Popular on s4story
- Experience Trembling Firsthand with the New AgeMan® Tremor Simulator - 108
- Venardi Zurada LLP Offers Legal Support to Families After Deadly Lake Tahoe Boat Capsizing
- Keepy Uppy™ by Ollyball Wins Prestigious 2025 Influencer Award from Clamour & The Toy Association; Announces Fall 2025 Launch at Target Stores
- Jasmine Farrell Releases New LGBTQ+ Poetry Collection - Rising From the Roots
- Elevated Healing Treatment Centers: Redefining Mental Health Care with Compassionate, Evidence-Based, and Accessible Services
- K2 Integrity's U.S. and EMEA Teams Recognized in Chambers and Partners 2025 Guides
- ASI Accelerates iMIS® Innovation by Acquiring CSI's Product Suite and Expert Team
- Lottery.com Inc. Secures $300 Million in Growth Capital, Confirms Nasdaq Compliance & Acquires UAE Sports Incubator Amid High-Profile Brand Exposure
- Holiday Inn Express North Hollywood Burbank Area Announces Conversion to Hampton Inn North Hollywood
- Anna D. Banks' Street Smart, Money Smart Hits #1 on Amazon Teen & Young Adult New Releases Chart
Similar on s4story
- The Blue Luna Encourages Local Schools to Take Steps to Enhance Safety for Students and Staff
- Josh and Heidi Follow Up the Much Anticipated and Successful Launch of the "Spreading the Good BUZZ" Podcast with a Personal Request
- Stuck Doing Math or Figuring Out Life's Numbers? Calculator.now Makes It Stupidly Simple
- Colbert Packaging Announces WBENC Recognition
- Pyro Marketing Opens New Digital Marketing Company in Saint Petersburg to Power Growth for Fitness and Ecommerce Brands
- Dr. John Salerno of Salerno Wellness Introduces Their New Full Body Capsule for Advanced LED Light Therapy Patient Treatments
- Heartfelt Dreams Foundation Launches Campaign to Build CHD Hospital
- Radarsign Tackles Intersection Safety with Launch of Grid-Free Solar LED Stop Sign
- LIB and Nidec Rejoin Forces for Giant TH-0098 Temperature Humidity Test Chamber
- Deaths Spur Closures, but Troubled Teen Camps Must Be Banned, CCHR Warns
Urgent Reform Demanded to Stop Child Abuse in Youth Behavioral Facilities
S For Story/10661835
Despite decades of investigations, fines, and federal mandates, abuse continues in psychiatric and behavioral institutions for youth. CCHR calls for immediate government action—not another three-year study—before more children are harmed.
LOS ANGELES - s4story -- Amid a surge of reported abuse and deaths in psychiatric and behavioral residential programs for youth, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights International (CCHR) is urging immediate and sweeping federal intervention. CCHR warns that continued inaction by state and federal agencies endangers lives and enables a mental health system where vulnerable children and adolescents are subjected to trauma, neglect, and avoidable harm.
In December 2024, Congress passed the bipartisan Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, calling for a study by the National Academies of Sciences into the state of youth in institutional programs. However, the legislation granted a three-year window to complete the investigation—a delay CCHR deems unconscionable now, given ongoing reports of harm.
"Children are dying. Others are being restrained, secluded, forcibly drugged, or sexually abused," said Jan Eastgate, president of CCHR International. "How many more cases of tragedy must occur before regulators respond with urgency? A three-year timeline is a death sentence for some of these children."
A 2024 peer-reviewed study in Psychiatric Services confirmed that the use of seclusion and mechanical restraints remains widespread in U.S. psychiatric hospitals, despite the documented trauma and risk of death. The study called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and The Joint Commission to implement reforms to end the practice.
A previous New York Times investigation estimated at least 86 deaths in youth behavioral programs from 2000 to 2015, noting that children in these institutions are often subjected to conditions that would be unlawful for prisoners—including isolation, and physical and chemical restraint.[1]
In just the past few weeks, a string of new incidents has surfaced from across the U.S. involving youth facilities, including:
Although multiple federal investigations have led to substantial fines and civil settlements, CCHR asserts these penalties have failed to deter misconduct, patient harm, and deaths. "Financial penalties are clearly not enough. Many of these settlements are treated as the cost of doing business," Eastgate noted. CCHR also emphasizes that current tools used by government agencies—such as consent agreements or Corporate Integrity Agreements (CIAs)—do not work. These measures allow institutions with a history of serious violations to remain operational after promising internal improvements. "Voluntary promises are violated again and again, and children suffer the consequences," Eastgate said. "These agreements create a dangerous illusion of accountability."
