Wilderness TherapyNorth CarolinaTrails CarolinaSolstice EastAsheville Academy for Girls
A federal lawsuit has been filed against two now-shuttered teen treatment centers in the Asheville area, alleging that residents suffered physical abuse, neglect, and forced labor. The lawsuit claims that the facilities, Trails Carolina and Solstice East, failed to provide adequate care and supervision, and instead used punitive measures to control residents. The plaintiffs allege that they were subjected to various forms of abuse, including physical restraints, strip searches, and humiliation.
Facilities:Trails Carolina, Solstice East, Asheville Academy for Girls
A mother, Kimberly Sweidy, is seeking a retrial for her claims of emotional abuse against a boarding school, Spring Ridge Academy, where her daughter was enrolled. The school was previously ordered to pay $2.5 million in damages for fraud. The mother alleges that her daughter was subjected to extreme emotional and psychological abuse, including ritualized shaming and coercive exercises. The case is currently being considered by a Ninth Circuit panel.
Juvenile JusticeMarylandBaltimore City Juvenile Justice Center
An independent watchdog report documented unsanitary and unhygienic conditions at the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, including a rodent infestation and inadequate medical care. The report also noted chronic staffing shortages and unprofessional behavior by some staff members. The facility houses approximately 82 children, with about half facing adult criminal charges.
A 16-year-old girl in state care died by suicide due to contractor negligence, according to a Maryland Department of Human Services report. The girl had a history of mental health challenges and previous suicide attempts. The contractor, Fenwick Behavioral Services, was hired to provide one-on-one hourly supervision but assigned a single caretaker to work a 53-hour shift without notifying the relevant authorities.
Sergio Hernández, Nat Lash and Brandon Roberts •
ProPublica •
Jan 1, 2026
Private SchoolsClosureIllinoisNorthern Illinois AcademyBatavia Unit School District 101Annunciation of the Bvm SchoolMarmion AcademyN. Campus of Pope St. John Paul II Catholic AcademyImmanuel Lutheran SchoolMooseheart Child City and School Inc.
Demographic data and historical records for Northern Illinois Academy, a special education private school in Aurora, Illinois, show enrollment figures and racial makeup from the 2019-20 school year. The facility was subsequently excluded from the Private School Survey in 2021-22 following reports of its closure.
Facilities:Northern Illinois Academy, Batavia Unit School District 101, Annunciation of the Bvm School, Marmion Academy, N. Campus of Pope St. John Paul II Catholic Academy, Immanuel Lutheran School, Mooseheart Child City and School Inc.
Child Sexual AbuseChild-on-Child CSAPhysical RestraintSexual Assault
IllinoisHartgrove Behavioral Health HospitalPavilion HospitalCumberland HospitalUniversal Health Services
Former patients have filed lawsuits against Universal Health Services Inc., alleging physical, sexual, and psychological abuse at youth residential treatment centers in Illinois. The allegations include sexual assault by staff members and other patients. The company has consistently denied wrongdoing despite multiple lawsuits and large damage awards.
Facilities:Hartgrove Behavioral Health Hospital, Pavilion hospital, Cumberland Hospital, Universal Health Services
Forced LaborHuman TraffickingExploitationMaineHyde School
A lawsuit alleging forced labor and trafficking at the Hyde School is ongoing, with the defense arguing that the laws cited do not apply to the school's practices. The plaintiff's attorneys claim that the labor was commercial and coercive in nature, and that students were subjected to various forms of abuse. The case is currently focused on errors in court filings, which the defense argues should not be dismissed lightly.
Former students of Hyde School in Bath, Maine, have come forward with allegations of abuse, including physical labor and humiliating punishments, which they say have had long-lasting negative impacts on their lives. The allegations have been denied by the school. A federal lawsuit has been filed against the school, seeking class action status to represent anyone who experienced forced labor at the school since 2015.
