Trending...
- San Antonio Board of REALTORS® Among First to Use Passkey Login with Solid Earth's SSO Dashboard - 396
- Psychologist-Turned-Hermeticist Releases Modern Guide to the Seven Hermetic Principles
- Inked & Maxim Model Teisha Mechetti Turns Heads—And Builds Community Impact
With federal and state investigations of the "troubled teen" behavioral industry, the "transport" companies used to kidnap and force children into potentially deadly "therapy" should also be held to account
LOS ANGELES - ColoradoDesk -- The Citizens Commission on Human Rights International warns parents against hiring companies to forcibly transport troubled teens to psychiatric residential treatment facilities (RTFs) and wilderness camps, citing devastating reports of trauma and abuse. Jan Eastgate, the group's international president, says, "The average experience of troubled youths in wilderness camps starts with legal kidnapping, terrorizing them and adding to their trauma." Misguided and distraught parents hire these transport services to stage kidnappings of their children, who are violently extracted from their homes in the middle of the night and delivered to RTFs thousands of miles away, according to The Regulatory Review.[1]
The National Youth Rights Association (NYRA) reports: "Despite the seemingly innocuous name, the business of abduction is anything but, and it is perfectly legal in most states. Escort services could range from politely asking your child to go with them to the child being woken up in the middle of the night by strangers with handcuffs and violently staging what is essentially a kidnapping. Forcefully removing a child from their home often involves traumatic experiences, especially when the child doesn't know what's happening."[2]
The Journal of Legislation described the abduction process: "These men ask if you want to go 'the easy way or the hard way' before restraining you and carrying you out of your home, as you scream for help. They take you to the airport, eventually transporting you to an isolated facility for rebellious teenagers. Once at this facility, you are subject to a multitude of physical and mental abuse." This can include being forced to take psychotropic drugs.[3]
CCHR says this practice should be investigated as a possible violation of 18 U.S. Code §1201, "Federal Kidnapping Laws," which states: "Whoever unlawfully seizes, confines, decoys, kidnaps, abducts or carries away and holds for ransom or reward any person, or when the person is willfully transported in interstate or foreign commerce across a state boundary is guilty of kidnapping…." One law firm states, "Kidnapping is generally described as taking someone away against their will. Sometimes, it will involve confinement or detaining them in false imprisonment," preventing an escape.
More on Colorado Desk
Children and teens, even of consenting age, are kidnapped, transported across state lines, and held against their will under the guise of psychiatric or behavioral care. Transport companies typically charge fees ranging from $2000 to $4000. Parents may also incur a case management consultant fee costing up to $10,000, while the wilderness camps charge an upfront admissions fee ranging from $1500 to $5000. Financial institutions offer loans for this, with amounts reaching as high as $100,000.
Researchers say Involuntary Youth Transport (IYT) "relies on the implicit or explicit use of force," and against young people who may "have no legal right to refuse treatment." The system has been criticized as a form of social control or "strong-arm rehabilitation."[4]
NYRA estimates the industry profits $1.2 billion a year from a process that "dehumanizes youth and quite literally deprives them of freedom." In extreme cases, young people have experienced solitary confinement, sexual abuse, and even death. In February 2024, a 12-year-old boy transported from New York to a North Carolina wilderness camp died undergoing a restraint procedure. His death was ruled a homicide.
The Alliance for the Safe, Therapeutic and Appropriate Use of Residential Treatment also explains the long-term damage: "Many survivors who have been 'escorted' to a residential program say they experience years of nightmares, flashbacks, emotional 'numbing,' inability to concentrate, angry outbursts, difficulty sleeping or other symptoms" primarily because of the trauma of being forcibly taken against their will.[5]
A recent case was that of a 17-year-old transported to a North Carolina wilderness camp, where she was held for 77 days. "I was falling behind, and my parents were concerned about me graduating on time or being able to go to college. At the time, my parents felt it would be beneficial to my mental health to get out of the school system for a break," she said. Once admitted, "We were yelled at and mocked for being upset," she said and described conditions as "absolutely criminal."[6]
Eastgate says the crux of this child abuse industry is the delinquent behavior of teens being labeled as a "mental disorder" justifying their involuntary incarceration. An arbitrary list of teen "symptoms" includes loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities; a significant decline in academic performance; increased irritability; changes in sleep patterns and increased defiance/ disobedience.
More on Colorado Desk
CCHR wants the involuntary youth transport business included in federal and state investigations of the $23 billion troubled teen treatment industry. Eastgate says, "It is a legalized child abuse industry that stretches from labeling teens as mentally disordered, to kidnapping and dumping them into abusive psychiatric and behavioral facilities with impunity. It deceives parents who are unaware that their children are being subjected to potential criminal abuse in the name of care."
CCHR was established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and eminent professor of psychiatry, Dr. Thomas Szasz and has helped achieve hundreds of laws to protect individuals. This includes the federal Prohibition of Mandatory Medication Amendment banning the practice of children being forced to take psychiatric drugs as a requisite for their education.
