Archives
Welcome to our archives. This page contains survivor statements, court documents, news articles, photos, etc. regarding
facilities that have closed or are currently operating under a new name.
Information relating to a specific person may be listed under the name of the facility he or she was involved with.
Many of our documents are PDF files and require the Adobe Acrobat Reader. This link will take you to the Adobe download page: Get Adobe Acrobat Now!
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* Indicates a facility known/thought to be affiliated with the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) and/or Teen Help.
Bethel Girls Academy
Bethel Girls Academy is located in Petal, Mississippi.
The facility has generated many complaints of abuse during the last several years.
The facility recently became part of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS).
State authorities removed all the children from Bethel Girls Academy in May 2004 following allegations of abuse.
The facility was then filled to capacity when girls were transferred from Casa by the Sea in September 2004.
Casa by the Sea, a WWASPS facility in Mexico, was closed in September 2004 after officials reportedly found evidence of abuse.
Bethel Girls Academy again closed, following new allegations of abuse and an uprising by students in February 2005.
The Fountain family is still in the teen help industry.
Their latest venture, Pine View Academy, is actually the renamed Bethel Boys Academy.
For more information about Pine View and its history, please visit our Pine View Academy Page
For more information about WWASPS, please visit our WWASPS information page.
Bethel Girls Academy Closed - AGAIN
Uprising at Bethel Girls Academy
New Allegations of Abuse at Bethel Girls Academy
Teen Talks About Abuse at Bethel Girls Academy
Mississippi Senator Wants More Regulation of Private Schools
History of Abuse at Bethel Schools
Bethel in Negotiations with Mississippi Officials
Bethel Girls Academy Takes New Students After State Removes 38
State Releases Some Details of Bethel Abuse
State Removes All Children from Bethel Girls Academy
Attorney General Wants to Close Bethel
State of Mississippi vs. Herman Fountain
Court Document: Bethel Raided by Police
Older Bethel Articles, Courtesy of Project NOSpank
Brightway Adolescent Hospital
Brightway Adolescent Hospital "evaluated" many children before they were sent to facilities operating according to the
guidelines of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) and affiliated with Teen Help.
The Utah facility closed after allegations of abuse and an investigation by the state which revealed that many patient treatment plans were identical.
Ken Kay, President of WWASPS, was the director of Brightway at the time.
His son, Jay Kay worked as a security guard at the facility.
He now runs Tranquility Bay, a WWASPS facility in Jamaica.
Brightway Adolescent Hospital Closed
Former Patient Sues WWASPS/Teen Help
Please see our main WWASPS page for more information regarding WWASPS and Teen Help.
Casa by the Sea
Casa by the Sea is located in Ensenada, Mexico.
It was one of several facilities operating according to the
guidelines of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) and affiliated with Teen Help.
Mexican authorities raided Casa by the Sea on September 10, 2004 after finding evidence of abuse and neglect.
Officials gave the program 48 hours to remove all children from the facility.
Dace Goulding, former director of Casa by the Sea, is now running Darrington Academy - another WWASPS facility in Georgia.
Goulding is also the president of a nearby Mormon church.
ISAC Press Release 1
ISAC Press Release 2
Questions Swirl around Closure of Casa by the Sea and Other US Programs in Mexico
Luke Hallows Responds to Allegations of Abuse at Casa by the Sea
Mexican Officials Close American Owned Tough Love Programs
Casa by the Sea Teens Bused to San Diego
Mexican Officials Close Casa by the Sea, Casa la Esperanza, and Genesis by the Sea
Mexico Deports Hundreds of U.S. Teens
Mexican Officials Shut Down Casa by the Sea
Parents Shopping for Discipline Turn to Harsh Programs Abroad
Mexican Officials Remove 8 Children From High Impact
Casa by the Sea - Hope or Hell?
Utah Officials Forced to Play "Find the Owner"
Teens Complain of Torture at Foreign Treatment Camps
Statement from Chelsea Filer, a "student" of Casa by the Sea and High Impact
Statement from a former "student" of Casa by the Sea
Statement from the Parent of a former "student" of Casa by the Sea
Statement from another former "student" of Casa by the Sea
A Psychologist's Opinion of Casa by the Sea
Journal of a Former Student
Please see our main WWASPS page for more information regarding WWASPS and Teen Help.
CEDU/Brown Schools
The CEDU schools are located in California.
They were founded by Mel Wasserman after he became involved with Synanon. Experts have classified Synanon as a cult.
The CEDU Schools were recently acquired by the Brown Schools.