Susan Szuch •
Springfield News-Leader •
Dec 23, 2025
Child Sexual AbusePhysical RestraintEmotional Abuse
SettlementAgape Boarding SchoolMissouri
A former student of Agape Boarding School reached a settlement with Cedar County and its law enforcement regarding allegations of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse at the school. The settlement is not an admission of liability. The former student, Joshua Bradney, hopes the settlement will encourage other former students to come forward.
Nick Reiner, son of Rob Reiner, attended a wilderness therapy program in Utah as a teenager. Former attendees have described harsh living conditions and emotional mistreatment at the program. Nick Reiner has spoken about the negative impact the program had on his life, including introducing him to heroin. His parents have expressed regret over their decision to send him to the program.
Youth in the Oregon juvenile justice system filed 956 complaints this year, the highest number since 2019. The complaints range from reports of abuse to concerns about facility conditions. Officials have been encouraging youth to report incidents and have worked to investigate and address the complaints.
A family has filed a lawsuit against the Florida Youth Challenge Academy, alleging the organization failed to provide proper mental health care and supervision, leading to their daughter's death. The lawsuit claims the academy was aware of the teen's mental health challenges and propensity for self-harm but failed to implement required safety protocols. The family seeks answers and hopes to ensure no other family experiences a similar tragedy.
Group HomeDisruptionDisability RightsUtahCrimson Heights
A group home for teens with developmental and behavioral issues in Spanish Fork, Utah, has been the source of frequent police visits and disruptions to the neighborhood. The home, operated by Crimson Heights, has been the subject of complaints from neighbors. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services has licensed the facility, but the city has urged the home to obtain a business license, which it has not done.
A St. George treatment center, Crimson Heights, is unable to accept new patients after an employee injured a client. The incident occurred on August 3, when a staff member engaged in conduct that caused physical harm to a client, resulting in multiple lacerations and a fractured elbow. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services has issued a Notice of Agency Action, requiring the facility to implement staff behavioral management training and increase inspections.
A teen treatment facility in St. George, Utah, was cited by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services after a staff member physically restrained a client, resulting in injuries that required surgery. The facility, Crimson Heights, has been prohibited from admitting new patients and must retrain staff on de-escalation and restraint protocols. The incident is under investigation and the facility has stated its commitment to transparency and collaboration with the state.
Sebastian Murdock and Taiyler Mitchell •
HuffPost •
Oct 10, 2025
Physical RestraintHumiliating PunishmentsChild Sexual AbuseSelf-harmSuicide
Wilderness TherapyArizonaSpring Ridge AcademyBlue Ridge Wilderness TherapyProvo Canyon School
Former students of Spring Ridge Academy have come forward with allegations of abuse and trauma, including physical restraint, psychological games, and humiliating punishments. The facility's founder, Jeannie Courtney, denies the allegations, but court records and police reports suggest a pattern of mistreatment. Many former students have struggled with long-term effects, including addiction and survivor's guilt.
Facilities:Spring Ridge Academy, Blue Ridge Wilderness Therapy, Provo Canyon School
Key Figures:Jeannie Courtney, Brandon Courtney, Suzanne Courtney
A lawsuit has been filed against Hyde School, alleging forced labor and abuse. The school has denied the claims and is seeking to dismiss the lawsuit. The plaintiff, Jessica Fuller, attended the school in 2014 and 2015 and alleges she was physically restrained and forced to do manual labor as punishment.
Facilities:Hyde School
Key Figures:Dana McAvity, Malcolm Gauld, Laura Denton Gauld, Don MacMillan, Gigi Gauld MacMillan, Laurie Gauld Hurd
Queen Creek Independent Staff •
Queen Creek Independent •
Sep 16, 2025
child sexual abuse
ArizonaDesert Lily AcademyCanyon State AcademyRite of Passage
Christopher Allen, a 48-year-old staff member at Desert Lily Academy in Queen Creek, Arizona, was arrested on September 4, 2025, and charged with two counts of sexual conduct with a minor following a reported sexual assault involving a juvenile resident. Police report responding to over 2,000 calls at this facility and its companion boys' school, Canyon State Academy, over the past three years, including reports of various incidents and mental health crises.
