Troubled Teen Industry News

General

IN FLUSHING, DRUG CENTER ALLAYS FEARS OF NEIGHBORS (1987-04-30)

nytimes.com • Apr 30, 1987

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Controversial Guru Bob Meehan Allegedly Uninvolved : Anti-Drug Ranch Reopened by New Owner at Old Site (Los Angeles Times, 1987-04-20)

Los Angeles Times • Apr 20, 1987

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MAN SAYS CENTER IMPRISONED HIM (1987-03-28)

kidsofelpaso.com • Mar 28, 1987

KIDS of El Paso

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Pinellas Plays Host To Vice President (1987-03-18)

rickross.com • Mar 18, 1987

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GERALDO’S BACK ON THE LOOSE (1987-03-15)

latimes.com • Mar 15, 1987

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NON RENEWAL (ACTUAL TITLE UNKNOWN) (1987-03-13)

kidsofelpaso.com • Mar 13, 1987

KIDS of El Paso

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Children can be forced into drug treatment (1987-01-17)

rickross.com • Jan 17, 1987

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Expose

How to Treat Autistic Kids

Newsweek Editors • Newsweek • Nov 30, 1986

Physical Restraint Chemical Restraint Humiliating Punishments Self-harm Child Death

Disability Rights Private Schools Group Home Survivor Stories Safety Violations Rhode Island Judge Rotenberg Educational Center Behavior Research Institute Massachusetts Office for Children

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The article reports on the use of aversive therapy at the Behavior Research Institute, a private school in Providence, Rhode Island, for children with severe behavioral disorders. It details the application of physical restraints, chemical aversives, and punitive measures, and notes a fatal incident involving a 22‑year‑old student during a treatment session. The piece also discusses legal challenges and differing viewpoints among parents, professionals, and state regulators.

Facilities: Judge Rotenberg Educational Center, Behavior Research Institute, Massachusetts Office for Children

Key Figures: Matthew Israel, Mary Kay Leonard, Ernest Rotenberg, Gary W. LaVigna

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The Cross and the Switchblade (1986-11-15)

amazon.com • Nov 15, 1986

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Knife Found Near Site Of Murder of Student (1986-11-04)

nytimes.com • Nov 4, 1986

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A religious student at an Orthodox Jewish school is found bludgeoned to death in his dormitory. (1986-11-01)

unsolved.com • Nov 1, 1986

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"First Encounter With Drugs Is Found To Occur At Age 12" - Source: The Free Lance Star, Page 15, September 16, 1986 (1986-09-16)

news.google.com • Sep 16, 1986

Also covered by: fox23.com

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KIDS OF EL PASO UNAFFECTED BY NEW JERSEY INVESTIGATION (1986-08-21)

kidsofelpaso.com • Aug 21, 1986

KIDS of El Paso

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Expose

After a Troubled Past, Autistic Home Reopens

David Wharton • Los Angeles Times • Aug 14, 1986

Physical Restraint Seclusion Humiliating Punishments Child Death

Group Home Disability Rights Licensing Oversight Staff Misconduct California Judge Rotenberg Educational Center Behavior Research Institute Jay Nolan Center for Autism Rhode Island Program

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The article reports on the reopening of the Behavior Research Institute, a facility for autistic children that has faced longstanding allegations of aversive therapy, including physical punishment and restraint. It details state investigations, a death of a resident, and subsequent licensing conditions imposed to restrict punitive practices. The piece presents the facility’s perspective on its methods while noting ongoing scrutiny from state officials and advocacy groups.

Facilities: Judge Rotenberg Educational Center, Behavior Research Institute, Jay Nolan Center for Autism, Rhode Island program

Key Figures: Judith Weber, David Bristow, Marsha Jacobson, Glenys Reid, Jose Maltos, Calvert McClurkin, Matthew Israel

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State Directs Meehan to Close Drug Centers (Los Angeles Times, 1986-05-28)

Los Angeles Times • May 28, 1986

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Arrest

Closed After Northridge Fire : Autistic Youth Institute to Reopen--in Sunland

Bob Pool • Los Angeles Times • May 13, 1986

Physical Restraint Humiliating Punishments Child Death

Closure Licensing Arrest Disability Rights Staff Misconduct California Judge Rotenberg Educational Center Behavior Research Institute Sunair Home for Asthmatic and Diabetic Children North Los Angeles County Regional Center California State License Board

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The Behavior Research Institute, a residential center for autistic youth, was closed after an arson fire in April 1986 and is slated to reopen at a new Sunland location. State officials approved a provisional license, restoring state funding, while an ex‑employee was arrested on multiple charges related to the fire. The institute has announced that all physical punishments have been discontinued.

