The state did not end its relationship with Sequel. Northern Illinois Academy (NIA), located in Aurora, Illinois, is an 87-bed facility that receives funding from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), and the . He was physically restrained by workers putting their full body weight on his torso, leading to a cardiac arrest and his death two days later. Sequel is playing hide the ball, and theyre trying to avoid accountability and responsibility for [what they did] to these children and our clients, said Tommy James, an attorney in Birmingham, Alabama, who has three suits pending against Sequel facilities now controlled by Vivant. It's like this many-headed Hydra. The level of abuse is staggering and very disturbing. To learn more about how our law firm helps the injured, check out our Frequently Asked Questions Page. Children at Sequels other facilities in Alabama Montgomery, Owens Cross Roads and Tuskegee also had stories to tell. Patricia took photos during a visit showing Hunter, a thin, slight child, sitting on a couch at the facility in a Spider-Man T-shirt. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals . Ohio announced recently that it was forcing the Sequel Pomegranate location to relinquish its license to operate the treatment facility. Earlier that year, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare wrote a scathing report accusing the treatment center of significant failure in staff oversight and training resulting in over 100 incidents of aberrant sexual behavior by five children over at least three months, and possibly as far back as seven months.. "My client lived a house of horrors," Tommy James said. No information will be shared unless you, as a client, first approve. Sequel settled a lawsuit from Fredrick's family in December. He named his new business Sequel because it was his second foray into the industry. This rating has decreased by -5% over the last 12 months. Multiple state departments have urged their respective states to cut ties with Sequel Youth and Family Services while some states have recently signed contracts, one in Alabama worth almost $13 million. Visit our website or call us toll-free in the United States at 800-295-3959 to find local attorneys in you state who may assist you with your claim against Sequel. 5. Sequel Confronts More Abuse Allegations amid Concerns about Its Finances. You may be eligible to file a Tepezza Lawsuit if you or a loved one took Tepezza and subsequently suffered permanent hearing loss or tinnitus. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. We both were at our very bottom, Tristan said. For more information about potential legal action, you can contact an experienced Sequel abuse lawyer at TorHoerman Law for a free, no-obligation case consultation. Ask a question about working or interviewing at Sequel Youth and Family Services. Jun 27, 2019, 15:09 ET. Many of Those Kids Were Abused There. One of the children placed at Courtland in early 2018 was a 15-year-old boy named Hunter, a former foster child with post-traumatic stress disorder whod been abused. We encourage the following groups of people to step forward in confidence: An NBC News investigation sorted through more than 10,000 pages and records from 14 states, and interviews with former Sequel residents and parents showing how Sequel became one of the largest behavioral health youth facilities in the United States. Sequel Youth & Family Services is now in the national spotlight after NBC Nightly News ran an investigative report on the company Wednesday night. Records show that the problems at Sequel facilities go beyond Alabama. The facility, which Sequel operated under a contract with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, shut down the following month. Iowa's Department of Corrections rents buildings and land to its owner, Sequel Youth and Family Services. Most of the former Sequel treatment centers that remain open are now controlled by Vivant Behavioral Healthcare, which was founded in 2021 by Jay Ripley, one of three people who founded Sequel in 1999. In response to questions about allegations of abuse and negligence at Sequel facilities, Altamont said in a statement: We conducted significant due diligence prior to our initial investment and are confident that Sequel Youth and Family Services is one of the best operators in the industry. ET): A previous version of this article misstated the timeframe of Altamonts recent investments in Sequel. What Caused Camp Lejeune Water Contamination? If you have been exposed to Paraquat and diagnosed with Parkinsons disease may be eligible to pursue compensation, and entitled to participate in the paraquat lawsuit. Three employees of the facility were charged criminally in . A concrete slab at Sequel's Courtland facility where thin mattresses are placed for children to sleep. An Altamont press release said Ripley would "remain involved with the business as chairman of the board through its next phases of growth." The lawsuit states the boy "had a propensity to engage in . Sequel Youth and Family Services was founded in the late 1990s by former employees of Youth Services International. 