Sources:
[1] Evelyn Tsisin, "The Troubled Teen Industry's Troubling Lack of Oversight," The Regulatory Review, 27 June 2023, www.theregreview.org/2023/06/27/tsisin-the-troubled-teen-industrys-troubling-lack-of-oversight/
[2] "The 'troubled teen' industry," National Youth Rights Association, www.youthrights.org/issues/medical-autonomy/the-troubled-teen-industry/
[3] Morgan Rubino, "MORE THAN TROUBLING: THE ALARMING ABSENCE OF 'TROUBLED TEEN INDUSTRY' REGULATION AND PROPOSALS FOR REFORM," Journal of Legislation, Vol 50, 2024, p, 431
[4] "Involuntary Youth Transport (IYT) to Treatment Programs: Best Practices, Research, Ethics, and Future Directions," Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, Vol 39, 6 Nov. 2019
[5] "The 'troubled teen' industry," National Youth Rights Association, www.youthrights.org/issues/medical-autonomy/the-troubled-teen-industry/
[6] Emily Mikkelsen, "Former Trails Carolina camper recounts stay at embattled 'wilderness therapy' camp; 'I have nightmares that I'm still there.'" Fox News Greensboro, 4 July 2024, www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/former-trails-carolina-camper-recounts-stay-at-embattled-wilderness-therapy-camp-i-have-nightmares-that-i-m-still-there/ar-BB1pmOWk
The National Youth Rights Association (NYRA) reports: "Despite the seemingly innocuous name, the business of abduction is anything but, and it is perfectly legal in most states. Escort services could range from politely asking your child to go with them to the child being woken up in the middle of the night by strangers with handcuffs and violently staging what is essentially a kidnapping. Forcefully removing a child from their home often involves traumatic experiences, especially when the child doesn't know what's happening."[2]
The Journal of Legislation described the abduction process: "These men ask if you want to go 'the easy way or the hard way' before restraining you and carrying you out of your home, as you scream for help. They take you to the airport, eventually transporting you to an isolated facility for rebellious teenagers. Once at this facility, you are subject to a multitude of physical and mental abuse." This can include being forced to take psychotropic drugs.[3]
CCHR says this practice should be investigated as a possible violation of 18 U.S. Code §1201, "Federal Kidnapping Laws," which states: "Whoever unlawfully seizes, confines, decoys, kidnaps, abducts or carries away and holds for ransom or reward any person, or when the person is willfully transported in interstate or foreign commerce across a state boundary is guilty of kidnapping…." One law firm states, "Kidnapping is generally described as taking someone away against their will. Sometimes, it will involve confinement or detaining them in false imprisonment," preventing an escape.
More on Colorado Desk
- Colorado: Hickenlooper, Polis, DeGette, Neguse, Crow, Pettersen Denounce Republicans' Reckless Budget Bill, Pressure House Members to Vote Against It
- Cynthia Pinot Among Artists Selected for Renowned London Art Biennale 2025
- Real Estate Experts Highlight Jersey Shore as a Smart Buy in 2025
- Colorado: Governor Polis: Congressional Republicans Causing Devastating, Negative Impact From Passing One Big Budget-Busting Bureaucracy-Building Act
- Colorado: Governor Polis Celebrates 4th of July, Marking 249 Years of Independence From Monarchy and Tyranny
Children and teens, even of consenting age, are kidnapped, transported across state lines, and held against their will under the guise of psychiatric or behavioral care. Transport companies typically charge fees ranging from $2000 to $4000. Parents may also incur a case management consultant fee costing up to $10,000, while the wilderness camps charge an upfront admissions fee ranging from $1500 to $5000. Financial institutions offer loans for this, with amounts reaching as high as $100,000.
Researchers say Involuntary Youth Transport (IYT) "relies on the implicit or explicit use of force," and against young people who may "have no legal right to refuse treatment." The system has been criticized as a form of social control or "strong-arm rehabilitation."[4]
NYRA estimates the industry profits $1.2 billion a year from a process that "dehumanizes youth and quite literally deprives them of freedom." In extreme cases, young people have experienced solitary confinement, sexual abuse, and even death. In February 2024, a 12-year-old boy transported from New York to a North Carolina wilderness camp died undergoing a restraint procedure. His death was ruled a homicide.
The Alliance for the Safe, Therapeutic and Appropriate Use of Residential Treatment also explains the long-term damage: "Many survivors who have been 'escorted' to a residential program say they experience years of nightmares, flashbacks, emotional 'numbing,' inability to concentrate, angry outbursts, difficulty sleeping or other symptoms" primarily because of the trauma of being forcibly taken against their will.[5]
A recent case was that of a 17-year-old transported to a North Carolina wilderness camp, where she was held for 77 days. "I was falling behind, and my parents were concerned about me graduating on time or being able to go to college. At the time, my parents felt it would be beneficial to my mental health to get out of the school system for a break," she said. Once admitted, "We were yelled at and mocked for being upset," she said and described conditions as "absolutely criminal."[6]
Eastgate says the crux of this child abuse industry is the delinquent behavior of teens being labeled as a "mental disorder" justifying their involuntary incarceration. An arbitrary list of teen "symptoms" includes loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities; a significant decline in academic performance; increased irritability; changes in sleep patterns and increased defiance/ disobedience.
