Jul 13, 2003 Corporate

    Key to His Schools’ Success? It’s God, Founder Says

    This 2003 article examines Robert Browning Lichfield and his involvement in the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) network. It details allegations of severe disciplinary practices, regulatory investigations, and lawsuits while highlighting Lichfield's financial and political influence.

As Seneca Ranch

from 2013

News coverage

  • US Represented Dec 1, 2014 Expose

    An Examination of Systemic Abuse and Oversight Gaps in Residential Treatment Programs

    This article examines documented instances of systemic abuse, neglect, and human rights violations across various residential treatment programs and youth facilities in the United States and internationally. It highlights findings from government investigations and congressional testimony demonstrating a lack of federal oversight, inadequate state regulations, and the persistence of harmful practices within the troubled teen industry.

Lawsuits

  • Wood, et al. v. World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools, Inc., et al. Unknown | Fifth Judicial District Court, Washington County, Utah | 120500380 Names this facility

    William Chase Wood and several hundred other former students and their parents sued the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS), founder Robert Lichfield, his business partners and dozens of affiliated programs, marketing and billing companies in Utah's Fifth Judicial District Court in Washington County. The document on file is the plaintiffs' 228-page first amended complaint, submitted July 24, 2013, which refers to claim sheets filed in the case on December 17, 2012 in opposition to a WWASPS motion to dismiss. It alleges that students placed at WWASPS programs in Utah, other states, Mexico, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Samoa and the Czech Republic from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s were beaten, restrained, locked in isolation and small boxes or cages, denied food and medical care, sexually abused and forced to work without pay. It alleges the programs operated as a single enterprise that deceived parents and concealed the abuse, and brings negligence, fraud, contract, conspiracy and emotional distress claims. The document does not show how the case ended.

Every case in the lawsuit directory

Incidents on record

  1. Abuse

    Survivors report rampant physical abuse by staff, including pinning residents to the ground with a knee in the back, and solitary confinement in Observational Placement.source

  2. Abuse

    Teens placed in Observation Placement, a form of solitary confinement, were reportedly forced to hold their arms overhead for hours.source

  3. Lawsuit

    CSA lost a lawsuit by a former resident who fractured her arm falling off a horse; she was awarded $200,000.source

Videos

Upper School at CSA Watch on YouTube
Carolina Springs Academy Marketing Video 2 Watch on YouTube
Link to Ryan's Survivor Testimonial Watch on YouTube
Carolina Springs Academy Marketing Video 1 Watch on YouTube
Walking around what is left of Carolina Springs Academy Watch on YouTube
Upper level dorm at CSA Watch on YouTube
1 of 6

Staff

Administration

Notable staff

Connections on the network map

The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.

Ownership

  • WWASPS

Documents

Documents on file (2)

From the Unsilenced archive

241 documents about Carolina Springs Academy that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their whole folder: Carolina Springs Academy.

Documents (238)
Program Documents (2)
Survivor Stories (1)

Wiki entries

Materials and links

External links

Government records

Survivor posts and discussion

Advertising and marketing listings

Archived pages

Other links

Record updated . Generated from the Kids Over Profits facility database. Suggest a correction