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

[Izzylizzy]

imo:
The dispensing of medications to these children is a huge red flag.
Are staff permitted access to meds and are they also able to give them to a child on an as need basis?
The staff calls the shot?
Does the camp administer their own meds besides those prescribed by the child's home doctor?
Does the camp have a "gold standard" med from the camp doctor/shrink they give to kids when they're freaking out like the nursing homes have "Haldol" that they give to residents who are "agitated?
Drugs may very well be involved in this child's death.



"In the summer of 2019, there were several more deficiencies listed concerning medications given to those staying at the camp. The document said, "Based on observation, record review and interviews the facility failed to implement procedures for the care and safety affecting 1 of 6 audited clients."

It went on to say, "Admissions office was responsible for following up with families to get physicians orders prior to arrival but admitted that didn't always happen."

This particular issue resulted in the possibility of penalties.

"These failures are detrimental to health, safety and welfare of the clients and constitute an imposed Type B rule violation. An administrative penalty of $200.00 per day is imposed for failure to correct within 45th days," the document said.'

WNC camp where juvenile died previously cited by state health department multiple times

The latest citation came in June 2023. All the citations fall under the state health department's Mental Health Licensure and Certification Section.In June 202

wlos.com

 

[Ssschu]

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

Thank you for posting these. The 911 caller not answering questions and then hanging up is really suspect, IMO. He went completely silent as if someone told him to stop talking so he wouldn't say anything incriminating.

 

[Izzylizzy]

The warrant states that the camp staff member JRH said the boy was stiff and cold to the touch when they found him dead.

Well that settles that, eh?

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Trails Carolina - Leading Wilderness Therapy For Teens and Adolescents

Trails Carolina is a wilderness therapy program helping teens and adolescents ages 10-17 who struggle with mental health challenges. Learn more.

web.archive.org

 

[ch_13]

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

Interesting that the PR firm is Lynn. They describe themselves on their website as being associated with the "senior living space":
Lynn Public Relations is an award-winning group of strategic storytellers serving clients across the senior living space, including life plan communities, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, short- and long-term rehabilitation facilities, and in-home care, as well as non-profits and small businesses.

The private equity firm which I believe owns Trails is associated with a bunch of teen recovery and nursing home businesses. The firm in turn seems to be owned by a wealthy family out of Oregon. I do hope someone takes a good look at the other businesses tied to this firm, as I suspect they share a lot of DNA.

As an aside... From what I can tell, the woman who was named as Trails' founder was never actually the owner. The business creation docs show a relationship to the PE firm and family I mentioned above. It's possible she was given a minority stake, but based on the paperwork it seems unlikely she ever had full control of the business.

 

[Mack the Knife]

I’ve been very put off by the camp’s reactions and statements here.

We have not all that many facts about this specific scenario and a lot of general background for the Troubled Teen Industry and possibly Trails Carolina. For a moment, let’s assume the Best Case Scenario:

• Some teens have severe behavioral problems that are not sufficiently served by healthcare, school, or criminal justice systems
• Parents generally want the best for their kids, CJH’s parents included
• Wilderness camps can provide structure and a change of scenery that behooves some Troubled Teens
• Trails Carolina is a wilderness camp that supports Troubled Teens
• Trails Carolina has received statements of deficiency, complaints from alumni, etc. that are all within the acceptable range of normal, like the accepted number of rat droppings in a chocolate bar, and not an indication of something more troubling
• The sleeping conditions that CJH was in were in a good faith effort to support him and keep him safe
• CJH experienced some sort of medical event that resulted in his accidental death
• The other boys in his bunk did not notice anything unusual
• The counselors also did not notice anything unusual when they checked in the morning, perhaps assuming that quiet meant he was asleep, so by the time they found him he had been dead for several hours
• CJH’s pants and underwear were at one point removed for non-nefarious reasons, either by CJH, a counselor, or EMTs
• LE was restricted from accessing the other boys out of an effort to protect them

So even taking all of that, which is not necessarily true but is still possible within known facts, even taking all of that, I still find Trails’s reaction—the statements, the email to the parents—very off. Even if I was a parent whose child had a good experience there, I would not be happy with this. And especially if I was a parent whose child was currently at the camp, I would be deeply concerned. What are they saying to make me confident that this won’t happen to my child? I get the need to protect themselves legally, but they can do that without complaining to scared parents about clout and the media.