Facilities:Desert Lily Academy, Canyon State Academy, Rite of Passage
Alex Gladden •
Montgomery Advertiser •
Aug 1, 2025
graphic description of physical child abuserestraintsisolationhumiliating punishments
AlabamaCamp Sayla
Two lawsuits accuse Camp SAYLA, an Alabama youth facility, of physical abuse and neglect. The suits name staff member Kenyatta Danzey, alleging he harmed children and encouraged violence among residents. Plaintiffs Jamarion Bullock and Pamela Boone’s child claim the abuse was ignored by staff. Attorney Tommy James argues such misconduct is widespread in state-funded facilities. The Alabama Department of Youth Services suspended Camp SAYLA’s license after investigations but later reinstated it. The facility is currently inactive.
Chris Larson •
Behavioral Health Business •
Jul 30, 2025
Embark Behavioral Health
Embark Behavioral Health, a major provider in the youth mental health and residential treatment space, has appointed Alec Dorman as its new Chief Financial Officer. Dorman, who joined the company in 2020 as chief of staff, replaces Darren Wight. Wight’s departure in early 2025 came as part of a broader leadership shake-up following Embark’s 2023 recapitalization by private equity firm Consonance Capital Partners. Leadership changes like this often reflect shifts in financial priorities. In private equity-backed programs, they can raise concerns about profit motives outweighing youth safety. Dorman’s background in private equity may signal continued financial restructuring or expansion.
Mulimauga Tuiloma, a former staff member at Provo Canyon School, pleaded guilty to physically assaulting a student in September 2024. Surveillance footage captured the incident, and the student required hospital treatment. Tuiloma was initially sentenced to one year in jail, but the court suspended the sentence. He will serve two months of probation and complete an anger management course. Provo Canyon School has faced repeated public scrutiny due to past allegations of abuse, including a high-profile campaign by Paris Hilton and other former residents.
An investigation into the use of psychotropic medications in foster care reveals inconsistent enforcement of federal requirements to monitor prescriptions. Some states have made efforts to oversee and reduce the use of these medications, while others have not. The issue affects the well-being and safety of foster youth.
John Wesley Whiteside, age 26, was charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse involving minors while employed at Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch, a residential psychiatric facility for youth. He worked at the facility for about one month in spring 2025. The investigation began when a resident disclosed his alleged behavior to a therapist. Three residents later came forward with additional allegations. Whiteside has pleaded not guilty and is being held on $100,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for September 29. This marks the second time in 2025 that a Yellowstone staff member has been charged with sexually abusing residents.
A former student of Hyde School shares their negative experience at the school, stating that they were subjected to extreme situations that caused psychological and physical distress. The student expresses gratitude towards other survivors who have come forward to share their stories. The school's tactics and punishment methods are described as cruel and traumatic.
Wilderness TherapySurvivor StoriesMaineHyde School
A survivor shares their experience of attending Hyde School's Summer Challenge program, where they endured physical and emotional abuse, including forced labor, physical restraint, and humiliation. The survivor reflects on the long-term effects of their experience and the importance of reclaiming their voice. The article also mentions lawsuits and reports of abuse at the school.
CaliforniaIowaUtahZion Hills AcademySequel Youth Programs (clarinda AcademyWoodward AcademyNormative Services IncFalcon Ridge RanchRed Rock Canyon SchoolMingus Mountain)Havenwood AcademyCinnamon Hills Youth Crisis CenterThree Points RanchWhite River Academy
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.
