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Document Library N-Z
Welcome to page 2 of our document library. This page contains survivor statements, court documents, news articles, photos, etc.
pertaining to OPEN facilities with names beginning with letters "N" through "Z".
Information regarding closed facilities is now located on our archives page.
Information relating to a specific person may be listed under the name of the facility he or she was involved with.
Many of our documents are PDF files and require the Adobe Acrobat Reader. This link will take you to the Adobe download page: Get Adobe Acrobat Now!
Larger documents may take a few minutes to download.
These "quick links" will take you to the documents you are interested in:
New Beginnings Rebekah Home - Florida
New Beginnings Rebekah Home is a Christian boarding school located in Pace, Florida.
Faye Cameron is a Director at the facility.
In 1999, Faye Cameron was banned from ever working at or being present at ANY juvenile facility in Texas after authorities confirmed that she had duct-taped the wrists of a girl, then locked her in a room.
New Beginnings Rebekah Home is currently accredited by FACCCA (Florida Association of Christian Child Caring Agencies).
For complete information regarding FACCCA, please visit our FACCCA page.
Oaks Treatment Center
Oaks Treatment Center is in Austin, Texas.
ISAC has received complaints of ongoing emotional, verbal, and physical abuse at the facility.
We have also received complaints of unsanitary conditions at the facility, including rats, roaches and blood being on the floor for days at a time.
In June 2003, former staff member Edward Johnson, 19, was sentenced to 5 years in prison after pleading guilty to indecency with a child.
In a civil suit against Oaks Treatment Center, the child's family along with the family of another child, accuse Johnson of raping their daughters at the facility.
Oaks is accused of negligence in appointing the 19 year-old to supervise the shower and dorm facilities for girls.
Until March of 2003, Oaks Treatment Center was part of the Brown Schools network of juvenile treatment facilities.
Travis Parker
In April 2005, Travis Parker died after being restrained at Appalachian Wilderness Camp in Cleveland, Georgia.
Travis was 13 years old.
Travis was held in a face-down restraint by 3 staff members for approximately 90 minutes.
During the restraint, Travis complained of breathing problems and asked for his asthma rescue inhaler.
Staff members refused.
Staff members finally realized something was wrong after Travis went limp and stopped breathing.
According to the autopsy, Travis' heart stopped during the restraint.
His death was ruled a homicide.
The staff members involved have since been charged with murder.
The director of the facility was fired after refusing to take a lie-detector test.
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Pathway Family Center
Pathway Family Center currently has drug treatment facilities in Michigan and Indiana.
The Pathway programs are direct descendants of Straight, Inc.
Straight, Inc. is considered to be one of the most abusive programs in United States history and
has been classified as a cult.
The director of both facilities was Terry Nissley. Her daughter is reported to be a graduate of Straight, Inc.- Detroit.
The after-care coordinator at the Indiana facility is reported to be a Straight, Inc. graduate as well.
A relative of Ambassador Mel Sembler - the founder of Straight, Inc. - was a client at Pathway and ISAC has received reports
that the child was allowed to fly to Florida for the weekends.
Other children in the facility are not offered such privileges.
Former clients have told ISAC that Mel and Betty Sembler were named on the "host home list" even though they live in Florida and Pathway is located in
Michgan and Indiana.
According to survivors, the program is still very much like Straight, Inc.
First phase clients aren't allowed to wear shoes in the building.
One survivor has reported being forced to wear wet socks
and pants all day after a toilet overflowed in the facility.
He requested permission to change his soiled clothing, and was refused.
An investigation by ISAC revealed that Pathway was placing children in host/foster homes even though they are not licensed by the state to do so.
As a result of our investigation and subsequent report, Pathway Family Center was placed on probation by the Council on Accreditation (COA).
In March 2006, Pathway Family Center acquired control of Kids Helping Kids.
Kids Helping Kids was formerly known as Straight, Inc., Cincinnati.
Click here for more information about Straight, Inc.
Pillars of Hope
Pillars of Hope was formerly called Dundee Ranch Academy.
Dundee Ranch Academy operated in Costa Rica until May, 2003.
The facility was forced to close after officials found evidence of child abuse.
The facility was one of several operating according to the
guidelines of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) and affiliated with Teen Help.
Owner Narvin Lichfield is the brother of Robert Lichfield, founder and principal financial backer of WWASPS.
The property is still owned by Narvin Lichfield and is now the location of Pillars of Hope.
The facility claims to accept only legal adults, but is advertised on several web sites that promote WWASPS facilities.
Posts have also been made to at least one of the parent bulletin boards requesting that "upper level" students transfer
to Pilllars of Hope.
Please see our main WWASPS page for more information regarding WWASPS and Teen Help.
