More than six weeks have passed since seven American boys were taken from Atlantis Leadership Academy—a faith-based school located in Treasure Beach, Jamaica, catering to teenagers with various difficulties, including substance abuse, anxiety disorders, and defiant behavior. The Jamaican Child Protection and Family Services Agency made the decision to remove the children after receiving reports of abuse, which according to an email sent to parents, amounted to mistreatment. Currently, these boys remain in the custody of Jamaican child welfare authorities, awaiting a resolution that will allow them to return to their families in the United States.
Attorneys representing the children have confirmed that they are currently residing in group homes in Jamaica. The Jamaican Child Protection and Family Services Agency declined to provide further details regarding the nature of the reported abuse, citing an ongoing investigation. They stated that they are unable to comment on the specifics of the case. The origins of the allegations remain unclear.
Atlantis Leadership Academy has chosen not to respond to requests for comment. However, in correspondence addressed to parents, Randall Cook, the director of the program, asserted, “With our reputation and transparency, no one could believe something like this could have occurred, nor that we are in any way an abusive organization.”
Tarah Fleischman, aged 59, whose son Cody, with special needs, is one of the boys removed from the academy, expressed her frustration at the prolonged delay in reuniting with her son in Wisconsin. She also conveyed her distress over the mistreatment she claims her son endured while at the academy.
Cody, a 16-year-old diagnosed with Tourette syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and ADHD, was enrolled at Atlantis Leadership Academy in May last year. Since his enrollment, he has experienced a significant weight loss, as reported by his mother, Tarah Fleischman. Despite being unable to communicate with Cody during his time at Atlantis, Fleischman managed to spend an hour with him last week, during which Cody disclosed that he had been subjected to physical abuse at the school, as recounted by Fleischman and a present advocate.
Regrettably, Fleischman laments her decision to send Cody to Atlantis, which she pursued after numerous other programs rejected him. She had hoped that enrolling Cody at Atlantis would aid in managing his aggressive behavior and ensure the safety of both her son and her family. Expressing frustration with the system, Fleischman reflects on her desperation as a mother, feeling preyed upon by circumstances beyond her control.
Youth rights advocates are deeply troubled by the recent events, echoing longstanding concerns regarding the lack of oversight within the troubled teen industry in the United States. Many facilities have operated with minimal supervision, enabling instances of abuse to persist unchecked for prolonged periods before intervention by authorities. When children are sent abroad, oversight from state and local agencies becomes even more scarce.
Chelsea Maldonado, a consultant from 11:11 Media Impact, the philanthropic division of Paris Hilton’s media company, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “This is as hidden as it gets.” Maldonado has been coordinating legal support for the affected children and recently met with Fleischman and Cody to offer assistance.
Relevant articles:
– Jamaica pulls U.S. boys from troubled teen school after allegations they were abused
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