Facilities:Zion Hills Academy, Sequel Youth programs (Clarinda Academy, Woodward Academy, Normative Services Inc, Falcon Ridge Ranch, Red Rock Canyon School, Mingus Mountain), Havenwood Academy, Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center, Three Points Ranch, White River Academy
The family of a 10-year-old child has filed a lawsuit against Southwood Psychiatric Hospital alleging the child was sexually abused in the facility’s care in late 2023. According to court documents, the child was initially placed in a private room but later moved to a shared room with older roommates, where the incident occurred. The lawsuit claims staff did not intervene despite concerns about safety. The family’s attorney states the child has faced ongoing challenges requiring additional treatment. The facility declined to comment on pending litigation but noted it takes concerns seriously. The case is ongoing and the alleged responsible party is facing criminal charges.
Peter D. St. Phillip Jr. •
Central Maine •
Jul 21, 2025
Forced Labor
Hyde SchoolEducationMaine
A parent of a current Hyde School student wrote a letter to the editor expressing concern over the school's coverage in a recent lawsuit. The parent argues that the school's approach to character development and ethics is more meaningful than other schools. The letter defends the school's practices, stating that requiring students to perform light chores is not equivalent to forced labor trafficking.
A letter to the editor discusses the author's positive experience with Hyde School, which their son attended in the 1990s. The author contrasts their experience with recent lawsuits filed by former students who allege they suffered from various issues, including sexual abuse and depression. The author defends Hyde School's philosophy and character education program.
Former students of Hyde School have come forward with allegations of mistreatment, including physical and emotional abuse, at the private school in Bath, Maine. The allegations include a discipline system of forced labor and shame-based group therapy. Some former students and parents have defended the school, stating that it provided a positive and transformative experience.
Facilities:Hyde School
Key Figures:Joseph Gauld, Laura Denton Gauld, Malcolm Gauld, Martha Gaythwaite
Washington DCWashington DC Dyrs’s Youth Services Center
A trans girl was placed in a boys’ unit at a D.C. juvenile detention center that was overcrowded at the time. She was violently assaulted by five other youths, resulting in a broken jaw. Despite a policy meant to protect trans youth by considering their safety and health recommendations for housing, the facility failed to prevent this attack. DYRS called it an “isolated incident,” but the overcrowded, unsafe environment and failure to safeguard vulnerable youth remain clear issues.
Facilities:Washington DC DYRS’s Youth Services Center
A former student of Hyde School in Maine has filed a lawsuit alleging forced child labor, physical and verbal abuse, and denial of basic needs. The lawsuit claims that students were exploited for labor both on and off campus, and that the school profited from their work. The plaintiff's attorneys are seeking compensation under state and federal laws that allow survivors of human trafficking to pursue civil damages.
Facilities:Hyde School
Key Figures:The Gaulds, Malcolm Gauld, Laura Gauld
At least 34 boys from the Dozier School and 16 from Okeechobee ended up on Florida's death row. Leonora LaPeter Anton's investigation for The Marshall Project and the Tampa Bay Times.
The article investigates the connection between extreme abuse at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys and the high number of its former students later sentenced to death or prison for murder, with a focus on Michael Bell, who is scheduled for execution. At least 34 boys from Dozier and 16 from Okeechobee ended up on Florida’s death row. Dozier was closed in 2011 following decades of documented abuse including beatings, rape, and solitary confinement. Michael Bell described being forced into fights, physically restrained, and sexually assaulted at age 15 during a four-month stay. Neurologists and psychologists confirm that adolescent trauma impairs brain development, especially impulse control and emotional regulation. Experts cited include Dr. George Woods, Dr. Marlyne Israelian, Dr. Bruce Perry, and Dr. Martha J. Farah. Other former residents (Jesse Guardado, Jerry White, William Van Poyck, Craig Wall) report similar abuse and went on to commit murders. Bell’s defense lawyers argue his trauma was never presented at trial; he never had a psychological evaluation.