As an aside, I fear that in an effort to tiptoe precisely through information in a factual manner, I may accidentally make myself a chronic long-poster.

 

[Izzylizzy]

No, that article does not say the boy’s death is being investigated as a homicide. However, that could be inferred from the link stating this:
“A forensic pathologist told investigators that the death did not appear to be natural, the sheriff’s office said.”

If a death does not appear to be natural, it seems likely it was caused by something (drowning, eating a poisonous mushroom, for instance) or someone (which could be accidental or negligent). A homicide is simply a death caused by another human. Incidentally, homicide is not synonymous with murder, although I’ve seen it mistakenly used that way.

JMO

If it's not a natural death then it becomes as suspicious death until decided it isn't.

We don't know if any foul play was found by the coroner/FBI/ local LE that warranted the removal of the kids for their safety.



The Transylvania County Sheriff's Office is investigating the boy's death as a manslaughter case and has said that according to a forensic pathologist, the death “appeared to not be natural but the manner and cause of death is still pending.”22 hours ago

Officials order all children removed from North Carolina ...​

 

[Izzylizzy]

Interesting that the PR firm is Lynn. They describe themselves on their website as being associated with the "senior living space":
Lynn Public Relations is an award-winning group of strategic storytellers serving clients across the senior living space, including life plan communities, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, short- and long-term rehabilitation facilities, and in-home care, as well as non-profits and small businesses.

The private equity firm which I believe owns Trails is associated with a bunch of teen recovery and nursing home businesses. The firm in turn seems to be owned by a wealthy family out of Oregon. I do hope someone takes a good look at the other businesses tied to this firm, as I suspect they share a lot of DNA.

As an aside... From what I can tell, the woman who was named as Trails' founder was never actually the owner. The business creation docs show a relationship to the PE firm and family I mentioned above. It's possible she was given a minority stake, but based on the paperwork it seems unlikely she ever had full control of the business.

The "storytellers" claimed from the get-go that the boy's death was accidential. (facepalm)

"Lynn Public Relations is an award-winning group of strategic storytellers"



A forensic pathologist told investigators that the death did not appear to be natural, the sheriff's office said. Trails Carolina disputes that characterization, contending that there is no evidence of “criminal conduct or suspicious acts” and that preliminary reports indicate the boy's death was “accidental.”22 hours ago

NC pulls children out of Trails Carolina for their safety​

 

[Izzylizzy]

I’ve been very put off by the camp’s reactions and statements here.

We have not all that many facts about this specific scenario and a lot of general background for the Troubled Teen Industry and possibly Trails Carolina. For a moment, let’s assume the Best Case Scenario:

• Some teens have severe behavioral problems that are not sufficiently served by healthcare, school, or criminal justice systems
• Parents generally want the best for their kids, CJH’s parents included
• Wilderness camps can provide structure and a change of scenery that behooves some Troubled Teens
• Trails Carolina is a wilderness camp that supports Troubled Teens
• Trails Carolina has received statements of deficiency, complaints from alumni, etc. that are all within the acceptable range of normal, like the accepted number of rat droppings in a chocolate bar, and not an indication of something more troubling
• The sleeping conditions that CJH was in were in a good faith effort to support him and keep him safe
• CJH experienced some sort of medical event that resulted in his accidental death
• The other boys in his bunk did not notice anything unusual
• The counselors also did not notice anything unusual when they checked in the morning, perhaps assuming that quiet meant he was asleep, so by the time they found him he had been dead for several hours
• CJH’s pants and underwear were at one point removed for non-nefarious reasons, either by CJH, a counselor, or EMTs
• LE was restricted from accessing the other boys out of an effort to protect them

So even taking all of that, which is not necessarily true but is still possible within known facts, even taking all of that, I still find Trails’s reaction—the statements, the email to the parents—very off. Even if I was a parent whose child had a good experience there, I would not be happy with this. And especially if I was a parent whose child was currently at the camp, I would be deeply concerned. What are they saying to make me confident that this won’t happen to my child? I get the need to protect themselves legally, but they can do that without complaining to scared parents about clout and the media.