Facilities: Judge Rotenberg Educational Center, Behavior Research Institute, Sunair Home for Asthmatic and Diabetic Children, North Los Angeles County Regional Center, California State License Board

Key Figures: Judith Weber, Kenneth L. Kimble, Jim Shorter, Martha Mills, Howell Bell

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Injunction Expected as State Warns Meehan on Unlicensed Centers (Los Angeles Times, 1986-05-09)

Los Angeles Times • May 9, 1986

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Nevada-Based Rite of Passage Hit by Abuse Charges : Delinquent Boys Camp: Is It 'Bouncing Back'? (1986-05-05)

articles.latimes.com • May 5, 1986

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Freeway's Meehan Operating Again, This Time for Profit (Los Angeles Times, 1986-04-24)

Los Angeles Times • Apr 24, 1986

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State Agency Probing Drug Program's Use of Unlicensed Home (Los Angeles Times, 1986-04-17)

Los Angeles Times • Apr 17, 1986

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Closure

Fire Closes Embattled Institute for Autistic Care

Bob Pool • Los Angeles Times • Apr 17, 1986

Physical Restraint Humiliating Punishments Child Death

Closure Licensing Disability Rights Group Home Oversight California Judge Rotenberg Educational Center Behavior Research Institute California Department of Social Services Los Angeles Unified School District San Fernando Valley Community Care Licensing Office

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State officials revoked the operating license of the Behavior Research Institute after a fire, set during a burglary, rendered the facility uninhabitable. The institute, which provided behavior‑modification programs for autistic teens and young adults, lost its $378,000 annual state funding and was ordered to relocate its six residents. Neighbors welcomed the closure, citing prior concerns about aversion‑therapy practices.

Facilities: Judge Rotenberg Educational Center, Behavior Research Institute, California Department of Social Services, Los Angeles Unified School District, San Fernando Valley Community Care Licensing office

Key Figures: Judith Weber, Martha Mills

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Called Business Lure : D.A. to Probe Teen Drug Abuse Project (Los Angeles Times, 1986-04-16)

Los Angeles Times • Apr 16, 1986

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Some Call It Torture, but a New England School Says That Its Therapy Is Taming Autistic Students (1986-04-14)

people.com • Apr 14, 1986

Judge Rotenberg Educational Center

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Facilities: Judge Rotenberg Educational Center

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Cure Not Worth It, Disillusioned Drug Program Backers Decide (Los Angeles Times, 1986-04-12)

Los Angeles Times • Apr 12, 1986

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Lawsuit

DISCIPLINE RULING AT AUTISM FACILITY

Fox Butterfield • The New York Times • Dec 31, 1985

Physical Restraint Seclusion Humiliating Punishments

Licensing Staff Misconduct Safety Violations Disability Rights New York Judge Rotenberg Educational Center Behavior Research Institute Massachusetts Office for Children

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A court issued a ruling concerning disciplinary practices at an autism treatment facility in New York. The decision addressed the facility's use of restraints and the oversight responsibilities of state regulators.

Facilities: Judge Rotenberg Educational Center, Behavior Research Institute, Massachusetts Office for Children

Key Figures: Matthew Israel, Mary Kay Leonard, Judge Ernest I. Rotenberg

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Lawsuit

SCHOOL'S USE OF PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT AS THERAPY IS CHALLENGED

John J. O'Connor • The New York Times • Nov 19, 1985

Physical Restraint Humiliating Punishments Safety Violations

Private Schools Staff Misconduct Safety Violations Licensing Oversight New York Judge Rotenberg Educational Center Unnamed Private Therapeutic School Referenced in the Article Behavior Research Institute

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A legal challenge has been filed against a private therapeutic school that employed physical punishment as a form of treatment. The lawsuit alleges that the school's practices violated state regulations and posed safety risks to the children enrolled.

Facilities: Judge Rotenberg Educational Center, Unnamed private therapeutic school referenced in the article, Behavior Research Institute

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Wilderness school sued by parents of dead boy (1985-11-01)

news.google.com • Nov 1, 1985

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County Endorses SLIC Ranch Drug Center (Los Angeles Times, 1985-08-15)

Los Angeles Times • Aug 15, 1985

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Event

Autistic Adult Dies Following Controversial 'White Noise' Therapy at Treatment Center

Mitchell Zuckoff • AP NEWS • Jul 26, 1985

Physical Restraint Seclusion Autism-Specific Abuse Child Death

Death Disability Rights Group Home Licensing Oversight Massachusetts Judge Rotenberg Educational Center Behavior Research Institute (bri) BRI Seekonk Group Home BRI Attleboro Group Home BRI Providence School

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Vincent Milletich, a 22-year‑old autistic adult, died after becoming unconscious during a "white noise" therapy session that involved physical restraints, masking, and forced exposure to static. The incident prompted a partial ban on the therapy and investigations by state authorities and the district attorney's office.