Pine View Academy - Mississippi
Pine View Academy is located in Lucedale, Mississippi.
The facility operated for many years as Bethel Boys Home, then Bethel Boys Academy, but changed its name to Eagle Point Christian Academy in an attempt to distance itself from allegations of child abuse and neglect.
Shortly before the name change, Eagle Point Christian Academy/Bethel Boys became part of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS).
The facility is currently named in a civil suit alleging criminal acts amounting to torture.
Children desperate to leave the facility initiated a riot in April 2005.
Complete information, including court records and photos, is located on our Pine View Academy page.
Provo Canyon School
Despite it's name, Provo Canyon School is actually a locked down mental health facility in Provo, Utah.
It has been the source of several disturbing complaints alleging physical abuse, forced drugging, and emotional cruelty.
P.U.R.E., Inc.
P.U.R.E., Inc. (Parents Universal Resource Experts), is based in Florida.
The owner is Sue Scheff.
Scheff's child was a "student" at a WWASPS (World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools) facility
and during that time, Scheff was reportedly the most successful referrer they had ever had.
Scheff later became a vocal critic of the schools and began her own referral agency, P.U.R.E., Inc.
Scheff is not certified as an educational consultant.
Despite a criminal investigation into abuse at Whitmore Academy, Scheff continued to refer children to the facility.
Even though the investigation has resulted in 7 counts of child abuse and hazing against owner Cheryl Sudweeks,
Scheff continues to support Whitmore Academy and has been critical of those making the allegations of abuse.
For more information, please see our Whitmore Academy section.
Melvin Sembler, Founder - Straight, Inc.
Melvin Sembler is one of the founding members of Straight, Inc.
Another company he founded, Sembler Co., is considered to be the top land developer in Florida.
Sembler is also our current Ambassador to Italy and long-time friend and financial contributor to the Bush Family.
He and his wife Betty still have considerable influence over the nation's drug policies.
Please see our documents regarding Straight, Inc. for more information.
Spring Creek Lodge Academy
Spring Creek Lodge Academy is located in Thompson Falls, Montana.
It is one of several facilities operating according to the
guidelines of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) and affiliated with Teen Help.
Owner/Director Cameron Pullan began working for Robert Lichfield in 1991/1992 at WWASPS flagship program, Cross Creek Manor.
Pullan then worked for Lichfield at Brightway Adolescent Hospital before opening Spring Creek Lodge Academy.
Dan Peart, owner of Majestic Ranch Academy and brother-in-law of Robert Lichfield, is one of two Vice Presidents of Spring Creek Lodge.
Peart's wife Donna is the other.
Spring Creek Lodge received at least 40 children from Casa by the Sea when the facility was closed by Mexican Authorities in September, 2004.
As a result, the facility was reportedly overcrowded and understaffed.
The following month, a 16 year old girl committed suicide at the facility.
Information obtained by ISAC indicates that staff members "missed" the child during a head-count.
She was later discovered in a bathroom, hanging from her own shirt.
At last report, there were over 520 children at Spring Creek Lodge.
The facility reportedly has many staff members who lack even a high school diploma and recent complaints indicate that the facility does not have a licensed nurse on staff.
Former students have complained of ritual abuse, sexual abuse, brutal and unwarranted physical restraint, humiliation, and the use of excessive isolation.
According to former students, isolation takes place in a small, run-down building called the "Hobbit."
Marketing materials claim that Spring Creek Lodge Academy has been in operation for "20 years."
While this may be technically true, the facility has only been used to house children since the late 1990's.
Prior to that, the property was a hunting lodge.
Spring Creek Lodge is currently being sued by at least 2 families.
Anyone with concerns about a specific child at Spring Creek Lodge is encouraged to call the Montana Child Abuse Hotline at 866-820-5437.
Please see our main WWASPS page for more information regarding WWASPS and Teen Help.
Information about Brightway Adolescent Hospital, as well as other closed WWASPS facilities, is located on our Archives page.
Substance Abuse and Family Education (SAFE, Inc.)
SAFE, Inc. is a drug treatment facility in Orlando, Florida.
It was previously the Orlando branch of Straight, Inc.
Straight, Inc. is considered to be one of the most abusive programs in United States history and
has been classified as a cult.
For complete information, please visit our main SAFE page.
Click here for more information about Straight, Inc.
Summit School - New York
The Summit School is located in Nyack, New York.
The facility accepts children in state custody as well as those placed by parents.
Summit Quest Academy - Pennsylvania
Summit Quest Academy is located in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.
In February 2006, 16 year-old Giovanni Aletriz died after being restrained at the facility.
The coroner ruled that Giovanni had an enlarged heart and died from "natural" causes.
However, the state Department of Public Welfare placed Summit Quest on a six-month provisional license after an investigation revealed significant health and safety concerns for the children at the facility.