More on S For Story
The organization is calling on Congress and the Administration to take such actions as:
In June 2024, a U.S. Senate Finance Committee report into several for-profit youth behavioral hospital chains described the harms children experienced resulted, in part, from financial models that prioritize revenue over safety. The Committee urged "bold intervention" to prevent further tragedies.
Prominent legal professionals agree. KBA attorney Kayla Ferrel Onder stated: "More effective oversight systems need to be in place to protect patients. This includes stricter penalties for facilities found guilty of abuse or fraud. Jail time for executives and significantly larger financial penalties may be necessary to curb misconduct prevalent in the behavioral healthcare industry."[7]
Attorney Tommy James cites horrendous physical abuse and emotional trauma in behavioral residential facilities, stating, "those responsible must be held accountable."[8] Another attorney, Kayla Ferrel Onder, said the abuse is so extensive that it reflected a "systemic failure," which needs to stop.[9]
CCHR maintains an extensive record of documented youth abuse in psychiatric facilities, including seclusion, restraint, sexual assault, and forced drugging. "Children should not be warehoused, abused, or silenced," said Eastgate. "What is happening now is a humanitarian crisis hiding in plain sight."
Quoting lawmakers who have supported the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, Rep. Ro Khanna stated: "The industry has gone unchecked for too long."[10] Senator Tommy Tuberville added: "We need more sunlight… to stop the waste, fraud, and abuse in the system."
"This is not a policy debate—it is a moral imperative," Eastgate concluded.
"We are calling on legislators, prosecutors, and health agencies to act now. No more broken promises. No more promises of avoidable deaths. No more children forgotten in the system."
About CCHR: The government-acclaimed watchdog and award-winning advocacy group was established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and Professor of Psychiatry, Dr. Thomas Szasz.
More on S For Story
Sources:
[1] Alexander Stockton, "Can you punish a child's mental health problems away?" The New York Times, 11 Oct. 2022, www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/10/11/opinion/teen-mental-health-care.html
[2] Jeffery Collins, "Residential treatment school closes in North Carolina after deaths of 2 girls," AP News, 3 June 2025, apnews.com/article/therapy-school-closes-north-carolina-asheville-academy-9854c3ca7cda11cc06f05d9fccef4112
[3] "California watchdog finds for-profit psychiatric hospital abused patients," San Francisco Chronicle, 19 May 2025
[4] "Suit alleges teen repeatedly abused by worker at former youth residential treatment center," Santa Fe New Mexican, 29 May 2025, www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/suit-alleges-teen-repeatedly-abused-by-worker-at-former-youth-residential-treatment-center/article_be37888c-4bbe-41db-bd35-c76f3c8eb6c1.html
[5] "Youth in Vermont custody have been physically restrained hundreds of times in recent years," VT Digger, 22 May 2025, vtdigger.org/2025/05/22/youth-in-vermont-custody-have-been-physically-restrained-hundreds-of-times-in-recent-years/
[6] legiscan.com/MD/text/SB400/id/3232730
[7] kbaattorneys.com/acadia-abuse-behavioral-health-facilities/
[8] Erica Thomas, "Tuskegee youth facility dubbed 'House of Horrors' in latest lawsuit," 1819 News, 27 Aug. 2024, 1819news.com/news/item/tuskegee-youth-facility-dubbed-house-of-horrors-in-latest-lawsuit
[9] "Letter: The alarming pattern of abuse at Acadia Healthcare facilities," Springfield Daily Citizen, 29 May 2025, sgfcitizen.org/voices-opinion/letters/letter-the-alarming-pattern-of-abuse-at-acadia-healthcare-facilities/
[10] www.cchrint.org/2024/12/27/paris-hilton-congress-praised-for-teen-behavioral-treatment-abuse-prevention-and-oversight/ citing khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases/khanna-merkley-cornyn-tuberville-and-carter-joined-paris-hilton-celebrating
In December 2024, Congress passed the bipartisan Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, calling for a study by the National Academies of Sciences into the state of youth in institutional programs. However, the legislation granted a three-year window to complete the investigation—a delay CCHR deems unconscionable now, given ongoing reports of harm.
"Children are dying. Others are being restrained, secluded, forcibly drugged, or sexually abused," said Jan Eastgate, president of CCHR International. "How many more cases of tragedy must occur before regulators respond with urgency? A three-year timeline is a death sentence for some of these children."
