An NBC News investigation based on more than 10,000 pages of records from 14 states and interviews with former Sequel residents, their parents and attorneys, probation officers and watchdog groups reveals how Sequel became one of the biggest behavioral health youth facility operators in the country. Sequel Youth and Family Services was founded in the late 1990s by former employees of Youth Services International. 95. One of the children placed at Courtland in early 2018 was a 15-year-old boy named Hunter, a former foster child with post-traumatic stress disorder whod been abused. With the goal of continuous improvement and our support, the company has consistently invested in quality and safety initiatives and in its staff to raise the bar and drive positive outcomes for thousands of individuals trusted to its care.. The closure was voluntary, but it came at the end of a difficult period for the program. They described physical abuse by staff, Johnson said, and being denied medical care. These residents were allowed to attack Tevin nightly. Edwardsville Daycare Injury & Abuse Cases, You were previously (or are currently) a U.S. military service member who used standard issue 3M Combat Arms earplugs; and, Physical abuse (including unnecessary restraint), Mingus Mountain Academy (Prescott Valley), Palm Beach Youth Academy (West Palm Beach), Pompano Youth Treatment Center (Pompano Beach), SequelCare of Florida (Pinellas Park, Port Richey, Port St. Lucie, West Palm Beach, and Vero Beach), North Shore Pediatric Therapy (Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Lake Bluff, Lincolnwood, and Naperville), Woodward Community Based Services (Urbandale), SequelCare of Maine (Bangor, Rockland, Searsport, and Yarmouth), SequelCare of Oklahoma (Antlers, Broken Bow, Durant, Hugo, Poteau, and Tulsa), Pine Cone Therapies (Keller, Missouri City, and Southlake), Auldern Academy, Siler City, North Carolina (2009 2021), Clarinda Academy, Clarinda, Iowa (1999 2021), Kingston Academy, Kingston, Tennessee (2009 2019), Lakeside Academy, Kalamazoo, Michigan (2007 2020), Lexington Academy, Lexington, Indiana (1996 2017), Mount Pleasant Academy, Mount Pleasant, Utah (2016 2019), Normative Services Academy, Sheridan, Wyoming (2003 2021), Northern Illinois Academy, Aurora, Illinois (2021), Red Rock Canyon School, St. George, Utah (2016 2019), Riverside Academy, Wichita, Kansas (2011 2019), Rose Rock Academy, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (2011 2016), Sequel Pomegranate Health Systems, Columbus, Ohio (2016 2021), Sequel TSI Madison, Madison, Alabama (2009 2019), Sequel TSI North Carolina, Pittsboro, North Carolina (2009 2010), Sequel TSI of Kissimmee, Kissimmee, Florida (2009 2016), Sequel TSI Paint Rock Valley, Trenton, Alabama (2009 2011), Sequel TSI Sierra Vista, Hereford, Arizona (2009 2011), Starr Albion Prep, Albion, Michigan (2014 2020), Union Juvenile Residential Facility, Raiford, Florida (2009 2019), Other losses as a result of abuse in a Sequel facility, Sequel Youth Facility and Family Services, Staff members who held management positions and failed to report abuse, Overseeing government agencies or representatives. But some facilities might have new life under a different name and one of the original founders. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. "Over the next two months, we will be working collaboratively with families, state agencies and case . Sequel Youth & Family Services has an overall rating of 2.6 out of 5, based on over 205 reviews left anonymously by employees. Though their marketing and public statements espouse an aura of care and reverence for the well-being and progression of the residents they house, their company has been named in lawsuits that allege rampant physical, sexual, and mental/verbal abuse. You deserve to be heard and we believe you. Since Fredericks' death, Michigan's Department of Health and Human . In response to questions about allegations of abuse and negligence at Sequel facilities, Altamont said in a statement: We conducted significant due diligence prior to our initial investment and are confident that Sequel Youth and Family Services is one of the best operators in the industry. The Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Lawsuit can apply to you, a family member, or a loved one who lived at Camp Lejeune (North Carolina) and suffered health effects from the decades of water contamination that occurred. Before they got out, the two crossed paths at a psychiatric hospital, where they were sent after trying to harm themselves. Sequel Youth and Family Services Lawsuit: Reports of Abuse, Independent Fundamental Baptist Resources, Disclaimer / Terms Of Service & Privacy Policy, 24/7 support with a caring legal staff dedicated to protecting your confidentiality, employees or "whistleblowers" of the facilities, Multiple children report being slammed to the ground and held facedown, One boy described his head being caught on a nail in the wall during a violent restraint, Reports of being called names, threatened, and comments such as "you gonna go to jail", Report of being in solitary confinement for 72 hours, with no access to a bathroom, Report of lack of access to medical treatment, dental treatment or eye care, Report of lack of access to clean drinking water, Lack of education, school work and career training, Filthy conditions and hazardous living conditions, Residents in inappropriate restraints without justification, and even the death of one resident at a Michigan facility. Its part of what we do, Jarrett Shoemaker, a Sequel marketing agent, wrote to a Washington state child welfare official in 2014. KRQE News 13 reached out may times to Sequel Youth and Family Services, which has seen similar closures and allegations in its other nationwide facilities recently. You cut off the head. Sequel markets itself as a national leader in providing specialized care for at-risk youth. Today the Sequel brand has been removed from almost all its former treatment centers web sites. Patricia took photos during a visit showing Hunter, a thin, slight child, sitting on a couch at the facility in a Spider-Man T-shirt. The firm went above and beyond. You may be eligible to file a Hair Straightener Cancer Lawsuit if you or a loved one used chemical hair straighteners, hair relaxers, or other similar hair products, and subsequently were diagnosed with: Over one million people, who were present at Camp Lejeune (North Carolina) between 1953 and 1987, may have been exposed to toxic substances in the water. The Alabama Department of Youth Services contracts with the facility as a private provider, placing boys there for a maximum stay of 120 days. What we do is we strive every day to provide the best care we can for kids in these facilities, Birmingham said. MOUNT PLEASANT, Utah (AP) A company that runs treatment centers for troubled youth is closing a second Utah facility as officials investigate claims of sexual abuse, violence and several other . California, Maryland, Oregon and Washington have also stopped placing children in programs run by the company. Even if a facility is closed, victims can still take legal action against parties involved in the facilities. Many states have reportedly revoked contracts with Sequel (but not Alabama). In a statement, Sparkman wrote that the agency investigates allegations and that subsequent investigation records are confidential based on Alabama law.. Tristans mother died when he was 2, and he said his father was addicted to drugs. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Those treatment programs were also shut down in recent years. We are passionate about what we do and delight in providing the individuals we are privileged to serve and instill permanent, positive change and propel them toward their best and full potential. Parents, guardians, and the state expect these children to have positive peer culture, get back on track with school, and have intensive therapy. Video Shows Fatal Restraint of Cornelius Frederick, 16, in Michigan Foster Facility. The Team Leader (Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic) CCBHC is a part of the managementSee this and similar jobs on LinkedIn. The lawsuit alleges: Tevin did not receive the necessary mental health treatment he needed but was instead physically abused and emotionally traumatized at Sequel Tuskegee. You may be eligible to file a Tylenol Autism ADHD Lawsuit / Acetaminophen Autism ADHD Claim if you or a loved one used Tylenol and/ or Acetaminophen during pregnancy, and your child was subsequently diagnosed with ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder. They are supported by a dedicated team of staff that are as equally friendly and helpful. You think you're making progress, and then it just comes back stronger, Gelser said. But nobody came. I recall walking in and the stench was overwhelming. Children also reported being slapped and choked by staff members. 'Treated like animals' Sequel Tuskegee is set back from the road on Highway 29, about 45 . 2, 2022 at 8:08 PM PDT. Two years later, Marshall sent cookies to other Sequel employees as a gift, emails show. Nearly all of Sequels programs run on government funding: States pay Sequel $275 to more than $800 a day per child to provide residential and therapeutic services. Laurie didnt know it at the time, but her future husband, Tristan Broadrick, was also struggling in Sequel facilities in Alabama. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Program, pp. For more information about potential legal action, you can contact an experienced Sequel abuse lawyer at TorHoerman Law for a free, no-obligation case consultation. C-Suite Team Hired to Accelerate Growth of Industry Leading Behavioral Health Company. For more of NBC News' in-depth reporting, download the NBC News app. All rights reserved. The statute of limitations for each state determines the amount of time that a victim has to file an abuse lawsuit. The report included photographic proof of the Dickensian conditions that the states most vulnerable children were forced to live in: broken doors, missing floor tiles, blood smeared on the walls and thin mattresses laid on top of concrete platforms. Attorneys at TorHoerman Law have first-hand experience with these sorts of facilities and can help you gain justice and compensation. Look no further, call now! Sequel Youth & Family Services specializes in treating children with mental disorders, intellectual disabilities and trauma, which makes these findings disturbing. Instead, it responded with a written statement saying, Jay Ripley and his family formed Vivant with the goal to help youth and adult consumers of behavioral health services and that the company was committed to providing ethical and quality treatment services to its clients and their families and communities.. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Sequel employees have also faced criminal charges for abuse. Attorney Tommy James has a record of helping individuals file lawsuits for compensation against those who have harmed them. Published: May. Most notably, the estate of Cornelius Fredricks filed a $100 million lawsuit against Sequel for his death. Hindman had founded the Jiffy Lube chain of auto service centers, and Ripley worked for him. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals . What type of abuse qualifies for the Sequel lawsuit? For what theyve done, and what theyre not doing. And we're ready to start right now. The work load and expectations do not match the pay for the majority of the staff (even for the positions that require degrees). Sequel Youth & Family Services. They still struggle with anxieties, nightmares and the feeling that theyre behind their peers. Hunter is now receiving psychiatric treatment at a hospital, she said. The treatment centers were run by Sequel Youth & Family Services, a "for-profit, $500-million company backed by Bay Area investors." . But rather than get better, Laurie said, girls at Owens Cross Roads seemed to get worse. We've recovered over $4 Billion in verdicts & settlements, 16 Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Diseases & Symptoms, Sequel Youth and Family Services Abuse Lawsuit. Very nice people! Sequel, a company with locations in 20 states that turned a $25 million profit in 2016, markets itself as a national leader in providing specialized care for at-risk youth. My client lived in a house of horrors. Tommy James is an attorney representing a 16-year-old named Hunter who lived at a Sequel facility in Courtland for 10 months. The Training Manager is responsible for directing, planning and implementing the training program.Also, takes the lead with staff training and personnel development. A number of new lawsuits are currently being filed nationwide against both currently operational and closed Sequel facilities. Inspectors said the facility didnt meet state standards related to programming, education, supervision, and mental health treatment. In Alabama, where Sequel is headquartered, records reveal that reports of troubling conditions in the companys facilities have been made to state agencies for years, including mandatory child abuse and injury reports and whistleblower accounts by former Sequel employees. According to Hunters adoptive mother, Patricia, the facility was supposed to get Hunter back on track with school, provide intensive therapy and immerse him in a Positive Peer Culture that teaches residents to support one another. Sequel Youth & Family Services has also faced criticisms. On top of those attacks, the suit states, a staff member once restrained Hunter so violently that his head hit a concrete wall and reopened an existing cut, requiring stitches. Mr. Roussos brings nearly two decades of experience building and leading healthcare organizations with vibrant service-oriented . Toxic chemicals in Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF Firefighting Foam) have been linked to numerous types of cancer, including: AFFF Firefighting Foam lawsuits aim to hold manufacturers accountable for putting peoples health at risk. Sequel Youth and Family Services is a diversified behavioral health services provider that develops and operates programs for people with behavioral, emotional, or physical challenges. In 2020, 16-year-old Cornelius Frederick died after he was reportedly smothered to death by Sequel employees in