NC - 12-year-old dies at Trails Carolina wilderness therapy camp, Lake Toxaway, February 2024

[Hoosgirl]

I'm wondering where the State moved the children, they removed. Placing 18 adolescence, with emotional and behavioral diagnosis, on short notice is not easy. Many of the children need meds, requiring a doctor's order, how did DSS provide the meds, on short notice? Who explained to these children, why and where they were being moved?

MOO...This was preplanned and orchestrated by the sheriff and local DSS when they found out Behavioral Health did not have enough evidence to close the facility.

Moo, they're in a state, locked down facility, scared to death. I don't see a private agency touching this with a 10 ft pole.

Moo...

I'm not sure the distinction between one DHHS entity over another isn't too fine a line. DSS, while administered locally, is also under DHHS. I'm sure the decision was done with the awareness and endorsement at the highest levels of the agency.

 

[Rolypolyoly]

I didn't find any articles on use of burrito restraint for Trails Carolina, except for reddit.

Would you share what you found on Trails?

I can't unfortunately, that's why I said IMO it was worth googling for first hand accounts.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Meg Appelgate, CEO of Unsilenced, an advocacy group for former residents of teen treatment facilities, said she has heard many complaints about Trails Carolina. In response to those complaints, her group surveyed former Trails Carolina participants in October, and more than 60 have responded, she said.

“The vast majority said it was a horrible experience, and they didn’t benefit,” Appelgate said.

Some complained about not getting appropriate medical attention, Appelgate said. Others said they were forced to take part in activities even when sick or injured. A number spoke of being restrained by staff who put them inside their sleeping bags and then wrapped those sleeping bags with tarps — a technique they called the “burrito.” Some said the tactic made it hard for them to breathe, Appelgate said

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article285275287.html

 

[cujenn81]

The Dept of Human Services (DSS) removed the children. The Behavioral Health Board did NOT close them.

So, did the local sheriff and locals social services make this decision after they found out BHH was not going to close the facility? Theu call up parents and threatened to take custody if they don't immediately come pick up the child.

OMG, to be threatened by DSS and the Sheriff's, to go in and physical remove emotional challenged adolescence and take into custody. What a nightmare for these children.
Moo

Press Release for Dept of Human Services

NCDHHS Releases Statement on Trails Carolina Investigation

PRESS RELEASE — The Transylvania County Department of Social Services and Sherriff’s Office, along with staff from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, have been conducting investigations of Trails Carolina following the death of a child on Feb. 3, 2024.

www.ncdhhs.gov

Straight from the mouth of NCDHHS:

The decision has been made to remove all children from the care of Trails Carolina, and all new admissions are suspended. While the investigation is ongoing and we cannot comment on specific details, it was determined that action needed to be taken to ensure the health and safety of the children. Parents have been notified and children will be temporarily taken into care of Transylvania County DSS.



I’m sure the parents ARE upset that their children were taken into custody of DSS. They should be directing their anger at Trails Carolina. Most of them probably are, TBH. The camp’s PR machine is just spinning the narrative in a desperate attempt to protect themselves.

DSS is used to being a parent’s public enemy number one. They’re okay with that so long as the children are safe, as am I.

Truthfully, I can’t imagine why these parents hadn’t already pulled their children out of there.

 

[Simply Southern]

I'm not sure the distinction between one DHHS entity over another isn't too fine a line. DSS, while administered locally, is also under DHHS. I'm sure the decision was done with the awareness and endorsement at the highest levels of the agency.

I agree, the state was informed and a judge had to sign off and grant a removal order.
The State HHS would never disregard a court order.
Moo

 

[Simply Southern]

I can't unfortunately, that's why I said IMO it was worth googling for first hand accounts.

Oh, so no approved MSN. I couldn't find any either. Thought maybe I wasn't googling the correct verbage. Moo

 

[LeahBee]

I assume there would also be backlash if the kids weren't removed from the facility where a child had died under the camp's supervision in unknown but seemingly suspicious circumstances IMO

 

[Simply Southern]

Meg Appelgate, CEO of Unsilenced, an advocacy group for former residents of teen treatment facilities, said she has heard many complaints about Trails Carolina. In response to those complaints, her group surveyed former Trails Carolina participants in October, and more than 60 have responded, she said.

“The vast majority said it was a horrible experience, and they didn’t benefit,” Appelgate said.

Some complained about not getting appropriate medical attention, Appelgate said. Others said they were forced to take part in activities even when sick or injured. A number spoke of being restrained by staff who put them inside their sleeping bags and then wrapped those sleeping bags with tarps — a technique they called the “burrito.” Some said the tactic made it hard for them to breathe, Appelgate said

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article285275287.html

I certainly hope, that the organization, reported to BHH the information she possesses. I didn't find anything about the survey in the site, no mention of conducting. I did look under every drop down available. Nothing under Investigations or Active in the News, The last post 7/23. She did the survey in Oct.