Brown Schools Accused of Delaying the Payment of Lawsuit Settlements
CEDU Announces Closure of All Facilities
Student Missing from Cedu School
CEDU Sued for Abuse and Fraud
CEDU Settles Case of Abuse and Fraud
Teen Escort Accused of Rape
Suicide at Rocky Mountain Academy
Rick Ross's Synanon Page
University of Virginia
The IRS on Synanon
DeSisto School
The DeSisto School had been operating in Massachusetts, but closed after an investigation into allegations
of child abuse.
The school transferred many students to a sister-school in Mexico.
News reports indicated that the school was trying to reopen in Vermont.
Former Head of DeSisto Hopes to be Sheriff in Arizona
Survivors of DeSisto School MSN Group
DeSisto School Closing in Mass. - Sending Students to Mexico
DeSisto May Reopen in Vermont
Dundee Ranch Academy
Dundee Ranch Academy operated in Costa Rica until May, 2003.
The facility was forced to close after officials found evidence of child abuse.
The facility was one of several operating according to the
guidelines of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) and affiliated with Teen Help.
Owner Narvin Lichfield is the brother of Robert Lichfield, founder and principal financial backer of WWASPS.
The property is still owned by Narvin Lichfield and is now the location of Pillars of Hope.
The facility claims to accept only legal adults, but is advertised on several web sites that promote WWASPS facilities.
Posts have also been made to at least one of the parent bulletin boards requesting that "upper level" students transfer
to Pilllars of Hope.
Narvin Lichfield is scheduled to make history on September 24, 2006 by being the first WWASPS program-owner to be put on trial for abuse.
Narvin Lichfield to Stand Trial in Costa Rica
Teen Learns How Tough Love Can Be at Dundee Ranch Academy
Narvin Lichfield Donated to President of Costa Rica Following Investigation into Abuse
Parents Still Worried About Dundee Ranch Academy
Narvin Lichfield, Owner of 2 WWASPS Facilities, Still Confused
Students' Complaints Compound Problems for Dundee Ranch Academy
Narvin Lichfield Plans to Reopen Dundee Ranch
Costa Rican Officials Criticized for Not Doing Enough to Protect Kids at Dundee Ranch
Academy at Dundee Ranch Sent to Timeout
Costa Rican Man Helps Lost Dundee Ranch "Student"
Teen Prison Closes in Costa Rica
Teens Allege Torture at Dundee Ranch Academy
Narvin Lichfield Released from Jail, Closes Dundee Ranch Academy
Scandal Hits Dundee Ranch Academy
Feared Staff Members from Dundee Sent to Tranquility Bay
Questions About the Future of Dundee Ranch Academy
Chaos at Dundee Ranch Academy
WWASPS Responds to Abuse Claims at Dundee Ranch Academy
Future Uncertain for Dundee Ranch Academy
Teens Talk About Abuse at Dundee Ranch Academy
Teens From Dundee Ranch Academy Headed to Tranquility Bay
Narvin Lichfield, Owner of Carolina Springs Academy, Arrested
Narvin Lichfield, Owner of Dundee Ranch Academy, Arrested
Costa Rica Wants Owner of Dundee Ranch Academy Held for 6 Months
Costa Rica Takes Over Dundee Ranch Academy
Costa Rican Officials Raid Dundee Ranch Academy
Dundee Ranch Academy Advertised as Military Boot Camp
Costa Rican Officials Plan to Investigate Dundee Ranch Academy
Mother Frees Sons from Dundee Ranch Academy
Please see our main WWASPS page for more information regarding WWASPS and Teen Help.
Eagle Point Christian Academy/Bethel Boys Academy
Eagle Point Christian Academy is located in Lucedale, Mississippi.
The facility operated for many years as Bethel Boys Home then Bethel Boys Academy, but changed its name in an attempt to distance itself from allegations of child abuse and neglect.
Shortly before the name change, Eagle Point Christian Academy/Bethel Boys became part of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS).
The facility is currently named in a civil suit alleging criminal acts amounting to torture.
Children desperate to leave the facility initiated a riot in April 2005.
Eagle Point/Bethel Boys was damaged by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005.
The boys were transferred to different WWASPS facilities, including Darrington Academy in Georgia.
In late 2005, the facility reopened under ANOTHER name - Respect Camp.
Respect Camp advertised itself as a 60-120 day Christian boot camp and was operated by John Fountain.
In early 2006, the facility's name was changed to Respect Camp, then Cambridge Academy.
Now Bethel Boys/Eagle Point/Respect Camp/Cambridge Academy is called Pine View Academy.
