Facility profile Alabama
Southeast Alabama Youth Leadership Academy
Also known as Camp SAYLA
Southeast Alabama Youth Leadership Academy was a program in Abbeville, Alabama.
News coverage
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‘Enough Is enough.’ Paris Hilton joins Alabama lawmakers in pushing for child safety reform
Alabama lawmakers and Paris Hilton are pushing for child safety reform after reports of abuse and neglect in residential facilities. The proposed reform aims to close oversight gaps and strengthen transparency and reporting. Several incidents of staff violence and abuse have been documented in facilities operated by Sequel Youth and Family Services and Camp SAYLA.
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Children were beaten, encouraged to fight at state-funded AL facility, lawsuits claim
Two lawsuits accuse Camp SAYLA, an Alabama youth facility, of physical abuse and neglect. The suits name staff member Kenyatta Danzey, alleging he harmed children and encouraged violence among residents. Plaintiffs Jamarion Bullock and Pamela Boone’s child claim the abuse was ignored by staff. Attorney Tommy James argues such misconduct is widespread in state-funded facilities. The Alabama Department of Youth Services suspended Camp SAYLA’s license after investigations but later reinstated it. The facility is currently inactive.
Staff
Administration
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Kelly Hollis
Executive director
Elsewhere in the industry
- Laurel Oaks Behavioral Health Center Referral/Assessment Specialist (2021)
Research notes
- Closed per news report: Montgomery Advertiser, "Children were beaten, encouraged to fight at state-funded AL facility, lawsuits claim", 2025-08-01 source