Just 2 months earlier, in December 2005, 17 year-old James White died at Summit Quest.
The coroner also ruled that James had an enlarged heart and died from "natural" causes.
Teen Help/World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools
WWASPS is an association of boarding facilities in the US and abroad.
Teen Help is the marketing partner for the various facilities.
Several facilities have closed following investigations into abuse.
The others are/have been the subjects of numerous complaints of abuse, state investigations, and lawsuits.
Please visit our main WWASPS page for much more information including a complete list of
closed and open facilities, reports, videos, and news articles.
Thayer Learning Center/TLC Boot Camp
Thayer Learning Center is located in Kidder, Missouri.
In November 2004, 15 year-old Roberto Reyes died at the facility after showing signs of severe illness for several days.
State investigators determined that Roberto likely would have recovered from the illness, had he received medical attention.
His death is being blamed on a spider bite.
Roberto's parents have sued Thayer Learning Center and its owner for wrongful death.
John Bundy is thought to be a former employee of Teen Help/WWASPS (World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools).
Willa Bundy is the former owner/director of Linden House, a WWASPS-affiliated boarding school specifically for pregnant teens that is no longer operating.
Complete information, including legal documents and news articles, is available on our Thayer Learning Center Page.
Click here for more information about WWASPS.
Tranquility Bay
Tranquility Bay is a boarding facility in Jamaica.
It is one of several facilities operating according to the
guidelines of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) and affiliated with Teen Help.
Students who do not comply with the rules of the other WWASPS facilities are transferred to Tranquility Bay.
Jay Kay, Director of Tranquility Bay, is the son of Ken Kay - current President of WWASPS.
Tranquility Bay has been the source of the most complaints of physical abuse received by ISAC.
Complete information, including photos, is available on our Tranquility Bay page.
Click here for more information about WWASPS.
Turning Point Family Care
Turning Point Family Care is located in Kanab, Utah.
The facility also goes by the name Turning Point at the Junction.
Lighthouse Ministries/Victory Christian Academy/Genesis Ministries
Lighthouse Ministries of North West Florida is a locked-down facility for girls in Jay, Florida.
It's previous name was Victory Christian Academy/Genesis Ministries.
The owner of the facility, Brother Michael Palmer, was a long-time associate of Lester Roloff.
Roloff gained notoriaty in the 70's for paddling pregnant teens in his care and for declaring that he would die before he submitted to state licensing of his programs for wayward juveniles.
Victory Christian Academy used to be located in California but Palmer and his wife moved the facility to Florida after a California judge
ordered the facility to close and banned Palmer and his wife Patty from EVER working at another unlicensed facility in the state.
At the time, Palmer was on probation after being convicted of operating a community care facility without a license.
That facility was Victory Christian Academy.
Palmer also owned Genesis by the Sea, located in Mexico.
Mexican authorities raided Genesis by the Sea on September 10, 2004 after finding evidence of abuse, neglect and a "punishment cell."
Officials gave the program 48 hours to remove all children from the facility.
Several students and many of the staff members have been moved to Victory Christian Academy.
A former student has accused Michael Palmer of rape and he is reportedly "not allowed" to be alone with any
of the girls in his care.
Victory Christian Academy is presently accredited by FACCCA (Florida Association of Christian Child Caring Agencies).
The current Vice President of FACCCA is Michael Palmer.
For more information regarding FACCCA, please visit our FACCCA page.
Michael Palmer's son and son-in-law are both deputies for the local sheriff's department.
Michael Palmer's son reportedly transported students to Genesis by the Sea.
Palmer was listed on the Board of Directors for Palm Lane Baptist Academy, which closed earlier this year after years of
allegations of abuse against the school and its sister-school, Mountain Park Baptist Academy.
Mountain Park closed as well and information obtained by ISAC indicates that employees of Mountain Park
are now employed at Victory.
For complete information, including news articles and video, please visit our Victory Christian Academy page
For more information regarding Palm Lane and Mountain Park Academies, please see our archives page.
Whitmore Academy is located in Nephi, Utah.
The facility is owned and operated by Mark and Cheryl Sudweeks.
On June 10, 2005, Cheryl Sudweeks was formally charged with 5 counts of child abuse and 2 counts of hazing.
An investigation into possible child abuse at Whitmore Academy began in November 2004 after a student reported being beaten at the facility.
The facility is still the subject of a criminal investigation and is no longer licensed as a treatment center.
State officials have stated publicly that they believe Whitmore is still operating as a therapeutic facility, but claiming to be a boarding school.
In January 2005, a former student posted to an internet message board, describing her personal experience at the facility.
The former student alleged that she was physically and emotionally abused by other students at the direction of Cheryl Sudweeks.
