Woodward Academy

Incidents on record

1. 2016 Restraint

   A former Washington foster youth told InvestigateWest he was held down by three staffers for more than two hours at Woodward Academy for cursing.source

2. Restraint

   A former resident told InvestigateWest he was restrained by three staff for more than two hours for swearing, and on another occasion restrained by six staff for about two hours.source

3. 2018 Investigation

   In early 2018 Disability Rights Washington interviewed dozens of teens at Woodward Academy and Clarinda Academy and heard consistent allegations of verbal and physical abuse.source

4. 2018 Restraint

   A former Woodward Academy staff member said he quit after about three months partly over how often youths were restrained and injured.source

5. November 2018 Investigation

   In November 2018 Iowa's Human Services and Inspections and Appeals departments began investigating complaints of restraints, assault and abuse at Woodward and Clarinda Academy; Clarinda was shut down but Woodward continued operating.source

6. 2020 License action

   Iowa inspectors found over two years that Woodward Academy staff put residents in inappropriate restraints without justification, and found the facility in disrepair.source

7. Sexual abuse

   A former resident told IowaWatch that a female staff member approached him for sex, and that a male staff member who touched his genitals was terminated less than two months after a PREA report.source

News coverage

• 

  NBC News Dec 16, 2020 Expose

  Sequel Youth Facilities Face Abuse Allegations Amid Profit Claims

  Essential reporting

  NBC News on the money Sequel's youth facilities made while children in its care were reportedly abused.

  The article reports that Sequel youth facilities have generated significant revenue while facing allegations of abuse toward children in their care. It highlights concerns about the facilities' operational practices and oversight mechanisms.

• 

  The Imprint Jul 22, 2025 Closure

  ‘State-sponsored Abandonment’ No More: California Stops Paying for Adoptees Sent to Out-of-State Treatment Centers

  California has ceased funding residential treatment placements for adopted foster youth in other states, closing what advocates termed a dangerous loophole. The decision follows revelations that hundreds of children were sent to facilities with histories of violations, including several since-shuttered programs. At least 676 adoptees were placed in out-of-state centers since 2020, with many attending problematic facilities. Among them were Sequel Youth and Family Services programs like Iowa’s Clarinda Academy and Utah’s Red Rock Canyon School, both closed after abuse scandals. Other placements included Utah’s Havenwood Academy, disciplined for improper restraints, and Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center, sanctioned for excessive punishments. Three Points Ranch ceased operations in 2025 following violations, while White River Academy continues accepting California-funded youth under existing contracts.

• 

  The Des Moines Register Jul 18, 2019 Expose

  Firm accused of abusing troubled teens in Iowa, elsewhere under fire again

  Sequel Youth and Family Services faced renewed scrutiny from advocacy groups and state agencies following allegations of sexual abuse, excessive physical restraint, and policy violations at several of its facilities. While the company announced the closure of two locations in Utah following riots and investigations, facilities in Iowa continued to operate despite documented incidents of staff members using physical force and prolonged seclusion against residents.

• 

  Des Moines Register Dec 22, 2018 Expose

  Clarinda Academy students restrained and injured as punishment, records show

  This article's access was restricted, preventing the extraction of detailed information regarding allegations of student restraints and injuries at Clarinda Academy and Woodward Academy.

• 

  Valley News Today Dec 17, 2018 Expose

  Clarinda Academy Responds to State and Advocacy Organization Abuse Allegations

  Clarinda Academy issued a response following reports by advocacy organizations alleging excessive restraint, verbal abuse, and confinement of youth at the facility. State and inspection departments are reviewing the allegations, while facility representatives have disputed the findings and cited recent licensure renewals.

• 

  Des Moines Register Oct 22, 2018 Expose

  Washington Foster Youth Allegedly Abused at Iowa Facility

Staff

Administration

• Ryan Santi

  Executive Director

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Vivant Behavioral Healthcare VP Ops

Notable staff

• Shawn Hollenkamp

  Executive Directorsource

• Tonna Lawrenson

  Clinical Directorsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Beloit Residential Treatment Center Staff, before 2001
  • Youth Center at Beloit

• Guthrey Fritz

  Admissions Directorsource

• Trent Fleshner

  Group Living Directorsource

• Mark Moses

  Training Manager and Education Directorsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Forest Ridge Youth Services Training Manager, 1994
  • Clarinda Academy Youth Counselor, later Senior Counselor and Team Leader

• Matt Ruiz

  Program Directorsource

• Dustin Sperling

  Program Directorsource

• Jason Anderson

  Program Directorsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Maple Lake Academy, LLC Psychiatrist, 2022

• Carl Fenceroy

  Program Directorsource

• Ted Rives

  Program Directorsource

• Bill Badgley

  Program Directorsource

• Shane Sinn

  Program Directorsource

• Matt Paulsen

  Program Directorsource

• Lorenzo White

  Program Directorsource

• Steve Lawson

  Substance Abuse Counselor

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • NorthStar Center Former Residential