Three weeks after a 13-year-old girl died by suicide at a Weaverville residential treatment program, the state health department has barred the facility from admitting more clients, according to a letter obtained by Asheville Watchdog.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services informed Asheville Academy Executive Director Shawn Farrell on Tuesday that Wilderness Training & Consulting, LLC., the academy’s operator, had violated state law and that “conditions in the facility are found to be detrimental to the health and safety of the clients.” 

“Therefore, pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 122C-23, the Division of Health Service Regulation, Department of Health and Human Services, is hereby ordering you to suspend all admissions to the facility effective immediately,” Chief Mental Health Licensure & Certification Section Robin Sulfridge said in the letter. “The Suspension of Admissions is to continue until conditions are documented to meet approved inspection status.”

The state cited Asheville Academy for several violations, including those concerning protection from harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation; rights in 24-hour facilities; and competencies and supervision of paraprofessionals.

Farrell did not respond to a call and a text message asking for comment on the letter.

Asheville Academy has 20 days to appeal NCDHHS’ decision, according to the letter.

Surveyors from the state visited the facility May 8, a day after The Watchdog reported the death, which occurred on May 3 and was investigated by the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office. (On May 7, The Watchdog reported the teenager was 14, based on information provided by the BCSO.)

The BCSO investigation is complete, spokesperson Matthew Marshall said, but will remain open until the office receives an official medical examiner’s report. 

The teenager’s death came 15 months after a 12-year-old boy died at Trails Carolina, a therapeutic treatment camp in Lake Toxaway owned by the same company that runs Asheville Academy. Campers were removed from the program days after the death, the camp’s license was revoked, and the program was shuttered.

Trails Carolina faced multiple lawsuits years before the death, which was the second there in 10 years.

Wilderness Training & Consulting, LLC does business as Salem, Oregon-based Family Help & Wellness, which currently has 15 mental health programs, mainly in Utah. Someone who answered the phone at the company directed The Watchdog to its general email address when asked about the suspension. 

The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 

According to the Asheville Citizen Times, two lawsuits in federal and state courts in the first half of this year alleged clients were sexually abused at Trails Carolina. 

The NCDHHS visited Asheville Academy in March for an inspection and found no deficiencies. 

DHSR inspections in 2020, 2021 and 2022 found that Asheville Academy failed to develop treatment strategies for multiple clients; failed to report allegations of abuse to appropriate authorities; failed to properly train staff in restrictive interventions; and failed to ensure clients had the right to communicate and consult with legal guardians, among other issues.

[Editor’s note: If you or someone you know are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. In addition, Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To speak with a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.]

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Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. Andrew R. Jones is a Watchdog investigative reporter. Email arjones@avlwatchdog.org. The Watchdog’s local reporting is made possible by donations from the community. To show your support for this vital public service go to avlwatchdog.org/support-our-publication/.

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