Document Library N-Z

Welcome to page 2 of our document library. This page contains survivor statements, court documents, news articles, photos, etc. pertaining to OPEN facilities with names beginning with letters "N" through "Z".

Information regarding closed facilities is now located on our archives page.

Information relating to a specific person may be listed under the name of the facility he or she was involved with.

Some facilities will have their own web page. That will be noted and a link will be provided here.

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!

Larger documents may take a few minutes to download.

These "quick links" will take you to the documents you are interested in:

National Deaf Academy - Florida

National Deaf Academy is a residential psychiatric treatment center for deaf children.

It is located in Mount Dora, Florida and is currently licensed by the Department of Children and Families.

National Deaf Academy is owned by Psychiatric Solutions, Inc., based in Franklin, Tennesssee.

The facility charges $800 per day for treatment.

ISAC has received complaints alleging:

• Physical abuse by staff members

• Unwarranted and excessive physical restraint including the now-banned face-down prone restraint

• Excessive and prolonged use of "time outs"

• Food deprivation resulting in unhealthy weight loss

• Mishandling of medications

• Unqualified staff

• Failure to follow approved treatment plans

• Sexual abuse by other patients

• Failure to control known sexually-agressive patients, even after the patient admits that he will not stop the behavior

• Failure to communicate with parents

• Falure to allow communication between children and parents

• Children are afraid to report abuse, including sexual abuse, because the children are often accused of lying

• Refusal to release medications, including those that prevent seizures, to patients leaving the facility

ISAC encourages parents to use extreme caution when considering placement at National Deaf Academy.

National Deaf Academy Student Confessed to Rape

New Beginnings Rebekah Home - Florida

New Beginnings Rebekah Home is a Christian boarding school located in Pace, Florida.

Faye Cameron is a Director at the facility.

In 1999, Faye Cameron was banned from ever working at or being present at ANY juvenile facility in Texas after authorities confirmed that she had duct-taped the wrists of a girl, then locked her in a room.

New Beginnings Rebekah Home is currently accredited by FACCCA (Florida Association of Christian Child Caring Agencies).

For complete information regarding FACCCA, please visit our FACCCA page.

The Rebekah Home - Director Banned from Working with Kids,
Husband a Member of the Accredition Board

Husband of Accused Director to Resign Position on Accreditation Board

Former "Student" of the Rebekah Home Tells of Abuse
at the Hands of Faye Cameron

Wiley Cameron, Jr. Accused of Child Abuse at a Roloff Home

Wiley Cameron, Sr. Arrested for Refusing
to Release Records to Authorities

Warning Signs as Pres. Bush Expands Texas-Style Program to National Level*

*Report from the Texas Freedom Network

Faith-Based Homes on Trial (TACCCA)

Faith-Based Plan Lacks Oversight (TACCCA)

Lester Roloff - Death or Jail, but NO Licensing

Court Approves Closure of Roloff Homes

Oaks Treatment Center

Oaks Treatment Center is in Austin, Texas.

ISAC has received complaints of ongoing emotional, verbal, and physical abuse at the facility.

We have also received complaints of unsanitary conditions at the facility, including rats, roaches and blood being on the floor for days at a time.

In June 2003, former staff member Edward Johnson, 19, was sentenced to 5 years in prison after pleading guilty to indecency with a child.

In a civil suit against Oaks Treatment Center, the child's family along with the family of another child, accuse Johnson of raping their daughters at the facility.

Oaks is accused of negligence in appointing the 19 year-old to supervise the shower and dorm facilities for girls.

Until March of 2003, Oaks Treatment Center was part of the Brown Schools network of juvenile treatment facilities.

Oaks Treatment Center Sued for Negligence

Travis Parker

In April 2005, Travis Parker died after being restrained at Appalachian Wilderness Camp in Cleveland, Georgia. Travis was 13 years old. Travis was held in a face-down restraint by 3 staff members for approximately 90 minutes. During the restraint, Travis complained of breathing problems and asked for his asthma rescue inhaler. Staff members refused. Staff members finally realized something was wrong after Travis went limp and stopped breathing. According to the autopsy, Travis' heart stopped during the restraint. His death was ruled a homicide. The staff members involved have since been charged with murder. The director of the facility was fired after refusing to take a lie-detector test. In a disturbing turn of events, prosecutors dropped all charges against the staff members just before their trial was to begin.

