Facility profile North Carolina
Trails Carolina
Also known as Trails Academy, The Academy at Trails
Trails Carolina was a wilderness therapy in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, operated by Family Help & Wellness. It operated from 2008 to 2024.
News coverage
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AP investigation: Adopted kids confined in private for-profit facilities
This Associated Press investigation uncovers a "shadow orphanage system" where adopted children are disproportionately placed in for-profit residential treatment facilities. These institutions often market themselves to families by misusing the diagnosis of Reactive Attachment Disorder to justify expensive and unregulated "tough-love" programs. Rather than finding support, many children experience systemic abuse, isolation, and neglect in environments focused on profit margins. The report emphasizes that these institutional settings often cause more harm than healing, failing the vulnerable children they were meant to protect.
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Adopted and Locked Away: Kids promised ‘forever homes’ instead confined in for-profit institutions
The article investigates the 'troubled teen industry', a network of for-profit residential treatment centers, wilderness programs, and boarding schools, and its impact on adopted children. Many adopted children are sent to these facilities, where they often experience physical restraint, abuse, and neglect. The industry is largely unregulated, and facilities often prioritize profits over the well-being of the children in their care.
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Federal lawsuit details alleged abuse, coercion at now-closed teen programs
A federal lawsuit has been filed against Wilderness Training & Consulting LLC, alleging that four young adults were subjected to abuse, neglect, and forced labor while minors at Trails Carolina and Solstice East. The plaintiffs claim they were marketed therapeutic treatment but instead experienced coercion, humiliation, and physical restraint. The lawsuit also alleges violations of the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.
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New lawsuit claims abuse, neglect at two Asheville-area teen centers
A federal lawsuit has been filed against two now-shuttered teen treatment centers in the Asheville area, alleging that residents suffered physical abuse, neglect, and forced labor. The lawsuit claims that the facilities, Trails Carolina and Solstice East, failed to provide adequate care and supervision, and instead used punitive measures to control residents. The plaintiffs allege that they were subjected to various forms of abuse, including physical restraints, strip searches, and humiliation.
Deaths on record
Staff
Administration
- Graham Shannonhouse (Executive Director, Founder). Previously: Executive Director- SUWS of the Carolinas
- Jeremy Whitworth (Executive Director)
- Jason McKeown (Clinical Director). Previously: therapist - SUWS of the Carolinas therapist - Phoenix Outdoor
- Jeniveve Rollins (Clinical Director). Previously: Clinical Director - Santiam Crossing (Catherine Freer Wilderness Program)
Notable staff
- Alec Rothschild (Therapist)
- Amanda Mojave (Therapist). Previously: therapist - Asheville Academy for Girls (2015-2019)
- Ashley Brown (Therapist)
- Carla Shorts (Therapist). Previously: Therapist - Cherokee Creek Boys School Marketing & Admissions Director - Black Mountain Academy Director of Client Relations - Aspiro Wilderness
- Carlyn Daubs (Therapist). Previously: therapist - Stone Mountain School
- Derry O'Kane (Therapist)
- Jana Eilermann (Therapist)
- Jim Johnston (Therapist)
- Jose Arizmendi (Therapist). Previously: Lone Star Expeditions
- Justin Messinger (Therapist)
- Leigh Uhlenkott (Therapist). Previously: SUWS of the Carolinas Clinical Director - Stone Mountain School
- Mary Flora (Therapist). Previously: Clinical Director - Asheville Academy for Girls
- Melissa Pearl (Therapist)
- Sarah Hutchison (Therapist)
- Sarah James (Therapist)
- Sarah McGahran (Therapist)
- Shalene Pierce (Therapist)
- Taisir El-Souessi (Therapist). Previously: Family Counselor - Youth Villages Seasonal Therapist/Field Supervisor - SUWS of the Carolinas Therapist - Asheville Academy for Girls Family Program Manager - SUWS of the Carolinas
- Todd Green (Therapist)
- Travis Wireback (Therapist). Previously: Family Counselor - Youth Villages Therapist - Asheville Academy for Girls
Research notes
- He currently works as the Adjunct Instructor of Graduate Clinical Studies at Lenoir-Rhyne University and currently works at Elevate Family Wellness
- current Clinical Director at "Ignite Adulthood," the rebrand of Trails Momentum
- He currently works as the Adjunct Instructor of Graduate Clinical Studies at Lenoir-Rhyne University and currently works at Elevate Family Wellness
- became Executive Director of Solstice East, before "founding" Magnolia Mill School
- became Executive Director of Solstice East, then "founded" Magnolia Mill School
- Named as a defendant in lawsuit against Trails; she failed to report sexual assault. Currently works at Elevate Family Wellness
- Named as a defendant in lawsuit against Trails; she failed to report sexual assault. Currently works at Elevate Family Wellness
- immediately became employed by Magnolia Mill School after Trails shut down
- currently works at Elevate Family Wellness
- revoked after death in 2024
- revoked after death in 2024
- first accredited in 2014
- 1 death in 2014, 1 death in 2024
Wiki entries
Materials and links
Materials the project holds for this facility. Ask through the correction form to see any of them.