As an aside, I fear that in an effort to tiptoe precisely through information in a factual manner, I may accidentally make myself a chronic long-poster.

BBM
The big problem is as a PR firm they're not legally protecting their client at all.
It's an old and transparent ruse... "look over there"

 

[Mack the Knife]

Timeline of the anything I could find a time for, along with who says it:

2/2
Some time after 8 AM - According to the Sheriff's office, CJH arrives at Trails Carolina, transported from New York by two men.

2/3
12:00 AM (estimate) - According to the Sheriff's office, a counselor says that CJH was checked in on. No details as to who or how.
Approximately 12:00-12:30 - According to the Sheriff's office, a counselor says CJH began to experience a panic attack. The counselor and another counselor stood near the wall and watched, and the counselor does not mention if they attempted to assist CJH at this time. The warrant also refers to this as an "anxiety attack," so it's unclear how exactly the counselor characterized this, and if anyone involved can differentiate between an anxiety and a panic attack.
3:00 AM (estimate) - According to the Sheriff's office, a counselor says that CJH was checked in on. No details as to who or how.
6:00 AM (estimate) - According to the Sheriff's office, a counselor says that CJH was checked in on. No details as to who or how.
7:45 AM (estimate) - According to the Sheriff's office, a counselor says that CJH was found dead and was cold and stiff.
After 7:45 AM - According to the Sheriff's office, counselors said they made lifesaving efforts and a CPR mask was found on CJH. This is despite the 911 call stating that CJH was already cold and stiff. Life saving efforts were taken after finding CJH and before Fire arrived, but it's unknown if that happened before or after the 911 call was made (or both)
8:09 AM - According to the Sheriff's office, someone from Trails calls 911 dispatch to report an unresponsive 12 y/o. The caller says "We woke him up he's very cold. We are checking for a pulse. We are trying to resuscitate right now." and ends the call within 3 minutes, not answering the 911 dispatcher's followup questions. The search warrant says that Fire called in Deputies, but this press release says they were called in together based on the 911 call.
Shortly after 9 AM - According to the Sheriff's office, investigative staff (requested by deputies) arrive on scene to process the scene and collect evidence.

2/6
4:18 PM - According to the Sheriff's dept., the search warrant was received/issued. This may also be the time that a 2nd search warrant was received/issued.
5:20 PM - According to the Sheriff's dept., the search warrant was executed.
"Evening" - According to Trails, 4 boys 10-12 (presumably the boys who were in the bunkhouse were detained in the Sheriff's office. Trails says this was illegal and unauthorized.
1 AM - According to trails, the 4 boys 10-12 were released by the Sheriff's office after parents called. Trails alleges the Sheriff's office lied and said the boys were not there.
Unknown time - According to the Sheriff's dept., an autopsy took place and concluded that the death appears to be nonnatural, but a manner has not been identified. Trails says that comments from LE and "public agency personnel" (EMS/Fire?) indicated to them that the death was believed to be accidental and not suspicious.

2/7
12:53 PM - According to the Sheriff's dept., the search warrant was delivered back to the clerk.

2/12
Unknown time - DHHS issues notice to Trails that includes requirements to complete an incident report and cease new admissions.

2/15
After 5 PM - Trails says "DHHS threatened and intimidated parents by demanding parents travel from all over the country to pick up theirchildren or DHHS would take their children into custody"

2/16
Unknown time - DHHS issues Trails a notice to suspend admissions. "Therefore, a Suspension of Admissions is invoked, effective immediately, and prohibits Carolina Trails from admitting any new individuals to the camp or readmitting any former camp participants to Trails Carolina. This Suspension of Admissions shall remain in effect until April 14, 2024"


This article mentions 2 warrants totalling 23 pages, but I've only seen the one. Does anyone know anything about the other warrant? I'm guessing it might not be as publicly released if it relates only to the identification and production of the 4 boys, as this press release might indicate.