Facilities:Arthur G. Dozier School For Boys, Okeechobee School
North CarolinaAsheville Academy for GirlsFamily Help & WellnessMagnolia Mill SchoolTrails Carolina
A parent and their child, identified as M.C., filed a lawsuit on July 9, 2025 against the now-closed Asheville Academy for Girls and its parent company, Family Help & Wellness, alleging neglect and failure to supervise. The suit claims M.C., then 12, repeatedly self-harmed, ingested dangerous items, and ran away from campus while staff failed to intervene. It also alleges the child was isolated from their parent and denied adequate therapy, despite documented high suicide risk.
Facilities:Asheville Academy for Girls, Family Help & Wellness, Magnolia Mill School, Trails Carolina
Washington DCDepartment of Youth Rehabilitation Services’ Youth Services Center (ysc)
A Temple Hills man, Kelvin Powell, was convicted on 16 counts related to the sexual abuse of a 17-year-old girl in his care at the District of Columbia’s Youth Services Center. The abuse occurred between December 2021 and February 2022, during which Powell isolated the teen in areas without surveillance. He was found guilty of multiple counts of both first- and second-degree sexual abuse of a ward and a minor.
Facilities:Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services’ Youth Services Center (YSC)
graphic accounts of sexual abusesubstance userestraintisolationgrooming
New YorkPleasantville Cottage SchoolEdenwald SchoolJewish Child Care Association of New York
Seven former residents have filed lawsuits under New York’s Child Victims Act alleging sexual abuse at JCCA’s Edenwald and Pleasantville Cottage Schools between the early 2000s and 2023. The suits accuse staff and residents of abuse and claim mandatory reporters failed to act. Allegations include repeated assaults, grooming, threats, neglect by staff, and continued contact with abusers despite police involvement. JCCA declined to comment due to pending litigation.
Facilities:Pleasantville Cottage School, Edenwald School, Jewish Child Care Association of New York
Maya Hayes, a former psychologist at Brookwood Secure Center for Youth in Hudson, New York, pleaded guilty to one felony count of third-degree criminal sexual act involving a resident. Originally charged with 65 counts related to the abuse of eight youths aged 16 to 18 between 2020 and 2022, Hayes’ plea deal resolves all charges. She faces 2½ years in prison, 10 years of post-release supervision, and long-term sex offender registration.
Judy L. Thomas, Laura Bauer •
The Kansas City Star •
Jul 8, 2025
sexual abuseforced transportrestraintreligious traumaspiritual abuse
ArkansasCaliforniaMissouriSafeSoundSecure Youth MinistriesABM MinistriesAgape Boarding SchoolLighthouse Christian Academy
Julio Sandoval, former dean of students at Agape Boarding School and later director of Lighthouse Christian Academy, will have his travel to a federal criminal trial in California paid by the U.S. Marshals due to financial hardship. Sandoval is charged with illegally transporting a restrained minor from Fresno to Agape in 2021, violating a protective order. He also faces a civil lawsuit from the teen and has other pending legal issues, including a substantiated abuse finding under appeal.
Facilities:Safe, Sound, Secure Youth Ministries, ABM Ministries, Agape Boarding School, Lighthouse Christian Academy
sexual abuserestraintisolationracismreligious traumaspiritual abusefamily separationsuicide
New YorkHudson Training School for GirlsOtisville Training School for Boys
Hilda Onley, now 83, has reached a six-figure settlement with the State of New York after filing suit under the Child Victims Act for sexual abuse she endured in the 1950s at the Hudson Training School for Girls. Onley, who was sent to the state-run facility as a teenager after giving birth, alleged repeated sexual assaults by a staff member and emotional trauma from being separated from her newborn. Her case is one of the oldest brought under the Act and among a small number filed directly against the state.