Facilities: Judge Rotenberg Educational Center, Behavior Research Institute (BRI), BRI Seekonk group home, BRI Attleboro group home, BRI Providence school

Key Figures: Dr. Arthur Burns, Matthew L. Israel, Ken Laureys, Donna M. Cone, Michael Coughlin

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BOYS TOWN, NEB. (POP. 26 GIRLS, 415 BOYS) (1985-07-15)

nytimes.com • Jul 15, 1985

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Washington Boy in survival class suffers fall, dies (1985-07-05)

news.google.com • Jul 5, 1985

SUWS of the Carolinas

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Washington boy in survival class suffers fall, dies

Eugene Register-Guard • Jul 5, 1985

SUWS Idaho

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Military School Unregulated (1985-05-12)

news.google.com • May 12, 1985

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Corporate

Federal grand jury probing Synanon

GREGORY GORDON • UPI • Oct 28, 1984

Peer Violence

Corporate Governance Arrest Trial Faith-Based Programs D.C. Synanon Synanon Church

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A federal grand jury is investigating the Synanon Church regarding allegations of financial fraud and misrepresentation of funds intended for addiction rehabilitation. Additionally, the organization and several of its members have faced legal actions, including tax-exempt status revocation and criminal indictments related to conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

Facilities: Synanon, Synanon Church

Key Figures: Philip Bourdette, Charles Dederich, Joseph Musico, Lance Kenton, Jady Dederich

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"First Lady Visits Young Drug Abusers" - Source: Free Lance-Star, Fredericksburg, VA, September 18, 1984 (1984-09-18)

news.google.com • Sep 18, 1984

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School must abide by reforms (1984-07-29)

news.google.com • Jul 29, 1984

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Proselytizing Report: "Teen Challenge" (1984-07-26)

rickross.com • Jul 26, 1984

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Arrest

Thirteen Synanon Members Indicted on Obstruction and Perjury Charges

MICHAEL D. HARRIS • UPI • Jul 11, 1984

Arrest Trial California Synanon

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Thirteen past and present members of the Synanon organization were indicted by a Los Angeles County Grand Jury on charges including conspiracy to obstruct justice, perjury, and falsifying evidence related to a 1978 assault case. Organization founder Charles Dederich also appeared in court to face allegations of violating terms of his probation stemming from the same case.

Facilities: Synanon

Key Figures: Charles Dederich, Philip Bourdette, Steve Simon, Dan Garret, Dan Sorkin, Chris Haberman, Sybil Schiff, Miriam Bourdette, Matt Rand, Walter Lewbel, Rosa Gomez-Simon, Jady Dederich, Elizabeth Missakian, Jay Bloom-Becker, Lance Kenton, Joseph Musico

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Child Abuse: The Rod of Correction (1984-06-11)

time.com • Jun 11, 1984

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AROUND THE NATION; Lawyer Asserts School Kept Log of Beatings (1984-06-01)

nytimes.com • Jun 1, 1984

King Family Ministries

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Facilities: King Family Ministries

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"Drug-Treatment Center Suspends Area Operation" - Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Pages 1-B-CE & 2-B-CE, July 20, 1983 (1983-07-20)

news.google.com • Jul 20, 1983

Also covered by: news.google.com (Jul 20, 1983)

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Lawsuit

Justice Department Alleges Synanon Foundation Maintained List of Targets for Physical Attacks

CHRIS CHRYSTAL • UPI • Jul 11, 1983

Graphic Descriptions of Assaults or Injuries Peer Violence

Faith-Based Programs Staff Misconduct D.C. Synanon Synanon Foundation

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Justice Department lawyers alleged in court documents that former members of the Synanon Foundation reported the organization maintained a list of targeted individuals to be physically attacked. The filings were submitted in connection with Synanon's lawsuit to recover its tax-exempt status.

Facilities: Synanon, Synanon Foundation

Key Figures: Charles Dederich, Walter Lewbel, Alan Hubbard, Musico

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"Parents of Runaway From Straight Defend Drug-Treatment Program" - Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune, July 1, 1983 (1983-07-01)

news.google.com • Jul 1, 1983

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"Gardner Blasts New Rules For 'Straight'" - Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Page 2-BM, June 28, 1983 (1983-06-28)

news.google.com • Jun 28, 1983

Also covered by: news.google.com (Jun 28, 1983) news.google.com (Jun 22, 1983) news.google.com (Jun 22, 1983) news.google.com (Jun 22, 1983)

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"Man's Freedom Costs Him His Family" - Source: The Morning Star, Page 2A, Wilmington, NC, June 9, 1983 (1983-06-09)

news.google.com • Jun 9, 1983

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