DA Will Not Pursue Any New Charges in Death of Travis Parker

No Further Charges in the Death of Travis Parker

Charges May Be Reduced for Staff Members who Killed Travis Parker

A June Trial for Staff Members Charged with Killing Travis Parker

The Sad Life of Travis Parker

Murder Charges in Death of Travis Parker Can Proceed

Staff Members Plead Not Guilty in Death of Travis Parker

Director of Appalachian Wilderness Camp Fired After Restraint Death

Accreditation of Appalachian Wilderness Camp Under Review

Georgia Determines that Deadly Face-Down Restraint Often Used

6 Counselors Charged with Murder in Death of Travis Parker at Appalachian Wilderness Camp

Death of Travis Parker at Appalachian Wilderness Camp Ruled a Homicide

Counselors Fired Following Restraint Death at Appalachian Wilderness Camp

Defiance was Fatal for Child at Appalachian Wilderness Camp

13 Year-Old Dies Following Restraint at Appalachian Wilderness Camp

Restraint Report from Protection and Advocacy, Inc.

Pathway Family Center

Pathway Family Center currently has drug treatment facilities in Michigan and Indiana.

The Pathway programs are direct descendants of Straight, Inc.

Straight, Inc. is considered to be one of the most abusive programs in United States history and has been classified as a cult.

Straight, Inc. Michigan closed in 1993, not long after the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that "Michigan regulators plan to inspect the facility weekly, after finding the program had twice inappropriately restrained clients, injuring one. Michigan has ordered the program to get a residential license, entailing more stringent inspection of host home arrangements."

Helen Gowanny, the director of Straight, Inc. Michigan, along with the parents of some graduates, then opened Pathway Family Center.

Terry Nissley, the current director of Pathway Family Center, was one of those parents. Her daughter is a graduate of Straight, Inc. Michigan.

The after-care coordinator at the Indiana facility is reported to be a Straight, Inc. graduate as well.

A relative of Ambassador Mel Sembler - the founder of Straight, Inc. - was a client at Pathway and ISAC has received reports that the child was allowed to fly to Florida for the weekends.

Other children in the facility are not offered such privileges.

Former clients have told ISAC that Mel and Betty Sembler were named on the "host home list" even though they live in Florida and Pathway is located in Michgan and Indiana.

According to survivors, the program is still very much like Straight, Inc.

Contrary to the claims of parents, first phase clients weren't allowed to wear shoes in the building in 2003.

One survivor has reported being forced to wear wet socks and pants all day after a toilet overflowed in the facility.

He requested permission to change his soiled clothing, and was refused.

A 2003 investigation by ISAC revealed that Pathway was placing children in host/foster homes even though they are not licensed by the state to do so.

As a result of our investigation and subsequent report, Pathway Family Center was placed on probation by the Council on Accreditation (COA).

For complete information about Pathway Family Center, please visit our main Pathway Family Center page.

Click here for more information about Straight, Inc.

Peninsula Village

Peninsula Village is a residential treatment center in Louisville, Tennessee.

The facility is owned by Covenant Health of Knoxville, Tennessee.

ISAC has received complaints alleging physical and emotional abuse, excessive isolation from parents, excessive use of physical and chemical restraints, contant monitoring of communciations with parents, improper physical restraint where staff members literally sit on children, and not complying with federal regulations requiring the notification of parents when mechanical restraints are used.

In 1999, an investigation by the Centers for Disease Control determined that the source of an E. coli outbreak at Peninsula Village was food prepared in the cafeteria. Catherine Russe, a resident at Peninsula Village, was hospitalized after she began suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome.

A search of the internet revealed that someone claiming to be a counselor at Peninsula Village has an interest in photographing fetishes, including women in bondage.

Statement from a Survivor of Peninsula Village

Underworld Images MySpace Page

E. Coli Outbreak Spurs Lawsuit

Pillars of Hope

Pillars of Hope was formerly called 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.

Owner of Pillars of Hope to Stand Trial on Abuse Charges

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.

Pine View Academy - Mississippi

Pine View Academy is located in Lucedale, Mississippi.

The facility operated for many years as Bethel Boys Home, then Bethel Boys Academy, but changed its name to Eagle Point Christian Academy 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.

Complete information, including court records and photos, is located on our Pine View Academy page.

Provo Canyon School

Despite its name, Provo Canyon School is actually a locked down mental health facility in Provo, Utah.

It has been the source of several disturbing complaints alleging physical abuse, forced drugging, and emotional cruelty.