The former student further alleged that she was verbally abused and physically assaulted by Cheryl Sudweeks.
The former student has since received written threats of physical violence from persons claiming to be current and/or former students
of Whitmore Academy.
On February 18, 2005, Mark Sudweeks filed against the student in small claims court.
According to the documents obtained by ISAC, Sudweeks is requesting a monetary award for feeding and boarding a horse that belonged to the student, even though
the horse was reportedly used by Whitmore as part of the facility's "equine therapy" program.
In 2002, 29 starving horses belonging to Mark Sudweeks were discovered on property he owned in Canada.
In a landmark case by the SPCA, Sudweeks became the first person to be banned from ever owning animals in British Columbia.
In 2001, the Sudweeks were reportedly ordered to leave Mexico after authorities determined they were illegally operating a treatment facility.
Additional Comments from the Director of ISAC, posted on February 16, 2005:
In a telephone conversation on Friday, February 11, 2005 with ISAC Director Shelby Earnshaw, Mark Sudweeks claimed that Joyce Harris "dragged her daughter out [of Whitmore Academy] by the hair."
In the days following, ISAC became aware of statements reportedly made by another interested party who claimed to have a copy of the incident report filed by the Nephi City Police Officer who accompanied Joyce Harris to Whitmore Academy.
Along with this claim, this third person also reportedly said that the incident report stated that Mrs. Harris had dragged her daughter by the hair.
This person also reportedly stated that the police officers investigating the case do not believe Mrs. Harris.
Because ISAC is committed to reporting FACTUAL INFORMATION, Director Shelby Earnshaw spoke directly to the investigator in charge of the case on Tuesday, February 15, 2005.
Among other things, the investigator stated that he believes Joyce Harris is "very credible."
During that conversation, ISAC also learned that due to a clerical error, the incident report in question had never been entered into the computer and DID NOT EXIST prior to ISAC's phone call to the Nephi City Police on February 15, 2005.
Therefore, it would not be possible for Mark Sudweeks or any other persons to have a copy of the report in question.
Today, Wednesday February 16, ISAC obtained a copy of the report made by the Nephi City Police on the night that Joyce Harris removed her daughter from Whitmore Academy.
It is not public record so only excerpts will be posted on this site, however the report supports the fact that statements accusing Mrs. Harris of dragging her daughter by the hair, are false.
On 11-27-04 at approximately 02:21 hours I accompanied Richard and Joyce Harris of San Antonio, Texas to the Whitmore Academy.
When [the child] was about to leave several girls from the academy told Joyce that she couldn't take her. Joyce insisted and began pulling on [the child's]
arm as several girls pulled on her other arm to try and keep her there.
Once again the girls told Joyce that she couldn't take her. Joyce pulled on her arm and the other girls pulled her back. [The child] broke loose and swiftly exited the mansion.
In the telephone conversation with Mark Sudweeks on February 11, ISAC informed him that he was welcome to submit a response to the statements made by Joyce Harris.
Mr. Sudweeks conveyed no interest in doing that and has sent no response to date, however he did state several times that ISAC would be hearing from his attorney.
Survivors
If you would like to submit a statement describing your experience in any of the facilities listed above, please use this declaration form.
If you have other documents and are willing to release them to
ISAC, please contact us immediately.
ISAC Document Policy
ISAC does not reveal information concerning ongoing investigations UNLESS we feel
we can release the documents without hindering the investigation.
Some Reports or documents can not be released publicly. This is because they are part
of an ongoing criminal investigation by government or law enforcement agencies,
they reveal information pertaining to a juvenile or because they contain information
that we believe would violate a person's right to privacy.
We wish to be fair to all parties involved, and there is no intent whatsoever to
present inaccurate information. ISAC issues its conclusions and professional opinions
in the form of reports based solely on evidence collected during investigations. ISAC does not issue a judgment
on ANY individual or organization. That matter should be and is left to civil
and criminal proceedings.
If any group or individual feels that
the information presented on this site is inaccurate, please contact us.
If the information is proven to be inaccurate, it will be either changed or
removed upon receipt of verifiable proof. Verifiable proof is
defined as a disinterested source independent of your group such as a newspaper,
encyclopedia, public record, court transcript or similar source.
Statements posted on this website are not edited prior to publication.
The original authors of such statements are solely responsible for the content.
Any group or individual who wishes to supply a rebuttal to any information
presented on this site may do so at any time. The rebuttal must be sent via registered letter.
The following paragraph MUST be included in your rebuttal:
It is understood that all rebuttals
sent to ISAC Corp will be considered a matter of public interest and record.
The individual or organization submitting the rebuttal understands that
their rebuttal is subject to publication by ISAC Corporation
on its internet site, in original reports, and any other publication issued by ISAC.