Michigan after he threw a sandwich. This was the first time experiencing a situation like this and Tor Hoerman law did an excellent job from start to finish. The company cares for over 9,000 clients across the United States, including foster children, children in the state juvenile justice system, and children whose parents are unable to handle their behavior. The teen's family suit against the school and the company that owns it, Sequel Youth Services, seeks $100 million, alleging negligence. He returned to youth treatment in 1999, taking over a former YSI treatment center in Iowa. Three employees of the facility were charged criminally in . He complained that Forest Ridge was admitting children they were not qualified to care for, were allowing children to prey on one another, and were failing to keep children safe by allowing them to leave the facility unsupervised., The report also includes an email Martens sent the state last April: It is time for a change of how business is conducted. In 2017 Sequel operated 35 residential treatment centers in 16 states. Officials at Sequel Youth & Family Services did not respond to requests for comment on the Oct. 14 report. In a court filing last week in Alabama, it argued that the lawsuit should be moved out of state court because the Ripley family is based in Virginia and an intricate series of business entities that comprise and control Vivant are incorporated in Virginia and Delaware. In an article from APM Reports analyzing Riverside Academy in Kansas, a former Sequel operation, it was found that: In the four years before it closed, the facility had been cited 38 times by Kansas officials for problems including excessive force by staff, poor supervision, under-qualified medical personnel, neglect and bullying by residents, according to state licensing records.. They also found the facility in disrepair, documenting missing sink handles, showers that had no hot water, moldy food, chairs with arms ripped off and nails exposed from torn upholstery on several couches. Hunter was assaulted multiple times by other children, including by his roommate, in full view of Sequels staff, according to a lawsuit his family filed against Sequel this week. lawsuits and interviews with former residents, staff . It's like this many-headed Hydra. Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Emotional & Psychological Abuse. Sequel Youth and Family Services owns Falcon Ridge Ranch, the Utah center with the highest rate of reported sex crimes. Sequel Youth and Family Services received nearly $9 million in reimbursement payments from the state of Michigan in 2019, according to the state. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Our team of attorneys include: Continue reading to learn more about the Sequel Youth & Family Services investigation. In wooing states, Sequel has an advantage: It offers to take children with the most severe challenges, who are hardest to place. Cornelius tragic death has been a watershed moment for the fight against abuse in these facilities. In September 2019, Sondra Landers, director of the departments office in Lawrence County, where Courtland is, sent an alarming email to several top agency staff members. Landers wrote that a former Courtland employee reported that there were 40 different residents/students that are consistently choked, body slammed, tortured, emotionally abused, football tackled, held up to the wall by their neck, dragged out of their beds, punch children in face, break their glasses, and encouraged to harass and fight other residents., Children are punished by not being allowed to go to the bathroom to the point where they urinate and defecate on themselves, Landers said the employee told her. The company has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in government funding and tens of millions more from private equity firms to expand to new locations, while deploying a sophisticated marketing strategy to convince state officials to send more children, despite government inspections flagging violations at Sequel locations in at least nine states, the records show. Sequel's facility in Owens Cross Roads, Ala. Tristan Broadrick says he was kept for 72 hours a room similar to this "seclusion room" at Sequel's Tuskegee facility as punishment for running away. Ohio recently revoked the license of a Sequel psychiatric facility in Columbus over multiple instances of violence. One firm, Altamont Capital Partners, which has investments in health care companies, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and clothing brands like Billabong, purchased a majority stake in Sequel for an undisclosed amount in 2017. Faced criticisms web sites Michigan & # x27 ; s Department of Health and Human CCBHC is part. 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