Information obtained by ISAC in early 2006 indicates that new arrivals to Cambridge Academy have to "earn" a mattress and sleep on a bare wooden bunk until they do.
We have also learned that the blankets on the bunks still bear the Bethel Boys name and logo.
ISAC Exclusive: Photos of Cambridge Academy
Enrollment Down at Eagle Point Christian Academy
Mom Removes Twins from Eagle Point Christian Academy
Eagle Point Christian Academy to Have Tighter Security
1 Boy Missing Following Riot at Eagle Point Christian Academy/Bethel Boys Academy
Weekend Riot at Eagle Point/Bethel Academy
Riot at Eagle Point/Bethel Academy Injures 7
Allegations of Abuse Continue at Eagle Point Christian Academy/Bethel Boys Academy
Eagle Point Christian Academy/Bethel Boys Academy Lacks Professionals
Parents Upset After Discovering That Eagle Point Christian Academy is Really Bethel Boys Academy
Official Court Document: Complaint Filed Against Bethel Boys Academy
Parents File Federal Suit Against Bethel
Director of Bethel Threatens to Countersue
Bethel Boys Home Sued for Abuse, Director Insults Plaintiffs - November 3, 2004
Bethel Boys Academy Again Investigated for Child Abuse
Mississippi Senator Wants More Regulation of Private Schools
History of Abuse at Bethel Schools
Attorney General Wants to Close Bethel
State of Mississippi vs. Herman Fountain
Court Document: Bethel Boys Academy Raided by Police
Older Bethel Articles, Courtesy of Project NOSpank
Please see our main WWASPS page for more information regarding WWASPS and Teen Help.
Genesis by the Sea - Mexico
Genesis by the Sea was an all-girls facility located in Rosarita, Mexico.
The facility was owned by Michael Palmer who also owns/operates Victory Christian Academy.
Palmer moved Victory to Jay, Florida after a California judge ordered the facility to close and banned Michael Palmer and his wife Patty from EVER working at an unlicensed facility in the state of California.
A former student has accused Michael Palmer, aka Brother Palmer, of sexual battery.
Michael Palmer's son, a deputy with the local Sherrif's Department, reportedly "escorted" children to Genesis by the Sea.
Mexican authorities raided Genesis by the Sea on September 10, 2004 after finding evidence of abuse and neglect.
Officials gave the program 48 hours to remove all children from the facility.
ISAC Press Release
Genesis by the Sea CLOSED
Statment from Melanie Villaruel, Former "Student"
A Letter from "Satan" Given to Students at Genesis
Offical Court Document: Michael Palmer, Owner of Victory Christian Academy, Accused of Sexual Battery Against a Student
Official Court Document: Court Order Banning Michael and Patty Palmer from Working at ANY Unlicensed Facility in the State of California
For more information about Victory Christian Academy and Michael Palmer, including additional court documents, please visit our
Victory Christian Academy page.
Mountain Park & Palm Lane Academies
Mountain Park and Palm Lane Schools Closed
Judge Rules Against Mountain park
Lawsuit Against Mountain Park
Allegations of Abuse at Mountain Park
Missouri a Haven for Unlicensed Schools
No Shortage of Reform Schools in Missouri
Mountain Park Owner Against Regulations
No Regulations for Missouri Schools
History of Lester Roloff
Mountain Park Magazine Article - Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Sister Soldiers
Sister Soldier Military Academy was operated from a home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
State officials learned of the private school following allegations of physical abuse.
Investigators determined that the facility was not licensed or regulated by any agency because a loophole in Florida law does not require licensure of private schools.
Sister Soldiers abruptly closed shortly after the investigation began.
TV talk-show host Larry Elder sent at least one child to the unlicensed facility.
Loophole Allowed Sister Soldiers to Avoid Regulation
Sister Soldiers Closes During Investigation into Child Abuse
Skyline Journey
Skyline Journey was located in Nephi, Utah.
In July 2002, 15-year-old Ian August collapsed and died of heat exhaustion while on an afternoon hike in the desert.
Two employees were charged with child-abuse homicide.
State investigators determined that when Ian begain showing signs of distress, Skyline staff members decided he was "faking" and did nothing to help him.
In October 2003, a judge revoked Skyline Journey's license to operate.
Skyline Journey Loses License
Skyline Journey Heads to Court Following Death of Ian August
2 Employees Charged in Death of Ian August
Straight, Inc.
Straight, Inc. is widely considered to be the most abusive program in US history.
The nation-wide chain of facilities operated during the late 70's to the early 90's and has been classified as a cult.