Provo Canyon Article

Statement from a Former "Student"

Statement from another Former "Student"

P.U.R.E., Inc./Sue Scheff

P.U.R.E., Inc. (Parents Universal Resource Experts), is based in Florida.

The owner is Sue Scheff.

Scheff's child was a "student" at a WWASPS (World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools) facility and during that time, Scheff was reportedly the most successful referrer they had ever had.

Scheff later became a vocal critic of the schools and began her own referral agency, P.U.R.E., Inc.

Scheff is not certified as an educational consultant.

Despite a criminal investigation into abuse at Whitmore Academy, Scheff continued to refer children to the facility.

The investigation has resulted in convictions on four counts of attempted hazing against owner Cheryl Sudweeks, yet Scheff continues to support Whitmore Academy and has been critical of those making the allegations of abuse.

Scheff and her "colleague," advocate-turned-referrer Isabelle Zehnder, have created blog pages on several internet sites with the sole purpose of harassing Joyce Harris (see her statement below).

Other blog pages extol the virtues of Cheryl and Mark Sudweeks, calling the charges false - even though Sudweeks pled no contest.

The sites fail to mention that as part of the plea deal, Cheryl Sudweeks is banned from running a program for children in Juab County, Utah for the rest of her life.

Most recently, Sue Scheff and Isabelle Zehnder have been flooding the internet with self-promoting web sites, news articles, and press releases.

At the same time, they have threatened several website hosts including GoDaddy, with lawsuits in attempts to force the removal of negative information.

Sue Scheff has even falsely claimed to have a trademark on her name.

As of July 2007, Sue Scheff and P.U.R.E. are being sued in connection to a referral made to Focal Point Academy in Mesquite, Nevada.

As it turns out, Focal Point - like many of the WWASPS facilities - is not licensed and appears to be lacking in professional staff.

According to the lawsuit, Sue Scheff told the family she was not paid to make referrals - when in fact she is.

The lawsuit also alleges that the child referred to Focal Point by Sue Scheff was sexually abused at the program.

Click Here to Read the Lawsuit

For more information, please see our Whitmore Academy section.

Sue Scheff Truth

Cease and Desist Letter Sent to Joyce Harris by the Attorney Representing Sue Scheff/PURE, Inc.

Statement from the Mother and Grandmother of a Former Student of Whitmore Academy

Statement from the Parents of a Former Student of Whitmore Academy

Melvin Sembler, Founder - Straight, Inc.

Melvin Sembler is one of the founding members of Straight, Inc.

Another company he founded, Sembler Co., is considered to be the top land developer in Florida.

Sembler is also our current Ambassador to Italy and long-time friend and financial contributor to the Bush Family.

He and his wife Betty still have considerable influence over the nation's drug policies.

Mel Sembler, Founder of Straight, Inc. Says He's Retiring
as Ambassador to Italy

ISAC's Mel Sembler Report

Sembler Report Appendix A

The Clinicians Appendix B

Sembler is Warned By HRS

Mel Sembler and his documented influence over the FL Dept.
of Health and Rehabilitative Services

Mel Semblers Bio

Mel Sembler Sues Straight, Inc. Survivor Richard Bradbury

Sembler Demands His Penis Pump

Mel Sembler's Application for Ambassadorship

UN Complaint Filed Against Ambassador Sembler

Definition Of Crimes Against Humanity

Please see our documents regarding Straight, Inc. for more information.

Spring Creek Lodge Academy

Spring Creek Lodge Academy is located in Thompson Falls, Montana.

It is 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.

Owner/Director Cameron Pullan began working for Robert Lichfield in 1991/1992 at WWASPS flagship program, Cross Creek Manor.

Pullan then worked for Lichfield at Brightway Adolescent Hospital before opening Spring Creek Lodge Academy.

Dan Peart, owner of Majestic Ranch Academy and brother-in-law of Robert Lichfield, is one of two Vice Presidents of Spring Creek Lodge.

Peart's wife Donna is the other.

Spring Creek Lodge received at least 40 children from Casa by the Sea when the facility was closed by Mexican Authorities in September, 2004.

As a result, the facility was reportedly overcrowded and understaffed.

The following month, a 16 year old girl committed suicide at the facility.

Information obtained by ISAC indicates that staff members "missed" the child during a head-count.

She was later discovered in a bathroom, hanging from her own shirt.

At last report, there were over 520 children at Spring Creek Lodge.

The facility reportedly has many staff members who lack even a high school diploma and recent complaints indicate that the facility does not have a licensed nurse on staff.

