Former students of Hyde School in Bath, Maine, have alleged emotional and physical mistreatment, including forced labor and neglect, which had lasting negative effects on their mental health. The school denies the claims, calling them 'patently false.' A federal lawsuit has been filed against the school and its leaders, alleging human trafficking, forced labor, and negligence.
Facilities:Hyde School
Key Figures:Joseph Gauld, Malcolm Gauld, Laura Denton Gauld, Dana McAvity
Jessica Orozco •
Springfield News-Sun •
May 2, 2025
⚠️ Physical Restraint
ChokingStaff MisconductOhioOperation Rebirth
A staffer at Operation Rebirth boarding school has been charged with choking a 13-year-old student. The incident occurred on February 26, and the staffer, Emilio Valdez, was fired and faces felony charges.
The 'troubled teen industry' in Arizona has been criticized for its lack of accountability, with some facilities using methods such as 'attack therapy' that can be harmful to the teenagers in their care. Survivors have reported experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder and other long-term effects after attending these programs. There have been legal issues with some of these companies, including a recent $2.5 million judgment against Spring Ridge Academy.
Former students of Spring Ridge Academy have alleged harsh treatment at the boarding school. The allegations are based on journal entries from the students, which describe their experiences. A lawsuit has been filed related to the allegations.
Spring Ridge Academy, a facility for troubled teens in Arizona, has been ordered to pay $2.5 million in a lawsuit claiming fraud. The facility, which closed in 2023, used outdated therapies and procedures born out of a cult from the 1950s. Survivors of the facility report experiencing physical and emotional abuse, including being forced to participate in humiliating group therapy sessions.
A lawsuit alleges that the Wyoming Boys' School subjected residents to psychological and emotional abuse, extended periods of solitary confinement, and physical harm. The plaintiffs claim that they were subjected to improper restraints, deprivation of meaningful human contact, and excessive force. The facility's staff and policies are accused of causing harm and violating the civil rights of the residents.
Facilities:Wyoming Boys' School
Key Figures:Dale Weber, John Schwalbe, Thad Shaffer
A 16-year-old boy named Daniel Yuen went missing after enrolling in a 'tough love' bootcamp in California. His family had been seeking help for his depression. The bootcamp, CEDU Running Springs, was supposed to provide support, but Daniel vanished. An investigation into the troubled teen industry has uncovered ties to a dangerous cult and raises questions about the treatment of teenagers in these facilities.
⚠️ Physical Restraint⚠️ Child Abuse⚠️ Graphic Descriptions of Assaults or Injuries
AlabamaAlabama Clinical SchoolsHill Crest
A lawsuit has been filed against Alabama Clinical Schools, alleging that an 11-year-old boy was physically, verbally, and emotionally abused while in treatment. The boy suffered injuries, including broken bones and scorpion bites, and was threatened by staff. The lawsuit claims that the facility's employees were responsible for the abuse and that the company enabled it.
Paris Hilton has spoken out about the abuse she experienced at Provo Canyon School, including nonconsensual medical exams. She has testified about the emotional and physical abuse she and other teens faced at the school. Hilton is advocating for reforms to youth congregate care and reform schools.
⚠️ Physical Restraint⚠️ Substance Abuse⚠️ Suicide⚠️ Child Death
NYFamily Foundation School
The Family Foundation School, a boarding academy in rural New York, closed in 2014 after allegations of abuse, including solitary confinement and physical restraint. Since its closure, at least 90 alumni have died, primarily due to drug overdoses and deaths by suicide. The school's history of abuse and neglect has been reported by former students, who have spoken out about their experiences.
A 22-year-old Oaklawn employee, Nicole Martin, was fired and charged with three counts of child seduction after allegedly sexually abusing a 16-year-old patient at the facility.
Thousands of individuals have been removed from Maine's Sex Offender Registry before their sentences ended. One individual, Stephen McIntire, shared his experience of being on the registry and the challenges he faced. McIntire was removed from the list after a lawsuit, but was later accused of new offenses.
Sexual MisconductArrestConvicted OffenderMaineHyde School
A convicted sex offender, Stephen McIntire, is wanted by police for failing to register and for suspected 'Peeping Tom' incidents at the Hyde School campus. McIntire was previously convicted of gross sexual assault and violation of privacy. Police have obtained a warrant for his arrest on charges including failure to comply with the sex offender notification act and violation of privacy.
Riley Board •
The Portland Press Herald •
Jan 16, 2013
Private SchoolAdministrationLeadershipMaineHyde School
Don MacMillan, the headmaster of Hyde School, has announced his decision to step down from his position at the end of the school year. Laura Gauld, a Hyde graduate and current executive director of Hyde's boarding schools, will take over as head of school. MacMillan has spent nearly 30 years at Hyde School, including the past five as headmaster.
A lawsuit alleges that staff at Adelphoi residential facilities sexually abused juveniles. The lawsuit claims that the facilities failed to protect the minors from abuse. The allegations involve sexual misconduct by staff members.
Juvenile JusticeLicensing IssuesMontanaCascade County Regional Juvenile Detention Center
The Cascade County Regional Juvenile Detention Center has been restricted from admitting new youth until September due to a Montana Department of Corrections investigation. The investigation found deficiencies in serious incident reporting, same-gender staffing requirements, medical and mental health services, and suicide prevention practices. The facility must comply with a corrective action plan to address these issues.
Facilities:Cascade County Regional Juvenile Detention Center
An investigation is underway regarding allegations of abuse and misconduct. The allegations include humiliating punishments and physical harm. The details of the case are currently being reviewed.
A lawsuit has been filed against Hallmark Youthcare regarding escapes from the facility. The lawsuit alleges that the facility's actions and policies may have contributed to the escapes. The details of the lawsuit are not available due to access restrictions.
Former students of the Kansas City Girls Academy have filed a lawsuit alleging mistreatment. The lawsuit claims that the facility's actions and policies led to harm. The specifics of the allegations are not available due to access restrictions.
The Provo Canyon School is closing after the Utah Department of Health and Human Services revoked its licenses due to failure to protect its residents. The school's closure will affect dozens of juveniles who will need to find alternative treatment options. An investigation found that the school had failed to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents, leading to incidents of physical harm.
