long-tailed keyword, 12-Year-Old Dies, Controversial Wellness Camp.
12-Year-Old Boy Found Dead at Youth Wellness Therapy Camp in North Carolina
In a tragic incident that has sparked scrutiny, a 12-year-old boy was found dead at a youth wellness therapy camp in North Carolina on Saturday. The program, known as Trails Carolina, has faced criticism over its practices.
Trails Carolina, a self-described “therapeutic wilderness program,” confirmed the boy’s death in a statement to WLOS-TV in Asheville, North Carolina. According to the statement, staff at the camp called 911 after finding the boy unresponsive and were unable to revive him.
Background of the Deceased
The 12-year-old boy had recently enrolled in the camp, arriving from New York on Friday. He was assigned to a cabin with other campers, along with four adult staff members. However, less than 24 hours after his arrival, the boy’s life was tragically cut short.
An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death. The preliminary examination at the hospital raised suspicions as the boy’s death occurred shortly after his enrollment at the camp.
Authorities have served search warrants at two Trails Carolina camp locations in Transylvania County as part of the ongoing investigation. While camp officials have not fully cooperated, they have placed the staff members assigned to the cabin on leave.
Trails Carolina’s History
This is not the first time that Trails Carolina has faced scrutiny. In 2014, a camper named Alec Lansing, aged 17, was found dead in a stream after going missing for several days. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office determined that he died of hypothermia after running away from the camp.
A former Trails Carolina Wilderness field instructor, Jonathan Hyde, revealed in a 2022 article that he believed many campers did not receive the professional help they needed, contrary to what was promised to parents. Hyde also stated that he felt unprepared to handle the level of care required by the campers.
In 2022, a lawsuit was filed against Trails Carolina by a South Carolina parent, alleging that their 14-year-old daughter was neglected by the camp when she reported being sexually assaulted by another camper. The lawsuit claimed that the camp allowed the abuse to occur and denied the girl’s request to move to another cabin.
Although the case was initially dismissed, the daughter filed the lawsuit again in 2023 under her own name.
Trails Carolina’s Response
Trails Carolina did not respond to HuffPost’s request for comment. However, the camp told WLOS that it is fully cooperating with the investigation and expressed its condolences to the boy’s family and loved ones.
The camp’s website states that Trails Carolina aims to help children and teens struggling with mental health and behavioral issues through its wilderness therapy program.
The investigation into the 12-year-old boy’s death is ongoing, and a report from the chief medical examiner may take several months to be available.
This tragic incident highlights the need for transparency and accountability in youth therapy programs to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.
.
– 12-Year-Old Dies At Controversial Wellness Camp
– Dies At Controversial Wellness Camp.
