moonridge academy abuse
WebThere have also been reports made by survivors of sexual abuse occurring at the hands of RCA staff members. We seek to raise awareness and to change the law to protect the teenagers in these programs from harm. Youth should be believed about child sexual abuse, she said. Moonridge Academy services younger teens who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, attachment/adoption issues, emotional dysregulation, poor peer relationships, social withdrawal and school refusal. Level systems have been used in many confirmedly abusive programs, including the notoriously abusive. One of them didnt think I showered for long enough in my twelve minute time frame. Our daughter was at Moonridge and management failed her on every level with a fraudulent smile on their faces and the sing-song sound of their voices. Utah has centers with only a dozen beds, and some that house several hundred children. One girl tried to kill herself and they would not allow anyone to talk to her for a week. Instances of abuse and neglect that have been reported by survivors include excessive restraints, staff abusing their power, punitive punishments, emotional abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. A staff member didnt think my hair was washed properly. One of the girls was anemic and by the time the staff took her to the hospital two weeks later, she was close to dying. A team of journalists at The Salt Lake Tribune, KUER and APM Reports worked to bring you this database. The investigation involves a female staff member at On this level, residents get ready to go home and gain additional privileges and freedoms. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 9450 West 2400 South, Cedar City, UT 84721, . Male staff members participated in female students strip searches. Cedar Ridge Academy has a new owner now and a new name as of February, Makana Leadership Academy but reminders of the schools past loom throughout the remote, 109-acre campus that stretches over a large swath of the Uinta Basin. I wasnt allowed to speak for a few months, and I was being restrained every day for stupid stuff.. Police were called 15 times to the Roosevelt campus to investigate sex crimes over a nearly six-year period. If we didnt eat all of the food on our plates at every meal (which was mostly chunks of meat with large pieces of fat attached yes, we were forced to eat the fat too) we had to sign a food refusal form and lost privileges like free time and your weekly phone call. led to the attorney generals office charging him with two felonies. I remember crying a little while telling someone about how I felt once, and the next day, I learned I did not have free time because my daily grade had been too low from crying. The levels are reported to be: It has been reported that the girls contact with their parents is extremely limited. I was demoted from level 4 to level 1 for kissing another girl. Moonridge Academy services younger teens who are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, attachment/adoption issues, emotional Despite determining that Diamond Ranch Academy failed to take Taylor Goodridge to a But it hasnt been. (1) That the wilderness programs, therapeutic boarding schools, residential treatment centers, and bootcamps that comprise the Troubled Teen Industry are almost entirely unregulated, unlicensed, and uninspected by the authorities. While in a facility in North Carolina, he said, the boys participated in group masturbation. Provides auto-suggestions when entering text, Niche requires Javascript to work correctly. I was there for a year and they constantly dropped me and others back to level one for simply stating our mind about the mistreatment/abuse. Utahs Office of Licensing inspects and regulates each facility, and sometimes finds neglect, child abuse or sexual misconduct. FBI cracks down on major ransomware gang. Just really weird. Monitored/restricted communication is one of the WWASP Program Red Flags as it creates an environment in which children are unable to report abuse and neglect. WebFBI cracks down on major ransomware gang. Does anyone have any positive experience to share? This level typically lasts 1-2 weeks. WebThe Tribune created a crowdfunding campaign that raised more than $11,000 from 136 donors. Theyre also keeping a close watch on staff, Pope said, to ensure they dont have favorites or push boundaries. It focuses on the troubled rehabilitation industry in Utah, where youth residential treatment centers are abundant but lack adequate oversight. Have hated that song since. She previously worked as the Clinical Director of Kolob Canyon RTC, another CERTS program. I nearly tried to kill myself dozens of times. I could go on and on with the stories. I learned that the only way to survive is to comply. Together we can make a difference! Please click on the buttons below to link you to our most important resources on the Subreddit Wiki. They made me believe that I deserved all of this. The lawsuit states the boy had a propensity to engage in nonconsensual sexual activity, but the school put him in the same room with other boys anyway. They did not have a solitary confinement room at Moonridge. They tell me I can visit. Staff refuse to let students use the bathrooms until we peed our pants. As someone who had been