More on Colorado Desk
- $18 Price Target Issued in New Research Report After $34 Million Revenue Forecast from Acquisition; $101.5 Million Net Revenue in 2025; NAS DAQ: IQST
- West Dentistry Welcomes New Oral Surgeon to Enhance Patient Care
- The AML Shop Launches New Financial Investigations Unit, Appoints Director to Lead the Initiative
- Raidium révolutionne le diagnostic de la Sclérose en Plaques en partenariat avec l'Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild
- New Podcast "Spreading the Good BUZZ" Hosted by Josh and Heidi Case Launches July 7th with Explosive Global Reach and a Mission to Transform Lives
CCHR wants the involuntary youth transport business included in federal and state investigations of the $23 billion troubled teen treatment industry. Eastgate says, "It is a legalized child abuse industry that stretches from labeling teens as mentally disordered, to kidnapping and dumping them into abusive psychiatric and behavioral facilities with impunity. It deceives parents who are unaware that their children are being subjected to potential criminal abuse in the name of care."
CCHR was established in 1969 by the Church of Scientology and eminent professor of psychiatry, Dr. Thomas Szasz and has helped achieve hundreds of laws to protect individuals. This includes the federal Prohibition of Mandatory Medication Amendment banning the practice of children being forced to take psychiatric drugs as a requisite for their education.
Sources:
[1] Evelyn Tsisin, "The Troubled Teen Industry's Troubling Lack of Oversight," The Regulatory Review, 27 June 2023, www.theregreview.org/2023/06/27/tsisin-the-troubled-teen-industrys-troubling-lack-of-oversight/
[2] "The 'troubled teen' industry," National Youth Rights Association, www.youthrights.org/issues/medical-autonomy/the-troubled-teen-industry/
[3] Morgan Rubino, "MORE THAN TROUBLING: THE ALARMING ABSENCE OF 'TROUBLED TEEN INDUSTRY' REGULATION AND PROPOSALS FOR REFORM," Journal of Legislation, Vol 50, 2024, p, 431
[4] "Involuntary Youth Transport (IYT) to Treatment Programs: Best Practices, Research, Ethics, and Future Directions," Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, Vol 39, 6 Nov. 2019
[5] "The 'troubled teen' industry," National Youth Rights Association, www.youthrights.org/issues/medical-autonomy/the-troubled-teen-industry/
[6] Emily Mikkelsen, "Former Trails Carolina camper recounts stay at embattled 'wilderness therapy' camp; 'I have nightmares that I'm still there.'" Fox News Greensboro, 4 July 2024, www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/former-trails-carolina-camper-recounts-stay-at-embattled-wilderness-therapy-camp-i-have-nightmares-that-i-m-still-there/ar-BB1pmOWk
Source: Citizens Commission on Human Rights
Filed Under: Health, Government
0 Comments
Latest on Colorado Desk
- New Report: Slip and Fall Accidents Rank as the Leading Cause of Construction Site Fatalities
- Get Your Cowboy Boots On! Causeway Country BBQ Music Festival Kicks Off September 12–14 in Ft. Pierce
- Retired Hobbyist Launches Bold Weekly Album Project Using AI Songwriting Tools
- DimHum Launches Revolutionary CrowdShipping Service
- Eolian Signs New Information Exchange Agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense for Technology Innovation
- Oil & Gas Cleantech Challenge Announces 2025 Call for Applications
- Infinite Health Introduces Cutting-Edge Regenerative Medicine for Wound Care with Trip Goolsby, MD
- Top Dentist Concord CA, Smile Makers Dental Care, Celebrates 500 5-Star Reviews
- Colorado Springs: City to offer free activities for National Park and Recreation Month
- Colorado Springs: City to observe Independence Day
- Bio-Inspired Technology-Dynamic and Adaptable for unknown real-world environments
- How to Get Rid of Bed Bugs in Colorado Springs
- Michael Reafsnyder opens solo exhibition at Scott Richards Contemporary Art in San Francisco
- Colorado: Gov. Polis Urges House to End the Madness and Do Right by Coloradans by Starting Over on Federal Bill
- Valley Sleep Therapy Expands to Prescott with New Location at Crossings Road
- $17.4 Million Total Revenue for First Half of 2025 (up 31.8% YOY) for Global Wet Trades Services Provider with High Value Bitcoin Investments
- $12.8 Million Net Revenue for 2024 for Cloud-Based Crowdsourcing Recruitment and SaaS-Enabled HR Solutions Provider: Baiya International Group Inc
- New Housing and Public Safety Laws Take Effect to Save Coloradans Money on Housing and Make Colorado Safer
- Morris Animal Foundation Names Ike Nicoll as Chief Executive Officer
- 20/20 Institute Announces Expansion with New State-of-the-Art LASIK Center in Colorado Springs