A 2024 peer-reviewed study in Psychiatric Services confirmed that the use of seclusion and mechanical restraints remains widespread in U.S. psychiatric hospitals, despite the documented trauma and risk of death. The study called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and The Joint Commission to implement reforms to end the practice.
A previous New York Times investigation estimated at least 86 deaths in youth behavioral programs from 2000 to 2015, noting that children in these institutions are often subjected to conditions that would be unlawful for prisoners—including isolation, and physical and chemical restraint.[1]
In just the past few weeks, a string of new incidents has surfaced from across the U.S. involving youth facilities, including:
- Two girls, aged 12 and 13, died by suicide in May in a North Carolina behavioral treatment facility, forcing its closure.[2]
- Reports of hundreds of prolonged restraint incidents in a single California psychiatric facility within months.[3]
- A teenage boy was repeatedly sexually abused by staff at a New Mexico behavioral facility.[4]
- Seclusion and restraint of children as young as five; Vermont state authorities confirmed over 500 cases.[5]
- New legislation was passed in Maryland restricting the use of physical restraints during youth transport to psych facilities.[6]
Although multiple federal investigations have led to substantial fines and civil settlements, CCHR asserts these penalties have failed to deter misconduct, patient harm, and deaths. "Financial penalties are clearly not enough. Many of these settlements are treated as the cost of doing business," Eastgate noted. CCHR also emphasizes that current tools used by government agencies—such as consent agreements or Corporate Integrity Agreements (CIAs)—do not work. These measures allow institutions with a history of serious violations to remain operational after promising internal improvements. "Voluntary promises are violated again and again, and children suffer the consequences," Eastgate said. "These agreements create a dangerous illusion of accountability."
More on S For Story
- Josh and Heidi Follow Up the Much Anticipated and Successful Launch of the "Spreading the Good BUZZ" Podcast with a Personal Request
- Revolutionary Blockchain Platform Okh Finance Announces Okh Finance(OKKH) Token Launch to Transform Global Asset Leasing Market
- Cover Girl Finalist Teisha Mechetti Questions Legitimacy of Inked Originals Competition, Demands Transparency
- Author Launches The Starlight Bond Website with Movie Licensing Proposal
- Easton & Easton, LLP Files Suit Against The Dwelling Place Anaheim & Vineyard USA Over Abuse Allegations
The organization is calling on Congress and the Administration to take such actions as:
- Accelerate the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act investigation
- Withhold CMS and Medicaid funding from facilities with substantiated abuse records
- Freeze new licenses or bed expansions for companies under investigation
- Establish criminal penalties for executives and staff found complicit in systemic abuse
- Prohibit the use of further Corporate Integrity or improvement agreements for known violators.
In June 2024, a U.S. Senate Finance Committee report into several for-profit youth behavioral hospital chains described the harms children experienced resulted, in part, from financial models that prioritize revenue over safety. The Committee urged "bold intervention" to prevent further tragedies.
Prominent legal professionals agree. KBA attorney Kayla Ferrel Onder stated: "More effective oversight systems need to be in place to protect patients. This includes stricter penalties for facilities found guilty of abuse or fraud. Jail time for executives and significantly larger financial penalties may be necessary to curb misconduct prevalent in the behavioral healthcare industry."[7]
Attorney Tommy James cites horrendous physical abuse and emotional trauma in behavioral residential facilities, stating, "those responsible must be held accountable."[8] Another attorney, Kayla Ferrel Onder, said the abuse is so extensive that it reflected a "systemic failure," which needs to stop.[9]
CCHR maintains an extensive record of documented youth abuse in psychiatric facilities, including seclusion, restraint, sexual assault, and forced drugging. "Children should not be warehoused, abused, or silenced," said Eastgate. "What is happening now is a humanitarian crisis hiding in plain sight."
Quoting lawmakers who have supported the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act, Rep. Ro Khanna stated: "The industry has gone unchecked for too long."[10] Senator Tommy Tuberville added: "We need more sunlight… to stop the waste, fraud, and abuse in the system."
"This is not a policy debate—it is a moral imperative," Eastgate concluded.
"We are calling on legislators, prosecutors, and health agencies to act now. No more broken promises. No more promises of avoidable deaths. No more children forgotten in the system."
About CCHR: The government-acclaimed watchdog and award-winning advocacy group was established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and Professor of Psychiatry, Dr. Thomas Szasz.