clean from self-harm for months, this felt like a slap in the face. He was 13 years old then and kept getting into trouble. Male staff members participated in female students strip searches. In 2005, the State of Maine began investigating Moonridge Academy and the quality of its program. That often doesnt happen, she said, if a center worries about its business or the reputation of the accused staff member. ", This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Robb admitted to the crime and was also sent to prison. Sometimes his punishment would be sitting on the floor, legs crossed for hours. It is marketed as a Residential Treatment Center for girls aged 11-14. On the left, youll see an outline of the core rules. An inspectors job is to check whether the facility is in compliance. Minimum Standards for Teenage Healthcare. One girl tried running away and one of the staff members (a very large Samoan guy) sat on her for over an hour in the dirt. And when a problem does arise, Milne said its important for facilities to be transparent. I was told I was fine or to stop exaggerating when I opened up about feeling depressed. (4) That any program that rushes you into making a placement decision by urging you to act now, must be considered suspect. It has been reported that phone calls are closely monitored by staff. She did schoolwork in a different room, but she still ate meals with us. Other states have made similar databases public, but Utah requires people who want to see these records to pay for the cost of redacting private information, such as the names of children receiving treatment. Family therapy usually meant I got blamed for everything that went wrong and my therapist nodded a bunch. Moonridge Academy is closely affiliated with Kolob Canyon RTC, another CERTS program. Safety is when you always have to stand next to a staff member and you are watched in the bathroom. If you are in an urgent situation and need help call 911. It was known about, but completely ignored.. I wish I could give this place negative stars. Throughout the ten months I was there, I was constantly manipulated and borderline emotionally abused by multiple staff members. This is possible because of the donations from more than 100 people. This database includes only critical incidents where the facility is found to have violated a rule. Or does all the power stay in the head therapist hands? Students past traumas were used against them until they cried; they were then physically restrained. I only actually rode a horse there maybe 4 times. No, she was not at risk of hitting someone, and no, she was not hurting herself. Two involved incidents on the campus, they said, but were investigated and did not result in any citations or concerns involving the facility.. Many of the girls there had severe mental illnesses (schizophrenia, bipolar, etc) and the staff were completely untrained in dealing with them. I still have nightmares almost each night of Moonridge Academy. I was once again demoted to level 1 and lost my privileges of privacy in the bathroom and social interaction for several weeks. I feel like I should have been required to eat a smaller amount of food, but that was never considered. Another girl would frequently act out and the staff got sick of it so they told us to gather around her in a circle and chant your parents are never coming to get you at her until she laid on the floor in the fetal position crying. This team is continuing to collaborate on a reporting project on youth residential treatment centers. She previously worked as the Clinical Director of Kolob Canyon RTC, another CERTS program. I want her to come home. Privacy Policy. One of them did not think I showered for long enough in my 12-minute time frame. This is not an exaggeration. I was yelled at for the smallest things, like forgetting to line up my shoes or not asking to enter a room. One of the therapies they promoted was horseback riding. We recommend that no parent send their child to a facility that is run by CERTS., is the Executive Director of Moonridge Academy and, program. It has publicly threatened to pull a license if immediate action isnt taken, like when Cedar Ridge owners had not reported the sexual abuse between two boys in 2016. Reports can come from parents, former staff members and also directly from facilities, which are required to report any time a student is injured or seriously ill. I would rather soil myself than be watched. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Teen treatment registry. The Office of Licensing then determines whether a critical incident occurred, and plans next steps to investigate. If you are a parent thinking of sending your child here, I am begging you not to. Level systems have been used in many confirmedly abusive programs, including the notoriously abusive WWASP programs. Indiana lawmakers are withdrawing a plan that would have given certain state contractors immunity from most lawsuits filed by abuse victims and their families. When a violation is found, the state can take the following actions: Written notification: The office can give written notice that a violation took place with no formal follow-up. Jewly Krause is a manipulative woman who just wants your money, this place will not help you or your child, it will simply cause your child to