North Carolina health authorities have signaled their intent to revoke the license of Trails Carolina, a wilderness therapy camp, following the unexplained death of a 12-year-old boy.
State officials at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) cited the facility for several regulatory breaches, including failure to protect clients from abuse—a fundamental requirement for mental health institutions. The revocation notice followed an inspection on March 21, which substantiated the camp’s infringement of statutes that are fundamental to ensuring the welfare of individuals in mental health, developmental, or substance abuse facilities.
The inspection unearthed a series of violations, among them inadequate medication requirements, insufficient incident response requirements, and a lack of protection from harm, abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Consequently, the department has also indefinitely suspended Trails Carolina’s ability to admit new participants and imposed an $18,000 fine.
Trails Carolina has been a controversial figure in the so-called “troubled teen industry,” facing criticism over its treatment of helping children and teens who struggle with various mental health issues and behavioral concerns. The scrutiny intensified following the death of the young camper, known only as CJH, who was found deceased with his pants and underwear removed less than a day into his stay at the facility. This incident is under an active criminal investigation.
State regulators have accused Trails Carolina of blocking social workers from speaking with campers in the wake of the boy’s death; the Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office has also said staff did not fully cooperate with the investigation.
This is not the first death at Trails Carolina; another camper, 17-year-old Alec Sanford Lansing, died of hypothermia in 2014 after wandering off from the camp. Although ruled accidental, the camp faced criticism for not promptly involving law enforcement, which could have expedited search and rescue efforts.
The facility has ten days to either put forth a detailed plan of correction or justify its compliance with state regulations. Trails Carolina, marketed as a “multi-dimensional adventure therapy program,” has yet to issue a formal response to the department’s actions or the allegations.
Relevant articles:
– North Carolina moves to revoke license of wilderness camp where a 12-year-old died
– NC DHHS to revoke Trails Carolina’s license, WBTV, Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:39:00 GMT
– State threatens to revoke license for Trails Carolina wilderness therapy program after camper’s death, WUNC, Thu, 28 Mar 2024 22:22:00 GMT
– NC DHHS notifies camp of intention to revoke license, further suspend admissions, Fox Carolina, Thu, 28 Mar 2024 20:28:00 GMT