More on S For Story
- AI Visibility: The Key to Beating Google's AI Overviews and Regaining Traffic
- Stuck Doing Math or Figuring Out Life's Numbers? Calculator.now Makes It Stupidly Simple
- Colbert Packaging Announces WBENC Recognition
- DivX Empowers Media Enthusiasts with Free Expert Guides for Advanced MP4 Management
- Northport's Family Night Welcomes Local Author and a Tale of Ancient Secrets
Sources:
[1] Alexander Stockton, "Can you punish a child's mental health problems away?" The New York Times, 11 Oct. 2022, www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/10/11/opinion/teen-mental-health-care.html
[2] Jeffery Collins, "Residential treatment school closes in North Carolina after deaths of 2 girls," AP News, 3 June 2025, apnews.com/article/therapy-school-closes-north-carolina-asheville-academy-9854c3ca7cda11cc06f05d9fccef4112
[3] "California watchdog finds for-profit psychiatric hospital abused patients," San Francisco Chronicle, 19 May 2025
[4] "Suit alleges teen repeatedly abused by worker at former youth residential treatment center," Santa Fe New Mexican, 29 May 2025, www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/suit-alleges-teen-repeatedly-abused-by-worker-at-former-youth-residential-treatment-center/article_be37888c-4bbe-41db-bd35-c76f3c8eb6c1.html
[5] "Youth in Vermont custody have been physically restrained hundreds of times in recent years," VT Digger, 22 May 2025, vtdigger.org/2025/05/22/youth-in-vermont-custody-have-been-physically-restrained-hundreds-of-times-in-recent-years/
[6] legiscan.com/MD/text/SB400/id/3232730
[7] kbaattorneys.com/acadia-abuse-behavioral-health-facilities/
[8] Erica Thomas, "Tuskegee youth facility dubbed 'House of Horrors' in latest lawsuit," 1819 News, 27 Aug. 2024, 1819news.com/news/item/tuskegee-youth-facility-dubbed-house-of-horrors-in-latest-lawsuit
[9] "Letter: The alarming pattern of abuse at Acadia Healthcare facilities," Springfield Daily Citizen, 29 May 2025, sgfcitizen.org/voices-opinion/letters/letter-the-alarming-pattern-of-abuse-at-acadia-healthcare-facilities/
[10] www.cchrint.org/2024/12/27/paris-hilton-congress-praised-for-teen-behavioral-treatment-abuse-prevention-and-oversight/ citing khanna.house.gov/media/press-releases/khanna-merkley-cornyn-tuberville-and-carter-joined-paris-hilton-celebrating
Source: Citizens Commission on Human Rights International
Filed Under: Health
0 Comments
Latest on S For Story
- Emmy-Winning Journalist José Martínez to Debut Powerful New Book at New York Mobile Film Festival
- Miami Real Estate Agent Drastically Increases Interest In Homes
- Adostics & Genmega Announce the Introduction of A-POD
- LIB and Nidec Rejoin Forces for Giant TH-0098 Temperature Humidity Test Chamber
- Wordeee Publishes Casting Pros to Know: Reality TV Edition by Asjai Lou
- Digi 995 Audiobooks Officially Released: Fans Can Now Listen to the Complete Trilogy
- Heritage at South Brunswick Offers Immediate Townhome Appointments and Special Mortgage Incentive Fast-Moving Sales
- New Children's Book Helps Kids and Parents Navigate Anxiety Together
- New TSA-Compliant Medication Packing Tool Helps Travelers Avoid Airport Delays and Customs Issues
- Wordeee Publishes Am I a Weed? by Margie Stiles
- NASA Collaborative Agreement for Supply of Thin-Film Solar Tech for Orbital Application to Advance Development of Thin-Film PV Power Beaming: $ASTI
- Sci-Fi Novel from Pittsburgh Author Explores Love, Power, & Humanity in an Age of Artificial People
- Exciting New Era of Sports, Entertainment & Gaming Innovation Spotlighted by Rebrand of Expanding AI Driven, Online Fan Engagement Company: SEGG Media
- Service Ninjas Debuts First-of-Its-Kind "Membership" Platform for Home Service Pros
- The Journey of BECOMING the Soul Alchemist — New Book by Kay Sanders Guides Readers to Deep Inner Transformation
- BIYA Forecasts 2025 Surge with ¥300M ($41.8 M USD) in Revenue and ¥25M Profit from Cloud Based HR Solutions: Baiya Intl. Group (N A S D A Q: BIYA)
- Paul E. Saperstein Co. Announces Geographic Expansion of Auction Services
- New Book by Veteran Entrepreneur Offers 60-Minute Marketing Strategy for First-Time Business Owners
- Wordeee Publishes Rule One By Michael Lucker
- Florida Broker Bent Danholm Featured in the Daily Mail's U.S. Real Estate Coverage