Look no further, call now! On January 26, 2022, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of Tevin Pike against Sequel TSI of Alabama, Sequel TSI of Tuskegee, and Sequel Youth & Family Services LLC (Sequel), alleging that Pike was a former 15-year-old resident at an Alabama treatment facility for children run by Sequel TIS of Tuskegee, a residential psychiatric facility, for about two months in 2018, during which Pike was allegedly choked, beaten, punched, slapped and slammed to the ground by employees and other residents. 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. John Jay Ripley, one of Sequels founders, established Vivant Behavioral Healthcare in order to buy a majority of Sequel and eventually rebrand the company. Two years later, Marshall sent cookies to other Sequel employees as a gift, emails show. The company is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama and owns a nationwide network of over 40 facilities in more than 15 states, including residential treatment centers, group homes, special schools, and community-based programs. The latest Sequel treatment centers to close are in Idaho, Florida, and Iowa, all of which had been under government scrutiny in recent years. He returned to youth treatment in 1999, taking over a former YSI treatment center in Iowa. You may qualify to take legal action, to seek compensation for the damages that you incurred from the abuse in a Sequel facility, if you or a loved one suffered: This applies to, both, currently operational facilities and closed facilities. 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. Christy Johnsons heart dropped in February when she first stepped into a facility for children with serious mental and behavioral health issues in Courtland, a few miles from the Tennessee River in northern Alabama, run by Sequel Youth & Family Services. Use the CB Insights Platform to explore Sequel Youth and Family Services's full profile. Most notably, the estate of Cornelius Fredricks filed a $100 million lawsuit against Sequel for his death. 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. The State of Iowas placing some of these young people in this unrestricted environment is frankly absurd.. 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. How can the same people continue to be trusted with what they say are the most vulnerable kids that we have? After their release, they stayed in touch and fell in love, they said. 3. Sequel Youth & Family Services: Second Lawsuit Settled in Death of Teen at Sequel Lakeside Facility January 12, 2022. Thank you for everything. The work load and expectations do not match the pay for the majority of the staff (even for the positions that require degrees). We're ready to be your ally. Ripley started Sequel in 1999 with Adam Shapiro, a lawyer, initially just to run Clarinda Academy, a youth facility in Iowa where Shapiro had been executive director. You can also sue facility staff members who are no longer working for Sequel. For what theyve done, and what theyre not doing. CORRECTION (Dec. 16, 2020, 5:17 p.m. He and the other children at Sequel Tuskegee were treated like animals by staff. Yet, at these facilities, children have been sexually and physically assaulted by staff members. It also ran outpatient programs in a handful of others. Anytime that our clients are not getting the highest quality care that they deserve is an opportunity for improvement.. Employee at Teen Behavior Facility Arrested for Sexual Battery, Showing Porn to Minors. 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. Sequel Youth and Family Services received nearly $9 million in reimbursement payments from the state of Michigan in 2019, according to the state. The name isn't the problem. 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. In Alabama, the Alabama Department of Youth Services and the Alabama Department of Human Resources place at-risk children in the Sequel facility to receive medically required mental health care. Hunter is now receiving psychiatric treatment at a hospital, she said. Below are some of the allegations from victims, staff, and advocates which were shared during the NBC investigation and a report filed by the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program of what was seen at just one Alabama location: Parents and adoptive parents have stated, "they come out worse than they were when they went in.". These cookies do not store any personal information. 97. That's not what we saw.". Today the Sequel brand has been removed from almost all its former treatment centers web sites. Birmingham said Sequels marketing agents play a key role in receiving feedback from state officials and in helping the facilitys staffers get what they need to care for their residents. A Profitable Death Trap: Sequel Youth Facilities Raked in Millions While Accused of Abusing Children. All of my questions were answered quickly and in a way I could understand. For children who qualify . 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. The same facility will reopen under a new name with new services while an attorney prepares to file another lawsuit against the facility. Everything you need to know about the Disney California Cookware / 16 hours ago In a civil lawsuit filed Monday against Lakeside Academy and Sequel Youth and Family Services, the family said the teen screamed "I can't breathe" as staff members placed their weight on his . Our community is ready to answer. The records revealed reports of child abuse and injury reports had been made to state agencies in Alabama, yet the facilities would still pass inspections. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. In 2020, Emmet County Sheriff Mike Martens contacted the state to complain about the burden Forest Ridge was placing on his department. A 16-year-old, Cornelius Frederick, died this year after several staff members restrained him at a Sequel facility in Michigan, prompting disability rights proponents, legislators and child advocacy groups in at least six states to question whether the company focuses more on profit than rehabilitating the children in its care. You can still file a Sequel abuse lawsuit against facilities that are closed. According to Tristan, and confirmed by state records and accounts from advocates and four former foster children, the staff regularly used seclusion, sometimes for days, at Tuskegee and Owens Cross Roads. 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. "My client lived a house of horrors," Tommy James said. 2020 AbuseGuardian.com. The series focused particular attention on the state of Florida, which has become emblematic of a nationwide trend in which growing numbers . Rappleyeis a reporter with the Investigative Unit at NBC News, with a focus on criminal justice, social issues and the environment. . But rather than get better, Laurie said, girls at Owens Cross Roads seemed to get worse. Youth Counselor Supervisor (Former Employee) - Courtland, AL - August 17, 2022. Information Request: Best Method to Contact You? 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. They severely underpay their staff! . I was banging and kicking on the door, trying to get someones attention, he said. The records revealed reports of child abuse and injury reports had been made to state agencies in Alabama, yet the facilities would still pass inspections. He named his new business Sequel because it was his second foray into the industry. KALAMAZOO, MI -- A federal lawsuit filed on behalf of the family of Cornelius Fredricks, the 16-year-old who died after being restrained at a Kalamazoo youth facility, seeks more than $50 million. 1 (July 2, 2020) (hereinafter "ADAP"). In 2017, when a private equity firm bought a controlling stake in Sequel Youth & Family Services, it had 35 residential treatment centers in 16 states. Her family couldnt afford private care options that cost up to $4,000 a month, but social workers determined Lauries needs were so great that she qualified for state care. They did not return our calls . The staff is kind, considerate, professional, and very experienced. If you have been exposed to Paraquat and diagnosed with Parkinsons disease may be eligible to pursue compensation, and entitled to participate in the paraquat lawsuit. 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. As of 2021, Sequel operates youth behavioral centers in 17 states. Steve and the entire staff were friendly and professional. There is poor supervision, staff bullying and intimidation of the children. 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