Former students have complained of ritual abuse, sexual abuse, brutal and unwarranted physical restraint, humiliation, and the use of excessive isolation.

According to former students, isolation takes place in a small, run-down building called the "Hobbit."

Marketing materials claim that Spring Creek Lodge Academy has been in operation for "20 years."

While this may be technically true, the facility has only been used to house children since the late 1990's.

Prior to that, the property was a hunting lodge.

Spring Creek Lodge is currently being sued by at least 2 families.

Anyone with concerns about a specific child at Spring Creek Lodge is encouraged to call the Montana Child Abuse Hotline at 866-820-5437.

Montana Needs Licensure that Protects Kids, Not Program Owners

Montana May Actually Regulate Teen Programs

Lawsuits Mount Against Spring Creek Lodge Academy

Spring Creek Lodge Academy Featured on PBS

Spring Creek Lodge Announces Split from WWASPS

Child Beaten at Spring Creek Lodge Academy; Parents Want Answers

Spring Creek Lodge Academy Student, Mother Found Dead

Contraband Communications & Spring Creek Lodge Academy

Child Falls Down Cliff After Escaping from
Spring Creek Lodge Academy

Montana Panel to Begin Work "Regulating" Youth Homes

Montana Pretends to Regulate Teen Programs

Who's Watching Spring Creek Lodge Academy?

Questions Raised about Northwest Assoc. of Accredited Schools

Spring Creek Lodge Staff Member Shoots Man, Kills Himself

Photo: The Hobbit

Child Commits Suicide at Spring Creek Lodge

Court Document: Transcript of WWASPS v. Pure

Statement from a Former "Student" of Spring Creek Lodge

Statement from another Former "Student"

Spring Creek Staff Member Pleads Guilty to Child Endangerment

Teen Escort Used by WWASPS has History of Domestic Violence
and Child Molestation

Trouble at Spring Creek Lodge

WWASPS Seminars: Warm Embrace or Pyscho Cry Fest?

Please see our main WWASPS page for more information regarding WWASPS and Teen Help.

Information about Brightway Adolescent Hospital, as well as other closed WWASPS facilities, is located on our Archives page.

Substance Abuse and Family Education (SAFE, Inc.)

SAFE, Inc. is a drug treatment facility in Orlando, Florida.

It was previously the Orlando branch of Straight, Inc.

Straight, Inc. is considered to be one of the most abusive programs in United States history and has been classified as a cult.

Statement from a Former Sibling

ISAC Report On SAFE

Addendum To SAFE Report

SAFE Survivor Statement

SAFE Parent Statement

Jeb Bush and SAFE

Physician's Assessment of SAFE Survivors

Interview With Brian Seeber, Director of SAFE

SAFE (or else), from the Orlando Weekly

For complete information, please visit our main SAFE page.

Click here for more information about Straight, Inc.

Student Transition and Recovery (S.T.A.R.)

Student Transition and Recovery (S.T.A.R.) currently operates programs in Texas, Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania, and Alabama.

S.T.A.R. describes itself as an alternative to boot-camp type programs, although children are required to participate in exercises and "military style drills" before and after school.

The S.T.A.R. website displays a quote from Judge Olen Underwood who praises the program saying:

"S.T.A.R., when implemented correctly, is a major weapon in addressing behavioral problems for both adults and juveniles." --The Honorable Olen Underwood, 284th District Court Judge, Montgomery County, Texas.

The S.T.A.R. website fails to mention that Judge Underwood is the founder of the program.

Judge Underwood, who was appointed by then-Governor (now President) George W. Bush to be the presiding judge of the Second Administrative Judicial Region of Texas, has also been a trustee on the board of at least two Baptist homes for boys.

ISAC has received complaints of physical and psychological abuse, and medical neglect resulting in serious injury.

The Ogdensburg, New York branch has a history of abuse allegations and once employed a serial child molester.

STAR Program Under Fire

Counselor Accused of Sex Abuse at STAR Program Faces Bail Increase

Private Investigator Will Probe STAR Progam

STAR Program Once Again Under Fire for Abuse

STAR Accuser Under Scrutiny; Possible Retaliation for Reporting Abuse

New Advisory Board Watching STAR

Serial Child Molester Back in Court; Worked at STAR

STAR: A Kinder, Gentler Shock Program?

Summit School - New York

The Summit School is located in Nyack, New York.

The facility accepts children in state custody as well as those placed by parents.