I'm wondering how she reached out to campers and if they were verified. No quantitative information on how she collected or verified data for the survey. I don't even see it mentioned anywhere on the website. I could have over looked.

Unfortunately, the article is behind a pay wall and I'm unable to read, if in fact she report and filed complaints with BHH or spoke with legislators, regarding her findings? Do we know if the organization took action, after their survey? Did they meet with state legislatures, to discuss funding and solicit support? I wonder how they obtained a client list to provide surveys or was it unverified.

So many unanswered questions ...
Moo

https://www.unsilenced.org/about/

 

[Simply Southern]

I assume there would also be backlash if the kids weren't removed from the facility where a child had died under the camp's supervision in unknown but seemingly suspicious circumstances IMO

Moo....I bet the phones in Raleigh are ringing off the hook, with demands for closure.

 

[watergirl62]

<modsnip: off topic> I am glad to see some much-needed intervention. Let the dominoes fall where they may.

MOO

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Facility​

Trails Carolina​ Facility Address 500 Winding Gap Road Lake Toxaway 28747 Transylvania County

Mailing Address Lake Toxaway NC 28747

Contact Information In Care of: Jeremy Whitworth Phone: (972)955-1337

Program code	Services	Age	Facility Type	Disability Category
27G.5200	Residential Therapeutic Camps-Children & Adolescents-all Disability Groups	MINOR	RESIDENTL	MD

Inspection Type	Document Type	Inspection Date	Pages
MHLCS Annual and Follow-up	Plan of Correction	6/12/2023	23
MHLCS Annual and Follow-up	Statement of Deficiency	6/12/2023	22
MHLCS Annual and Complaint	Plan of Correction	6/21/2021	11
MHLCS Annual and Complaint	Statement of Deficiency	6/21/2021	11
MHLCS Follow-up	Statement of Deficiency	10/1/2019	1
MHLCS Follow-up	Plan of Correction	6/19/2019	9
MHLCS Follow-up	Statement of Deficiency	6/19/2019	9
MHLCS Annual and Follow-up	Plan of Correction	3/25/2019	16
MHLCS Annual and Follow-up	Statement of Deficiency	3/25/2019	16

NC DHSR MHLCS: Facilities

 

[Oiseaux]

Moo, they're in a state, locked down facility, scared to death.

So the only thing that’s changed is that now they are locked down and scared in a state facility rather than a private one that is profiting off their presence.

IMO, it’s an improvement for accountability and care for these poor kids.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

While it’s unclear what caused the boy’s mouth to froth, that “could’ve indicated that he ingested some sort of poison,” according to an affidavit from a detective who obtained the search warrant.

A camp counselor told investigators that the boy was required to sleep on the floor inside a sleeping bag, which in turn was inside a small tent called a bivy bag.

The counselor said the boy was checked at 12 am, 3 am and 6 am on Feb. 3, and was found dead at 7:45 am that day. But when investigators arrived that morning, the boy’s body was stiff and “cold to the touch,” the search warrants said.

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article285563792.html

https://www.facebook.com/megappelgate/posts/pfbid023dsbhq7eZWtmRmEKPoh3s6wS89s1YMxyiH6obYtaNVVoAY8YvjgK8rtQ8LRqMEfSl

 

[acutename]

Facility​

Trails Carolina​ Facility Address 500 Winding Gap Road Lake Toxaway 28747 Transylvania County

Mailing Address Lake Toxaway NC 28747

Contact Information In Care of: Jeremy Whitworth Phone: (972)955-1337

Program code	Services	Age	Facility Type	Disability Category
27G.5200	Residential Therapeutic Camps-Children & Adolescents-all Disability Groups	MINOR	RESIDENTL	MD

Inspection Type	Document Type	Inspection Date	Pages
MHLCS Annual and Follow-up	Plan of Correction	6/12/2023	23
MHLCS Annual and Follow-up	Statement of Deficiency	6/12/2023	22
MHLCS Annual and Complaint	Plan of Correction	6/21/2021	11
MHLCS Annual and Complaint	Statement of Deficiency	6/21/2021	11
MHLCS Follow-up	Statement of Deficiency	10/1/2019	1
MHLCS Follow-up	Plan of Correction	6/19/2019	9
MHLCS Follow-up	Statement of Deficiency	6/19/2019	9
MHLCS Annual and Follow-up	Plan of Correction	3/25/2019	16
MHLCS Annual and Follow-up	Statement of Deficiency	3/25/2019	16

NC DHSR MHLCS: Facilities

was expecting more messed up Rx problems but some of these are expired fiber supplements and acne meds... the clients really do have complex problems and not sure how safe any restraints are; running away is a big problem IMO

 

[imstilla.grandma]

NCDHHS has a history of disciplinary measures against the camp with five “Statements of Deficiencies” issued between 2019 and 2023, the most recent issued in June, stating that multiple children at the camp were physically restrained.

“Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure training on alternatives to restrictive interventions,” NCDHHS wrote in part.

“I just tried to run. … I was like 5 to 10 feet away from them (staff). … I wanted space,” one child reported.

“I went out of camp boundaries. … I wanted space and didn’t want people watching me,” another described, saying that staff forced them to the ground with their arms pinned to their sides.

Another camper showed officials a large bruise and said that they were restrained by a staff member who held her arms up in different directions.

NCDHHS notes in their paperwork, “Seclusion, physical restraint and isolation time-out may be employed only by staff who have been trained and have demonstrated competence in the proper use of and alternatives to these procedures. Facilities shall ensure that staff authorized to employ and terminate these procedures are retrained and have demonstrated competence at least annually.”

In the missive sent to Trail Carolina after the child’s death, NCDHHS wrote, “Further, we want to remind you that the use of restrictive interventions must be reported as outlined in the IRIS manual for which Trails Carolina is subject and must adhere to.”

NC therapy camp Trails Carolina where 2 have died faces lawsuit over child sexual assault

TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — Just a week after a boy from New York died within 24 hours of arriving at the North Carolina “wilderness therapy” camp Trails Carolina, a former campe…

www.wavy.com

‘It’s beyond cruel’: Inside an N.C. wilderness therapy program for teens

Trails Carolina, a wilderness therapy camp in the mountains of North Carolina, advertises itself as a place to help children. But interviews with former participants, staff and parents who have sent their children to the camp suggest it may do the opposite.

www.wbtv.com

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

We don’t even know if for real there was a panic attack. There could have been deliberate infliction of panic-inducing trauma.

100%. The whole thing has trauma written all over it from start to finish. And panic attacks are common in acute trauma. Even forgetting the barbaric treatment that's been reported, the original "kidnapping" from home is highly traumatic and something that should be criminally investigated. This is not discipline for rowdy or delinquent children. This is trauma that, in my view, is equivalent to any other form of mistreatment and abuse of a child.

MOO

MOO.

 

[Izzylizzy]

The Dept of Human Services (DSS) removed the children. The Behavioral Health Board did NOT close them.

So, did the local sheriff and locals social services make this decision after they found out BHH was not going to close the facility? Theu call up parents and threatened to take custody if they don't immediately come pick up the child.

OMG, to be threatened by DSS and the Sheriff's, to go in and physical remove emotional challenged adolescence and take into custody. What a nightmare for these children.
Moo

Press Release for Dept of Human Services

NCDHHS Releases Statement on Trails Carolina Investigation

PRESS RELEASE — The Transylvania County Department of Social Services and Sherriff’s Office, along with staff from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, have been conducting investigations of Trails Carolina following the death of a child on Feb. 3, 2024.

www.ncdhhs.gov

That's funny because I see the kids as having been exuberant with glee getting out of that hell hole.


Snip from your post.
"OMG, to be threatened by DSS and the Sheriff's, to go in and physical remove emotional challenged adolescence and take into custody. What a nightmare for these children."

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

The thing is, LE also uses that term. And it’s a restraint system. To me, it’s not far off from a bivy used as punishment.

I just can't believe that in the year 2024, we still believe that physical punishment of children is appropriate. I just can't.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

I'm wondering where the State moved the children, they removed. Placing 18 adolescence, with emotional and behavioral diagnosis, on short notice is not easy. Many of the children need meds, requiring a doctor's order, how did DSS provide the meds, on short notice? Who explained to these children, why and where they were being moved?

MOO...This was preplanned and orchestrated by the sheriff and local DSS when they found out Behavioral Health did not have enough evidence to close the facility.

Moo, they're in a state, locked down facility, scared to death. I don't see a private agency touching this with a 10 ft pole.

Moo...

Wherever they are, it has to be better than at Trails, IMO.

This argument is equivalent to saying the state shouldn't take children out of abusive homes because we know foster homes aren't great.

MOO.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

https://wlos.com/resources/pdf/4c16e4c8-c232-4d50-a04f-4b1dd40d7b8e-SOALetterTrailsCarolina02.16.2024FINAL.doc.pdf

https://wlos.com/resources/pdf/3fc3d6c0-383e-4f9b-9e3e-9216ba276869-TRAILSCAROLINAMEDIASTATEMENT_FEB.162024.pdf

https://wlos.com/resources/pdf/8097ca49-8383-4d71-a428-a09a986abc85-911Transcript.pdf