1. See Monitoring Report for Sequel Youth and Family Services of Courtland, Ala. Disabilities Advoc. Though their marketing and public statements espouse an aura of care and reverence for the well-being and progression of the residents they house, their company has been named in lawsuits that allege rampant physical, sexual, and mental/verbal abuse. The company kept growing by taking over other youth facilities and programs, fueled by investments from a handful of private equity firms. Youth Counselor Supervisor (Former Employee) - Courtland, AL - August 17, 2022. Washington, California, Oregon and Minnesota stopped sending kids to the companys treatment centers. The young couple are expecting their first child and trying to build a new life for themselves on Alabamas Gulf Coast, working at Lauries familys carpet business. KALAMAZOO, Mich. The family attorney for Cornelius Fredericks's estate fought to enter new evidence in the on-going civil lawsuit against Lakeside Academy and Sequel Youth Family Services, but . The State of Iowas placing some of these young people in this unrestricted environment is frankly absurd.. He said the attorney for the Sequel Youth Services of Michigan has refused to provide the Fredericks family the video of the incident that resulted in the teen's death. The most common issue reported at youth residential treatment facilities is physical abuse, either at the hands of employees or other residents. Alamo Drafthouse revealed it is selling itself as the dine-in cinema chain filed for bankruptcy on Wednesday -- and one of its new co-owners is a private-equity firm that has been engulfed in a . The company has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in government funding and tens of millions more from private equity firms to expand to new locations, while deploying a sophisticated marketing strategy to convince state officials to send more children, despite government inspections flagging violations at Sequel locations in at least nine states, the records show. Learn more about hospital sexual abuse lawsuits from our team of attorneys. 38% of employees would recommend working at Sequel Youth & Family Services to a friend and 28% have a positive outlook for the business. Sequel Youth and Family Services Lawsuit: Reports of Abuse, Independent Fundamental Baptist Resources, Disclaimer / Terms Of Service & Privacy Policy, 24/7 support with a caring legal staff dedicated to protecting your confidentiality, employees or "whistleblowers" of the facilities, Multiple children report being slammed to the ground and held facedown, One boy described his head being caught on a nail in the wall during a violent restraint, Reports of being called names, threatened, and comments such as "you gonna go to jail", Report of being in solitary confinement for 72 hours, with no access to a bathroom, Report of lack of access to medical treatment, dental treatment or eye care, Report of lack of access to clean drinking water, Lack of education, school work and career training, Filthy conditions and hazardous living conditions, Residents in inappropriate restraints without justification, and even the death of one resident at a Michigan facility. CORRECTION (Dec. 16, 2020, 5:17 p.m. 3. If you or a loved one suffered harm while in a Sequel facility in Alabama or in another state, you should promptly seek the advice of an Alabama lawyer, or a lawyer in your state, who may investigate your Sequel claim for you and represent you or your loved one in a lawsuit against Sequel, if appropriate. Sequel Youth and Family Services, which operates numerous youth treatment and residential facilities in several states. Here's everything you need to know about "The Grinch" sequel, plus the best books your kid can check out now. The closure was voluntary, but it came at the end of a difficult period for the program. Youth Residential Treatment Facility Abuse Lawsuit. We are passionate about what we do and delight in providing the individuals we are privileged to serve and instill permanent, positive change and propel them toward their best and full potential. After Cornelius death, Sequel was forced to shut down facilities in 18 states and earmarked for further criminal investigations and civil lawsuits. It also ran outpatient programs in a handful of others. The advocacy organizations monitors interviewed about 100 children, some as young as 12, and documented their findings in a report this summer. Clockwise from top, the latest operations to close: Mountain Home Academy in Idaho, Forest Ridge Youth Services in Iowa, Pompano Youth Treatment Center in Florida. The lawsuit alleges that Pike was placed in isolation as punishment, sometimes for days, during which he had no access to food and water and was forced to urinate in the corner of the segregation room. All rights reserved. Her family couldnt afford private care options that cost up to $4,000 a month, but social workers determined Lauries needs were so great that she qualified for state care. But the marketing push could not overcome concerns several states had after Cornelius Fredericks death this year. Tommy James, an attorney representing the boy identified only as Hunter C., said his client lived at Sequel TSI of Courtland in 2018 and 2019, where . Laurie Broadrick, 19, arrived at Owens Cross Roads, a residential treatment facility for girls in northeast Alabama, in 2016. Michigans governor ordered state agencies in June to never do business with Sequel. Sequel Tuskegee is a mental health treatment facility in Macon County where boys ages 12 to 18 receive therapeutic intervention after being adjudicated by the court. The company cares for over 9,000 clients across the United States, including foster children, children in the state juvenile justice system, and children whose parents are unable to handle their behavior. Falcon Ridge Academy, where these crimes occurred, is meant to house teenage girls with behavioral issues usually resulting from trauma. Their team of personal injury lawyers are experienced, personable, and well versed in a range of litigation areas. That lawsuit alleged that Sequel engages in a pattern and practice of using violent force against children and that children at Sequel facilities are subjected to unapproved and painful restraint techniques, long term seclusion/isolation and physical abuse (Staff refuses to intervene during fights and often encourages these fights. Parents, guardians, and the state expect these children to have positive peer culture, get back on track with school, and have intensive therapy. Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Emotional & Psychological AbuseFebruary 22, 2022Personal Injury Sequel Youth and Family Services Abuse LawsuitSequel Youth and Family Services is the most notable operator of youth residential treatment facilities in the United States, and reportedly operates up to 80%. A National Alliance Of Sexual Abuse Lawyers, Proud Members Of The Following Trusted Organizations. Since 2019, 10 Investigates has found at least a half dozen facilities operated by Sequel Youth Family Services that have either closed or faced other sanctions like having their admissions . You can make money in this business if you control staffing, said Ripley, who at the time made $104,167 per month from Sequel as chairman, according to a financial disclosure. Very nice people! Hunter is now receiving psychiatric treatment at a hospital, she said. Rappleyeis a reporter with the Investigative Unit at NBC News, with a focus on criminal justice, social issues and the environment. Tristan, now 18, was placed into foster care on his 12th birthday and bounced between group homes until 2018, when he landed at Tuskegee, an intensive psychiatric treatment facility. 2.6. At that point, I was so depressed I didnt know what to do, Laurie said. That means sending out marketing agents to get more states to send children to its facilities. Tevin did not feel safe at Sequel Tuskegee. KALAMAZOO, MI -- A federal lawsuit filed on behalf of the family of Cornelius Fredricks, the 16-year-old who died after being restrained at a Kalamazoo youth facility, seeks more than $50 million. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Sequel Youth & Family Services: Second Lawsuit Settled in Death of Teen at Sequel Lakeside Facility January 12, 2022. You can also sue facility staff members who are no longer working for Sequel. The lawsuit filed Tuesday in Lawrence County Circuit Court claims Sequel TSI of Alabama has a history of staff physically abusing children at its facilities, encouraging fights among children and . The company is more dysfunctional than the clients they try to serve. Once the child has an accident they are then humiliated by staff members in front of the other children and made to sit in their urine or feces., Local police, the employee told Landers, called Courtland a death trap., Landers referred questions to the Department of Human Resources. She said she could not speak in detail about the companys finances, but argued that Altamonts support including nearly $40 million invested over the past three years has allowed Sequel to provide extra training for its employees, upgrade infrastructure and install additional security cameras at its facilities. No information shared in consultations is shared unless first approved by our clients. The report included photographic proof of the Dickensian conditions that the states most vulnerable children were forced to live in: broken doors, missing floor tiles, blood smeared on the walls and thin mattresses laid on top of concrete platforms. Attorneys at TorHoerman Law have first-hand experience with these sorts of facilities and can help you gain justice and compensation. In 2017 Sequel operated 35 residential treatment centers in 16 states. Sequel is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama and owns a nationwide network of over 40 facilities in more than 15 states, including residential treatment centers, group homes, special schools, and community-based programs. When Tristan was 16, he tried to run away, and when he was caught, he said, Sequel employees put him in solitary confinement as a punishment. Tevins two months in Sequel Tuskegee would be a house of horrors. Those treatment programs were also shut down in recent years. The Team Leader (Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic) CCBHC is a part of the managementSee this and similar jobs on LinkedIn. Since then, 17 of those centers . Instead, it responded with a written statement saying, Jay Ripley and his family formed Vivant with the goal to help youth and adult consumers of behavioral health services and that the company was committed to providing ethical and quality treatment services to its clients and their families and communities.. Tyler Kingkade is a national reporter for NBC News, based in Los Angeles. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. In an article from APM Reports analyzing Riverside Academy in Kansas, a former Sequel operation, it was found that: In the four years before it closed, the facility had been cited 38 times by Kansas officials for problems including excessive force by staff, poor supervision, under-qualified medical personnel, neglect and bullying by residents, according to state licensing records.. Sequel declined to comment on Lauries and Tristans cases. You may be eligible to file a Tylenol Autism ADHD Lawsuit / Acetaminophen Autism ADHD Claim if you or a loved one used Tylenol and/ or Acetaminophen during pregnancy, and your child was subsequently diagnosed with ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder. With the goal of continuous improvement and our support, the company has consistently invested in quality and safety initiatives and in its staff to raise the bar and drive positive outcomes for thousands of individuals trusted to its care.. Sequel Youth and Family Services owns Falcon Ridge Ranch, the Utah center with the highest rate of reported sex crimes. The same facility will reopen under a new name with new services while an attorney prepares to file another lawsuit against the facility. Sequel Youth and Family Services, the company that runs Lakeside (and is also a named defendant in the lawsuit), operates at least 55 other facilities from Arizona to Maine. Sequel Youth and Family Services is the most notable operator of youth residential treatment facilities in the United States, and reportedly operates up to 80% of these establishments. Last year, Tennessee, which had paid Sequel up to $608 a day per child, suspended admissions to Kingston and the states Medicaid agency terminated its contract with Sequel. For 72 hours, staff members left him in a small room outfitted with a thin mattress and a camera on the ceiling, he said. And Sequels Capital Academy in New Jersey is now controlled by a local company called Willow Grove LLC. Attorney for Cornelius Fredericks Files Civil Lawsuit against Youth Facility Where He Died. Children also reported being slapped and choked by staff members. Neither side disclosed the terms of the settlement. TorHoerman Law was responsible for handling a medical case for our family. Sequel Youth and Family Services is a private for-profit operator of behavioral healthcare facilities for children and youth in the United States. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. He watched through a window as children made their way to class. In recent years, lawyers and child advocates have surfaced allegations of abuse of children . Story continues. Many states have reportedly revoked contracts with Sequel (but not Alabama). We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. 2, 2022 at 8:08 PM PDT. State Pulling All Students in Its Care from Northern Illinois Academy Following Reports of Abuse, 16 Diseases & Symptoms Of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination, Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit Payout & Settlements, Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Settlement Amounts, Hair Straightener Endometrial Cancer Lawsuit, Hair Straightening Cancer Lawsuit Settlement Amounts, Projected Paraquat Lawsuit Settlement Amounts. For children who qualify, Medicaid reimburses Sequel for medical and mental health treatment. Investigation reveals appalling conditions at for-profit Alabama youth home, Michigan facility 'lost all control' of children before staff fatally restrained teen, police say, 'They told me it was going to be a good place': Allegations of abuse at home for at-risk kids, Loosening the grip of restraint: Investigating allegations of abuse at youth homes. University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business, according to Kansas City public radio station KCUR. Those close relationships come in handy when the company faces scrutiny. A typical bedroom at Sequel's Courtland facility. Since then, 17 of those centers have closed. Vivant is using the change of ownership to fight litigation against the treatment centers formerly owned by Sequel. On multiple occasions later in 2019, when Oregon state Sen. Sara Gelser emailed state officials demanding information about oversight of Sequel programs, government agents promptly forwarded the messages to Sequel employees for help responding. You think you're making progress, and then it just comes back stronger, Gelser said. Contact us today to see if you qualify for the Paraquat Parkinsons Disease Lawsuit! In a statement, Sparkman wrote that the agency investigates allegations and that subsequent investigation records are confidential based on Alabama law.. According to reporting, Alabama pays Sequel about $330 per day to house each child and has paid Sequel in excess of $30 million since 2018. Enter your email below to receive notifications of new stories. Turn to us when you dont know where to turn. Steve and the entire staff were friendly and professional. An SEC filing that year pegged Sequels value at an estimated $421 million. If you or a loved one took Elmiron and subsequently suffered vision loss, blindness, or any other eye injury linked to the prescription drug. These sorts of facilities and can help you gain justice and compensation the lawsuit states the &., 19, arrived at Owens Cross Roads and Tuskegee also had stories tell... About how our law firm helps the injured, check out our Frequently Asked Page. And Family Services: second lawsuit settled in death of Teen at Sequel 's Courtland where. More dysfunctional than the clients they try to serve based on Alabama law in Sequel! Of children comes back stronger, Gelser said choked by staff members who are no longer for! 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