Problems at New York Youth Homes

Abuse at Several New York Youth Homes

Parents Sue Summit School after Son's Death

Teen Convicted of Manslaughter for Death at Summit School

Student Denies Killing Roommate at Summit School

Teen Pushed from Window At Summit School

Summit Quest Academy - Pennsylvania

Summit Quest Academy is located in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.

In February 2006, 16 year-old Giovanni Aletriz died after being restrained at the facility.

The coroner ruled that Giovanni had an enlarged heart and died from "natural" causes.

However, the state Department of Public Welfare placed Summit Quest on a six-month provisional license after an investigation revealed significant health and safety concerns for the children at the facility.

Just 2 months earlier, in December 2005, 17 year-old James White died at Summit Quest.

The coroner also ruled that James had an enlarged heart and died from "natural" causes.

Mother of Giovanni Aletriz Says His Death Was No Accident

No Charges Filed After Giovanni Aletriz Dies at Summit Quest Academy

Teen Dies Following Restraint at Summit Quest Academy

Summit Quest Academy Student Charged With Attempted Rape

Summit Quest Academy Student Charged With Aggravated Assault

Teen Help/World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools

WWASPS is an association of boarding facilities in the US and abroad.

Teen Help is the marketing partner for the various facilities.

Several facilities have closed following investigations into abuse.

The others are/have been the subjects of numerous complaints of abuse, state investigations, and lawsuits.

Please visit our main WWASPS page for much more information including a complete list of closed and open facilities, reports, videos, and news articles.

Thayer Learning Center/TLC Boot Camp

Thayer Learning Center is located in Kidder, Missouri.

In November 2004, 15 year-old Roberto Reyes died at the facility after showing signs of severe illness for several days.

State investigators determined that Roberto likely would have recovered from the illness, had he received medical attention.

His death is being blamed on a spider bite.

Roberto's parents sued Thayer Learning Center and for wrongful death.

In March 2006, the case was settled out of court when Thayer agreed to pay just over $1 million in damages.

John Bundy is thought to be a former employee of Teen Help/WWASPS (World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools).

Willa Bundy is the former owner/director of Linden House, a WWASPS-affiliated boarding school specifically for pregnant teens that is no longer operating.

Complete information, including legal documents and news articles, is available on our Thayer Learning Center Page.

Click here for more information about WWASPS.

Tranquility Bay

Tranquility Bay is a boarding facility in Jamaica.

It is 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.

Students who do not comply with the rules of the other WWASPS facilities are transferred to Tranquility Bay.

Jay Kay, Director of Tranquility Bay, is the son of Ken Kay - current President of WWASPS.

Tranquility Bay has been the source of the most complaints of physical abuse received by ISAC.

Complete information, including photos, is available on our Tranquility Bay page.

Click here for more information about WWASPS.

Turning Point Family Care

Turning Point Family Care is located in Kanab, Utah.

The facility also goes by the name Turning Point at the Junction.

Director of Turning Point Family Care Charged with Rape of Teen

Lighthouse Ministries/Victory Christian Academy/Genesis Ministries

Lighthouse Ministries of North West Florida is a locked-down facility for girls in Jay, Florida.

Its previous name was Victory Christian Academy/Genesis Ministries.

The owner of the facility, Brother Michael Palmer, was a long-time associate of Lester Roloff.

Roloff gained notoriety in the 70's for paddling pregnant teens in his care and for declaring that he would die before he submitted to state licensing of his programs for wayward juveniles.

Victory Christian Academy used to be located in California but Palmer and his wife moved the facility to Florida after a California judge ordered the facility to close and banned Palmer and his wife Patty from EVER working at another unlicensed facility in the state.

At the time, Palmer was on probation after being convicted of operating a community care facility without a license.

That facility was Victory Christian Academy.

Palmer also owned Genesis by the Sea, located in Mexico.

Mexican authorities raided Genesis by the Sea on September 10, 2004 after finding evidence of abuse, neglect and a "punishment cell."

Officials gave the program 48 hours to remove all children from the facility.

Several students and many of the staff members have been moved to Victory Christian Academy.

A former student has accused Michael Palmer of rape and he is reportedly "not allowed" to be alone with any of the girls in his care.

Victory Christian Academy is presently accredited by FACCCA (Florida Association of Christian Child Caring Agencies).

The current Vice President of FACCCA is Michael Palmer.

For more information regarding FACCCA, please visit our FACCCA page.

Michael Palmer's son and son-in-law are both deputies for the local sheriff's department.

Michael Palmer's son reportedly transported students to Genesis by the Sea.