Other documentation
- Note10/11/2024: Case No. 1:24-cv-00253 John Doe filed a lawsuit against Trails Carolina and Family Help & Wellness, claiming gross negligence, labor trafficking, deceptive marketing, and unfair trade practices. John was 18 when he attended Trails Momentum in 2021. The lawsuit details the program’s abuse, neglect, and forced labor of John and other residents, as well as how Trails intentionally omitted abuse and neglect. Of note, “John met with his assigned therapist once a week for an hour meaning that only .5% of his time in Trails was engaging with a mental health staff person.” Despite John Doe being a legal adult, he was prevented from leaving the program, which included threats from staff “that he would be forced back or even arrested if he attempted to leave.” As of 3/31/2026, the case is currently pending arbitration proceedings. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f6b390e0674315a2fc101e6/t/67165acd5f76d510325cc484/1729518285994/10.11.24+Complaint_Filed_Trails.pdf https://www.justicelawcollaborative.com/newsandupdates/press-release-justice-law-collaborative-files-lawsuit-against-trails-carolina 10/11/2024: Case No. 1:24-cv-00254 Jane Doe and June Doe, parents of plaintiff John Doe, filed a class action complaint against Trails Carolina and Family Help & Wellness. They are seeking refunds of tuition for themselves and Class members, as well as asking the court to award additional funds for damages, including deceptive and unfair practices, negligent misrepresentation, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Although the total price of the financial damages was not listed, the complaint states that Jane Doe and June Doe paid $24,570 for the first 42 days of Trails Momentum. As of 2/3/2026, legal proceedings are still ongoing. 6/20/2025: Case No. 1:25-cv-00187 Plaintiff R.B. filed a complaint against Asheville Academy, Trails Carolina, and FH&W, claiming gross negligence, forced labor trafficking, and deceptive business practices. The complaint details R. B.’s abuse, neglect, and forced labor while enrolled at Trails Carolina and Asheville Academy. R.B. was 14 when she was brought to Trails in 2016. In the 77 days she was held here, she lost approximately 70 pounds. The complaint provides background into FH&W’s complex collection of organizations and individuals, describing the Defendants’ as “a web of interconnected entities and investment entities that operated these facilities as profit centers while systematically failing to protect the children in their care.” 12/31/2025: Case 1:2025cv00457 Plaintiffs C.C., V.M., L.R. and K.G. filed a lawsuit against FH&W, Asheville Academy, and Trails Carolina with claims of forced labor trafficking, negligence, deceptive practices, and civil conspiracy. The complaint claims the actions arise out of the “systematic abuse, neglect, exploitation and forced labor of the Plaintiffs at a corporate-controlled residential facility that had promised to provide the vulnerable minors with therapeutic treatment.” The lawsuit details a pattern of systematic abuse, coercion, punishment, threats and forced labor at both Solstice East and Trails Carolina. Plaintiffs were subjected to forced labor, physical restraints, food restriction, punitive isolation, and attack therapy.