 

[Teche]

I don't think those parents had time.

Social Services and the Sheriff's dept called them after 5pm, Thursday night and told the to come pick or their child or they would be in state custody.
I'm going to imagine they were all scrambling to get to the camp before their child wound up as a ward of the state. It takes a court order to remove a child, and there is process very lengthy in order to regain custody. I'd be thinking get to NC before I lose my child. Who knows if the local judge would release the child back to the parents or decide that they're going to keep them in North Carolina custody because they don't like wilderness camps.

Moo

When did the “treatment” program provide the names and contact information? Has that been released?

 

[Teche]

Parents were notified and the Transylvania County Department of Social Services will temporarily take custody of campers, the release says.

Eighteen children were affected, according to Trails Carolina, which lashed out at the state’s action Friday. It called the move “reckless” and accused local law enforcement of bias.

“The children were receiving high-level clinical care for complex mental health diagnoses requiring experienced professionals with full knowledge of critical medications and specialized treatment regimens,” the statement said, adding: “This reckless move by the State denied parents the opportunity to continue to care for their children in the appropriate manner.”

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

It is no more reckless than parents hiring transport companies to surprise transfer a child to this facility.

 

[borndem]

[bbm]

is the last sentence 'The young boy's death is being investigated as a homicide' in the article? it's a paywall for me

Same here...

 

[Teche]

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

I noticed that there was a client who attempted self-harm and the action taken was standing restraint. There were a couple of kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

 

[ch_13]

BBM
The big problem is as a PR firm they're not legally protecting their client at all.
It's an old and transparent ruse... "look over there"

I think they realize they're in a fight for survival, and the most likely outcome is that Trails will be closed for good. The only way to save the business is for the investigation to be discredited. From that perspective, they have little to lose by going scorched earth on the Sheriff's office. There will always be some who are predisposed to take the PR firm's statements at face value.

 

[Izzylizzy]

I think they realize they're in a fight for survival, and the most likely outcome is that Trails will be closed for good. The only way to save the business is for the investigation to be discredited. From that perspective, they have little to lose by going scorched earth on the Sheriff's office. There will always be some who are predisposed to take the PR firm's statements at face value.

As noted on the thread a few days ago when camps like Trails get closed down they turn around and reopen under a new business name, LLC or whatever,

 

[ch_13]

As noted on the thread a few days ago when camps like Trails get closed down they turn around and reopen under a new business name, LLC or whatever,

Quite possible. But it would still be a big loss for them. They would have to rebuild all the name recognition, create a new marketing plan, update google search results, probably hire new management and staff, etc. That will take a lot of time and money, plus they will have a months-long gap in revenue.

 

[RickshawFan]

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

The whole idea of turning camping (i.e. playtime) equipment into a mode of torture is, IMO, indecent.

 

[Lusitana]

Quite possible. But it would still be a big loss for them. They would have to rebuild all the name recognition, create a new marketing plan, update google search results, probably hire new management and staff, etc. That will take a lot of time and money, plus they will have a months-long gap in revenue.

Or they could just open again with a new name and location like they do in Utah all the time.

 

[azure]

A quick Google search confirms that there are all sorts of private pay mental health facilities for children, similar to the luxury rehabs celebrities will go to for "exhaustion" etc. Children get various types of therapy from licensed therapists and clinical teams in an inpatient setting.

I can't imagine it costs too much more than the $700 a day Trails charges to send your child to a private mental health facility, yet many parents still choose to send their kids to these camps instead.

The reason seems to be that the "tough love" model (eg withholding basic needs and frequently, abuse) amounts more to punishment than a private mental health facility does, and these parents want to see their children punished for their behaviors. Punished without, of course, the involvement of law enforcement, which might mar these wealthy kids records (and their wealthy parents' reputations).

It's disgusting, IMO.