Whitmore Academy

Survivor testimony

What people who lived or worked here say happened. Survivors' own words are published with their permission; forum accounts are what was posted publicly and are reported as claims, not findings.

Reported on survivor forums

1. 2004 Investigation

   Child protective services investigated Whitmore Academy following accusations, leading to children being interviewed and detained.source

2. 2004 Abuse

   A student alleged that if you run away, staff beat you.source

3. 2004 Runaway

   A student left without permission, drank alcohol, assaulted a police officer, and subsequently ran away.source

4. 2004 Incident

   An anonymous former participant alleged that students were subjected to sleep deprivation through late-night group sessions starting as late as 3 AM, used to humiliate targeted individuals.source

5. Reported July 2004 Abuse

   Resident reported being placed in OP (lying face down on the floor without moving or speaking for days) and beaten if they moved, alongside verbal abuse.source

6. Reported July 2004 Abuse

   A former resident describes being placed in OP (lying face down on the floor without moving or speaking for days) and facing physical beatings if they moved.source

7. Reported September 2004 Abuse

   Former student alleges physical abuse and being knocked down and spit on.source

8. Reported October 2004 Incident

   Owners Mark and Cheryl Sudweeks faced legal issues and animal abuse charges in British Columbia regarding neglected horses and dogs.source

9. Reported October 2004 Incident

   Operators Mark and Cheryl Sudweeks faced SPCA charges and legal action in British Columbia regarding animal neglect and seizing of horses and dogs.source

10. Reported October 2004 Neglect

    SPCA charges regarding leaving horses without food, resulting in lost animals and a ban on owning animals in BC.source

11. Reported December 2004 Abuse

    A student was forced to participate in hitting, punching, and kicking another student at the direction of Cheryl Sudweeks.source

12. 2005 Abuse

    Students Hannah and Camille were beaten up by Casie and other students after running away, directed by the Sudweeks.source

13. 2005 Investigation

    Police were called to a movie theater in Provo following a fight involving staff and students, leading to police reports and allegations of staff misconduct.source

14. Reported January 2005 Incident

    A fight broke out at a Provo movie theater involving Whitmore students and Cheryl Sudweeks, resulting in police being called and students being asked to lie.source

15. Reported January 2005 Abuse

    Students Hannah and Camille were allegedly beaten up by another student named Casie because they ran away after Mark Sudweeks found out Hannah wrote an email home.source

16. Reported January 2005 Investigation

    A boy filed abuse charges against Mark and Cheryl Sudweeks, leading to police questioning of students.source

• Fornits lead (investigation): Posters mention an ongoing police investigation by the Nephi Police into Whitmore Academy regarding abuse allegations. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, December 2004: https://www.fornits.com/phpbb/index.php?topic=4457.138)
• Fornits lead (investigation): Posters mention an active police and official investigation into Whitmore Academy. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, December 2004: https://www.fornits.com/phpbb/index.php?topic=4457.138)
• Fornits lead (investigation): CBC news article regarding animal abuse charges against the owners in Canada. http://cbc.ca/cgi-bin/templates/view.cgi?/news/2001/02/27/animal_abuse010227 (Fornits forum, post by Antigen, October 2004: https://www.fornits.com/phpbb/index.php?topic=4457.45)
• Fornits lead (investigation): Ongoing police investigation and questioning regarding conditions at Whitmore Academy. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, December 2004: https://www.fornits.com/phpbb/index.php?topic=4457.173)
• Fornits lead (investigation): Court documents and SPCA records regarding animal abuse charges against Mark Sudweeks in British Columbia. http://www.animaladvocates.com/ILLEGAL-SEIZURES/Regina-v.Sudweeks.htm (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, October 2004: https://www.fornits.com/phpbb/index.php?topic=4457.47)
• Fornits lead (investigation): Abuse charges filed against Mark and Cheryl Sudweeks by a student. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, January 2005: https://www.fornits.com/phpbb/index.php?topic=4457.232)
• Fornits lead (investigation): Utah Child and Family Services and the health department investigated Whitmore Academy and initiated license revocation proceedings. (Fornits forum, post by Antigen, December 2004: https://www.fornits.com/phpbb/index.php?topic=4457.91)
• Fornits lead (investigation): Ongoing police and community investigation into Whitmore Academy. (Fornits forum, post by Antigen, December 2004: https://www.fornits.com/phpbb/index.php?topic=4457.211)
• Fornits lead (investigation): Child protective services and local law enforcement investigated Whitmore Academy after complaints and an incident involving a student. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, November 2004: https://www.fornits.com/phpbb/index.php?topic=4457.64)
• Fornits lead (investigation): Child Protective Services and local police investigated Whitmore Academy following complaints and reports involving students and staff. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, November 2004: https://www.fornits.com/phpbb/index.php?topic=4457.63)
• Fornits lead (investigation): Child and Family Services intended to revoke Whitmore Academy's license due to allegations of verbal and physical abuse, bad sanitation, and poor food. (Fornits forum, post by Antigen, December 2004: https://www.fornits.com/phpbb/index.php?topic=4457.91)
• Fornits lead (investigation): Utah Child and Family Services and the health department investigated Whitmore Academy and moved to revoke the treatment facility's license following abuse allegations. (Fornits forum, post by Antigen, December 2004: https://www.fornits.com/phpbb/index.php?topic=4457.91)
• Fornits lead (investigation): Posters mention that Whitmore Academy is under investigation by the Nephi Police regarding abuse allegations. (Fornits forum, post by Anonymous, December 2004: https://www.fornits.com/phpbb/index.php?topic=4457.138)

• Fornits: Whitmore Academy in Utah? (2004-2005, 707 posts). The thread features conflicting accounts about Whitmore Academy, with former students alleging abuse, unfulfilled promises regarding personal property, and forced religious practices, while parents and other posters defend the program as helpful.