GAO 2007 Report
Residential Treatment Programs: Concerns Regarding Abuse and Death in Certain Programs for Troubled Youth
NOTE: This report primarily consists of 10 stories about children who died in TTI programs. Child death is discussed on every page of this document.
United States Government Accountability Office
Testimony Before the Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives
Statement of Gregory D. Kutz, Managing Director Forensic Audits and Special Investigations
Reviewed thousands of allegations of abuse from 1990-2007 at American RTFs in the US and abroad
“There is no single website, federal agency, or other entity that collects comprehensive nationwide data”
Also examined 10 closed civil or criminal cases from 1990-2004 that involved child death
TRIGGER WARNING: child death, medical neglect, descriptions of severe physical abuse (highlights)
“We are using the term residential treatment program to refer to entities across the country and abroad calling themselves wilderness therapy programs, boarding schools, academies, behavioral modification facilities, and boot camps, among other names.” p. 1
TRIGGER WARNING: description of child death, neglect pp. 3-4
Each state licenses and monitors RTPs differently, sometimes through multiple agencies
Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Justice, and Department of Education all have programs that provide funds to TTI programs p. 5
Children keep journals during wilderness programs that are read by staff p. 6
This report defines a “boot camp” as a RTF that does not have a wilderness training element but does have strict rules and uniformity p. 8
Trigger warning: photos of substandard living conditions p. 9
Boarding schools and academies are defined as RTPs that have an academic element pp. 9-10
Trigger warning: details of neglect, medical neglect, severe physical abuse, restraint, child death, emotional abuse, self-harm, suicide pp. 14-16
Factors that played a role in TTI deaths: untrained staff who couldn’t recognize signs of legitimate medical issues, not enough food or water, not taking enough safety precautions such as bringing first aid kids or scouting hikes in advance p. 14
Case One:
Editor’s note: Michelle Lynn Sutton, Summit Quest, founder Gayle Palmer
Trigger warning: medical neglect, child death pp. 17-18
6 months after opening, soon after Sutton’s death, Palmer closed Summit Quest, moved to NV and operated a program there until she was court ordered to stop, also worked as an admin for program in Case two. Still an ed consultant p. 18
Case Two:
Editor’s note: Kristin Chase, Challenger II, founder Steve Cartisano
Program closed shortly after death
Cartisano (founder) added to Utah registry of suspected child abusers
Case Three:
Editor’s note: Aaron Bacon, North Star Expeditions
Trigger warning: details of severe medical neglect, p. 21
North Star Expeditions closed 3 months later
State attorney general’s office and local prosecutor filed criminal charges against North Star Expeditions owners and staff. Six defendants plead guilty to a variety of charges including abuse, neglect, and negligent homicide
Case Four:
Editor’s note: William “Eddie” Lee, Obsidian Trails
Trigger warning: description of severe physical child abuse, restraint pp. 22-23
Child’s mother filed wrongful death lawsuit in 2001, settled for an undisclosed amount in 2002
Oregon Department of Justice filed charges regarding the program’s deceptive marketing
Oregon created outdoor licensing requirements in response to Lee’s death.
Obsidian Trails closed December 2002
Case Five:
Editor’s Note: Ryan Christopher Lewis, Alldredge Academy
Trigger warning: self harm, suicide pp. 23-24
Alldredge Academy owner admitted to child neglect resulting in death, paid $5000 fine to have charges dismissed
Alldredge Academy was still open when this report was written
Case Six:
Editor’s note: Anthony Haynes, Buffalo Soldiers Re-Enactors Association boot camp, founder Charles Long
Trigger warning: graphic descriptions of extreme neglect and physical abuse resulting in death pp. 26-27
Case Seven:
Editor’s note: Katie Lank, Redrock Ranch Academy
Redrock Ranch Academy closed in May 2002
Parents sued and settled in 2003 for $200,000
Case Eight:
Editor’s Note: Erica Harvey, Catherine Freer Wilderness Therapy Program
Trigger warning: medical neglect p. 20
No criminal charges were pursued, parents filed a civil lawsuit and settled for an undisclosed amount
Two more deaths shortly after at Catherine Freer, program ordered closed in Nevada, continued to operate in Oregon
Case nine:
Editor’s note: Ian August, Skyline Journey
Trigger warning: medical neglect pp. 31-32
Skyline Journey manager was tried for child abuse homicide and found not guilty
Case Ten:
Editor’s Note: Roberto Reyes, Thayer Learning Center
Trigger warning: medical neglect pp. 33-34