Facilities:Hudson Training School for Girls, Otisville Training School for Boys
medical neglectdeprivation of basic needsunsanitary conditionsisolation
WashingtonGreen Hill SchoolHarbor Heights Juvenile Detention Center
Two young men formerly held at Green Hill School in Chehalis, Washington, filed a personal restraint petition alleging they were forced to [spoiler title="Read details"]urinate in plastic containers in their cells due to overcrowding and lack of bathroom access.[/spoiler] The case, heard in May 2025, challenges conditions at the DCYF-run facility as violations of state and constitutional law. State attorneys argue the case is moot, but petitioners seek court intervention to prevent future harm.
Facilities:Green Hill School, Harbor Heights Juvenile Detention Center
At least nine people, including one youth detainee and eight staff members, were hospitalized after exposure to an unidentified substance at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey. All were reported stable. The facility was placed on lockdown. This occurred two days after a nonprofit worker was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle drugs into the facility, which has faced ongoing operational issues.
Christine MacDonald •
Detroit Free Press •
Jul 2, 2025
sexual abuse
MichiganWayne County Juvenile Detention Facility
A former staffer at Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility, Svetlana Kuryanova, was sentenced to 71 months to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two detained teens. The assaults occurred in April 2024, and surveillance video showed Kuryanova entering a back room with each youth. Her sentences will run concurrently.
Facilities:Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility
Kelvin McCray, 48, of Clay County, Florida, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting and impregnating a 13-year-old girl. The assault occurred while McCray worked at Deep Creek Youth Academy. DNA confirmed his paternity, and he must register as a sexual predator.
Australian Associated Press •
The Guardian •
Jun 30, 2025
isolationrestraintmedical neglectdenial of basic needssuicideracial trauma
AustraliaUnit 18 of Casuarina Prison
An inquest into the death of 16-year-old Indigenous boy Cleveland Dodd heard that he endured “institutional abuse” and “cruel and inhumane” treatment at Unit 18 of Casuarina prison in Perth. Cleveland spent more than 22 hours a day confined in his cell for most of his detention and had no running water, requesting water multiple times before fatally self-harming. Lawyers described systemic failures and an epidemic of self-harm among mostly Aboriginal youth in the facility. Cleveland died on October 19, 2023.
Andrew R. Jones •
Asheville Watchdog •
Jun 25, 2025
sexual abusehumiliating and unsanitary punishmentsisolationsuicidechild deathcult-like tacticsforced labor
North CarolinaAsheville AcademyTrails Carolina
A South Carolina woman has filed a federal lawsuit against Asheville Academy for Girls, Trails Carolina, and 15 related entities owned by Family Help & Wellness, alleging abuse, humiliation, sexual assault, forced labor, and false advertising during her time as a teen resident. The complaint follows two recent suicides at Asheville Academy and a 2024 death at Trails Carolina. The lawsuit describes a pattern of neglect, coercion, and unqualified staff. After the suicides, North Carolina regulators fined the operator and suspended the Weaverville facility's license, prompting its closure.
North CarolinaAsheville AcademyTrails CarolinaSolstice EastMagnolia Mill
Asheville Academy in Weaverville, NC, voluntarily closed in June 2025 after two student suicides in May. Despite the closure, a state investigation continues into conditions described as detrimental to client health and safety. Asheville Academy was fined $45,000 for licensing violations, including inadequate staff training. The facility, previously known as Solstice East and Magnolia Mill, was managed by Wilderness Training & Consulting LLC, which also operated Trails Carolina.
MarylandThomas J.S. Waxter Children’s CenterCharles H. Hickey School
Three survivors have filed a federal lawsuit accusing Maryland officials of allowing sexual abuse at the Thomas J.S. Waxter Children's Center and Charles H. Hickey School. The suit claims officials knew about rampant abuse, protected abusers, and created policies that enabled harm. It challenges Maryland’s attempts to limit damages under the Child Victim’s Act and pause state court cases, seeking accountability through federal civil rights protections.
Facilities:Thomas J.S. Waxter Children’s Center, Charles H. Hickey School