Palmer was listed on the Board of Directors for Palm Lane Baptist Academy, which closed earlier this year after years of allegations of abuse against the school and its sister-school, Mountain Park Baptist Academy.

Mountain Park closed as well and information obtained by ISAC indicates that employees of Mountain Park are now employed at Victory.

For complete information, including news articles and video, please visit our Victory Christian Academy page

For more information regarding Palm Lane and Mountain Park Academies, please see our archives page.

VisionQuest

VisionQuest operates several facilities in different states including Pennsylvania and Arizona.

Several children died at VisionQuest facilities in the 90's.

There have been numerous recent incidents of violence at the Pennsylvania facility, including a riot in May 2006.

Vision Quest: One Family's Nightmare

Supervisor Arrested; Charged with Child Abuse at VisionQuest

Authorities Critical of California VisionQuest Affiliate

Teen Runs From VisionQuest, Returns With a Gun

Girls Riot at Pennsylvania VisionQuest

16 Year-Old Accused in Death of Father; Boy Spent Time at VisionQuest

Whitmore Academy

Owner Accused of Abuse at Whitmore Academy Gets Plea Deal

Whitmore Academy Property and Horses for Sale

New Allegations of Abuse at Whitmore Academy

Owner of Whitmore Academy Charged with 7 Counts
of Child Abuse and Hazing

Cheryl Sudweeks Charged with 7 Counts of Child Abuse and Hazing

Cheryl Sudweeks, Owner of Whitmore Academy, Charged
with Child Abuse

Whitmore Academy Cited for Fire Code Violations, Resists Licensure

Cease and Desist Letter Sent to Joyce Harris by the
Attorney Representing Sue Scheff/PURE, Inc.

Court Document: Sudweeks Claim Against Former Student

Statement from the Mother and Grandmother of a Former Student

Statement from the Parents of a Former Student

Whitmore Academy Investigated for Abuse

Portions of the Whitmore Academy Contract

Mark Sudweeks Found Guilty of Animal Cruelty

Transcript of Appeal

Owners of Whitmore Academy Ordered to Leave Mexico

Mark Sudweeks Once Involved in Business Dealings
with Steven Cartisano

Additional Comments from the Director of ISAC, posted on February 16, 2005:

In a telephone conversation on Friday, February 11, 2005 with ISAC Director Shelby Earnshaw, Mark Sudweeks claimed that Joyce Harris "dragged her daughter out [of Whitmore Academy] by the hair."

In the days following, ISAC became aware of statements made by Sue Scheff who reportedly claimed to have a copy of the incident report filed by the Nephi City Police Officer who accompanied Joyce Harris to Whitmore Academy.

Along with this claim, Sue Scheff also reportedly said that the incident report stated that Mrs. Harris had dragged her daughter by the hair.

Sue Scheff also reportedly stated that the police officers investigating the case do not believe Mrs. Harris.

Because ISAC is committed to reporting FACTUAL INFORMATION, Director Shelby Earnshaw spoke directly to the investigator in charge of the case on Tuesday, February 15, 2005.

Among other things, the investigator stated that he believes Joyce Harris is "very credible."

During that conversation, ISAC also learned that due to a clerical error, the incident report in question had never been entered into the computer and DID NOT EXIST prior to ISAC's phone call to the Nephi City Police on February 15, 2005.

Therefore, it would not be possible for Mark Sudweeks or Sue Scheff to have a copy of the report in question.

Today, Wednesday February 16, ISAC obtained a copy of the report made by the Nephi City Police on the night that Joyce Harris removed her daughter from Whitmore Academy.

It is not public record so only excerpts will be posted on this site, however the report supports the fact that statements accusing Mrs. Harris of dragging her daughter by the hair, are false.

On 11-27-04 at approximately 02:21 hours I accompanied Richard and Joyce Harris of San Antonio, Texas to the Whitmore Academy.

When [the child] was about to leave several girls from the academy told Joyce that she couldn't take her. Joyce insisted and began pulling on [the child's] arm as several girls pulled on her other arm to try and keep her there.

Once again the girls told Joyce that she couldn't take her. Joyce pulled on her arm and the other girls pulled her back. [The child] broke loose and swiftly exited the mansion.

In the telephone conversation with Mark Sudweeks on February 11, ISAC informed him that he was welcome to submit a response to the statements made by Joyce Harris.

Mr. Sudweeks conveyed no interest in doing that and has sent no response to date, however he did state several times that ISAC would be hearing from his attorney.

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

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