push their issues deep down. An infraction for not making his bed right. This means, in total, the cost of receiving these records was just under $2,000. Parents who are considering sending their child to Moonridge Academy, please look at different residential or outpatient centers. My first night, I had a panic attack. Let us know if you find something noteworthy in these documents. She was also restrained for saying she did not want to do a chore. They would restrain us before accessing the situation and would use restraining as a punishment. This means, in total, the cost of receiving these records was just under $2,000. It happened again in 2015, when Russell Robb groped two girls, one of whom he was supposed to look after on watch level, an increased supervision because she threatened to run away or harm herself. Moonridge Academy provides a specialized unique learning and healing environment for younger teen gi Moonridge Academy | Cedar City UT As soon as I arrived, I was put on a cocktail of multiple medications at high dosages and because of this, theres full periods of time that I dont even remember. The only good thing about this place is they dont have bars on the windows so you can smash them. Please look elsewhere for your child. She also works at Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy. The only good thing about this place is they dont have bars on the windows so you can smash them. Blatant homophobia was obvious from staff. This level typically lasts 1-6 months. Oakes wasnt the only Cedar Ridge staffer to sexually abuse a child. Any comments about blueFire and/or Moonridge would be appreciated, Scan this QR code to download the app now. It was awful there. The level system is from 1-7, its extremely punitive. While at Moonridge Academy, the residents are forced to adhere to a strict set of rules. Tawny Thomas worked as the Executive Director of Moonridge Academy. Lastly, the level program is cult-like. Find a different boarding school for your daughter. Ava (Yelp), 2019: (SURVIVOR) I was a student here, the staff is extremely out of line. In response to an appeal, the Office of Licensing lowered its estimate to $4,582. Donate to The Salt Lake Tribune today. The Tribune also analyzed police dispatch records for 64 troubled-teen treatment centers and calculated how often police were called on a per-bed rate. WebMoonridge Academy All-girls | Special Program Emphasis Add to Compare (5) 9400 W. 2400 S. Cedar City, UT 84720 (435) 586-9585 7-9 11 Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy Add to Compare (24) 1454 South Campus Drive Cedar City, UT 84720 (435) 867-5555 9-12 31 Frequently Asked Questions How many private schools are located in She currently works as a Lead Therapist at, Like other behavior-modification programs, Moonridge Academy uses a level system consisting of 6 levels. Support investigative reporting like this. I felt suffocated and trapped and hopeless. This level typically lasts 1-6 months. Do yourself a favor. She gave me a Consequence that said I had to have a female staff member watch me in the shower for the next three days to prove I was washing my hair. I can communicate with her privately every wk. The only staff members that treated us well were Gwen, Danny, Karolin (Caroline?). Jalane Christian-Stoker worked as the Clinical Director of Moonridge Academy from 2005 until 2008. The levels are reported to be: It has been reported that the girls' contact with their parents is extremely limited. Offering a hotline or a similar method for kids to report abuse could become standard in Utah. I fought for myself until I was so broken that I had nothing left to fight for. So please for me and every other kid that was hurt by this place, never send your kids here Wilson (Google Reviews), HEAL Program Information Moonridge Academy. I learned that the only way to survive is to comply. This was a difficult chapter in our family history, but we are glad we "bit the bullet" and went through the program instead of waiting and hoping for things to get better on their own. My parents were told I would say it is a bad place. Once a week theres a level ceremony where the staff and students had to sit on the floor and lock arms and sway back and forth while The Reason by Hoobastank played. They wouldnt give me painkillers when I had a sore throat and a fever. She has been at blueFire for 90 days. When a pencil was found in the middle of the room I shared with four other students, all five of us were forced to do school work with crayons. Two weeks after she first started saying she needed a doctor, they took her to the hospital. Im surprised she didnt die. In the past five years, the licensing agency has revoked two licenses neither of which was a youth treatment facility. In response to an appeal, the Office of Licensing lowered its estimate to $4,582. The program was traumatic for her as well." Individual therapy was usually fine, but I could not actually talk about things because my therapist would ask if I needed to be put on safety. Whether thats sexual or not, thats grooming for a ton of issues that are therapeutically completely inappropriate.. They will tell you all students pretend the program is abusive, they will tell you your kid will kill herself without Moonridge. Practice that while your child is in treatment.