Facility profile Florida
Lakeland Girls Academy
Also known as Teen Challenge Lakeland Girls Home
Lakeland Girls Academy was a christian boarding school in Lakeland, Florida, operated by Teen Challenge. It operated from 1958 to 2022.
About Lakeland Girls Academy
It opened in 2001.
Also drawn on: Unsilenced, "Alex’s Testimony – Teen Challenge Lakeland Girls Home (2004 – 2006)".
News coverage
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Lakeland Girls Academy Permanently Closes Following 2020 Resident Death and State Neglect Findings
The faith-based boarding school Lakeland Girls Academy permanently closed following the 2020 death of a 17-year-old resident. A state Department of Children and Families investigation revealed findings of inadequate supervision and medical neglect prior to the resident's death, prompting the family to announce plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
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Regulatory Oversight of Faith-Based Group Homes in Florida
Florida law permits certain faith-based children's and maternity homes to operate under the regulatory authority of a private nonprofit association rather than state licensing standards. Lawmakers and child welfare experts have raised concerns regarding this exemption, citing less rigorous staff hiring and training requirements and historical allegations of misconduct within association-registered facilities.
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Regulatory Oversight and Licensing Exemptions in Florida Faith-Based Maternity and Group Homes
State lawmakers are examining a Florida nonprofit organization that holds regulatory authority over approximately two dozen faith-based maternity homes and residential facilities, exempting them from state licensing and inspections. Reports indicate that these facilities face allegations of restrictive practices and employ staff training and hiring standards that are less rigorous than those mandated by the state.
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Judge Moves Vermont Family’s Wrongful Death Lawsuit to Religious Proceeding
A Florida judge ruled that the Wood family cannot pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against Adult & Teen Challenge USA, the faith‑based organization that operated Lakeland Girls Academy, where 17‑year‑old Naomi Wood died in May 2020. The judge ordered the family to resolve the dispute through Christian arbitration, citing a signed agreement that waived litigation rights. The family has expressed disappointment and called for a reopening of the investigation into Naomi’s death.
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Lakeland Girls Academy Closes Following 2020 Student Fatality
Lakeland Girls Academy, a faith-based boarding school, has permanently closed following the 2020 death of 17-year-old student Naomi Wood. State investigators concluded the student experienced inadequate supervision and medical neglect prior to her death, and the family intends to pursue civil legal action against the facility.
1 article about celebrities and viral stories
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Family of girl who died at Lakeland boarding school joins Paris Hilton calls for action on ‘troubled teen’ industry
The Wood family and advocates, including Paris Hilton, met with lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to request federal legislation overseeing youth residential facilities. They cited the death of Naomi Wood at the faith‑based Lakeland Girls Academy and alleged medical neglect and inadequate supervision at the school. The group called for stronger oversight to prevent similar incidents.
Staff
Administration
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Gregory Del Valle
Former Executive Director (2009)source
Notable staff
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Bob Lee
Former Staff (2001)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Columbus Girls Academy Executive Director, 2003-2012
- Teen Challenge Adolescent Division Leader
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Karla Lee
Former Staff (2001)source
Elsewhere in the industry
- Columbus Girls Academy Executive Director, 2003-2012
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Dan Williams
Former Co-Owner and Co-Executive Directorsource
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Holly Williams
Former Co-Owner and Co-Executive Directorsource
Connections on the network map
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Documents
From the Unsilenced archive
2 documents about Lakeland Girls Academy that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their whole folder: Lakeland Girls Home.
Wiki entries
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