Several of the facilities still operate today, but under different names.
Through their wealth and political connections, the founders of the program, Melvin and Betty Sembler, still have considerable influence over the nation's drug policies.
For more information about Straight and the Semblers, please visit melsembler.com and thestraights.com
Family of Boy Injured at BayWalk Files Suit Against Sembler
Miller Newton Will Pay Another $3 Million for Abuse
Settlement Reached in Third Trial of Miller Newton
Miller Newton on Trial Again: Client on 1st Phase for Over 4 Years
Miller Newton's KIDS: Few Made it to Graduation
Mel Sembler: Dirt and the Diplomat
Bankruptcy Trustee Files Complaint Against Former Director of Straight, Inc.
Complaint Filed Against Newton by Bankruptcy Trustee
Florida Officials Take Closer Look at Miller Newton's Bankruptcy
Miller Newton, Former Director of Straight, Inc. Trying to Establish a Church - 2005
Mel Sembler, Founder of Straight, Inc. Says He's Retiring as Ambassador to Italy - 2005
ISAC's Essay: Used by FACTNet to Determine that Straight was an American Cult
ISAC's Straight Inc. Insurance Fraud Prelim Report
Sample Insurance Fraud Document
ISAC's Straight Inc. Tax Fraud Prelim Report
ISAC's Straight Inc. Crimes Report
What The Professionals Say/Crimes Report Appendix A
Crimes Report Appendix A1, DFAF Corporate Documents
Crimes Report Appendix A2
The Clinicians of Straight
Online Survey of Straight Survivors
Accreditation of Straight, Inc. and some spin-off programs
F.A.D.D. Refuses Straight
ISAC's RSC/RSC Report
Some Civil Cases Against Straight
Florida Officials Aiding Straight
Known Suicides (Straight Inc.)
Interview With A Former Straight, Inc. Board Member
Interview With A Second Original Board Member
Interview With A Straight, Inc. Parent
Interview With Former Executive Staff
Interview With Former Straight Staff Member
DHS Knew of Newton's Abuse in 1978 Page 1
Newtons's Abuse Page 2
Miller Newton News Articles
David Crock Report, Former Straight, Inc. Executive - now working for Florida Dept. of Children and Families
Ivor Groves, Former Director of Florida's Dept. of Health and Rehabilitative Services
Swan Valley Youth Academy
Swan Valley Youth Academy was located in Codon, Montana.
State authorities began investigating the facility in December 2005 after allegations of physical assault, verbal abuse and licensing violations surfaced.
Investigators confirmed 19 incidents of abuse and licensing violations.
Cornerstone Programs, the parent company of Swan Valley, drafted a correction plan in February 2006, however the facility closed abruptly the following month.
In July 2007, Christopher Perkins, Director of Swan Valley, was selected by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley to run Victor Cullen Academy, a state facility for troubled teens.
Report on Swan Valley Prompts Chris Perkins to Quit New Job
Advocacy Group Slams Authorities Over Swan Valley Youth Academy
Group Pushes to Open Abuse Report on Swan Valley Youth Academy
Maryland Appoints Administrator With Troubled Background to Head Newly Reopened Youth Facility
Investigative Report from the Montana Division of Child and Family Services
State Investigating Swan Valley Youth Academy
Montana Officials Find Abuse at Swan Valley Youth Academy
Parent Company Drafts Correction Plan for Swan Valley Youth Academy
Swan Valley Youth Academy Closes Following Abuse Investigation
Swan Valley Youth Academy May Reopen in the Future
Survivors
 If you would like to submit a statement describing your experience in any of the facilities listed above, please use this declaration form.
If you have other documents and are willing to release them to
ISAC, please contact us immediately.
ISAC Document Policy
ISAC does not reveal information concerning ongoing investigations UNLESS we feel
we can release the documents without hindering the investigation.
Some Reports or documents can not be released publicly. This is because they are part
of an ongoing criminal investigation by government or law enforcement agencies,
they reveal information pertaining to a juvenile or because they contain information
that we believe would violate a person's right to privacy.
We wish to be fair to all parties involved, and there is no intent whatsoever to
present inaccurate information. ISAC issues its conclusions and professional opinions
in the form of reports based solely on evidence collected during investigations. ISAC does not issue a judgment
on ANY individual or organization. That matter should be and is left to civil
and criminal proceedings.
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If the information is proven to be inaccurate, it will be either changed or
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defined as a disinterested source independent of your group such as a newspaper,
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The individual or organization submitting the rebuttal understands that
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