Youth Villages stories

For Immediate Release
Updated Dec. 9, 2023

We are deeply saddened by the loss of a child following a medical emergency that occurred at one of our campuses two weeks ago. We care about every young person that we help. We are heartbroken by this event, and our thoughts are with the child’s family in this difficult time.

When the child exhibited symptoms of a medical emergency, our staff immediately responded following our protocols for emergency medical intervention. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were called and arrived onsite within minutes. The child was transported by ambulance to the hospital and passed away several days later.

Many of the statements and comments circulating publicly about this incident are false and inaccurate.

• There were no abusive or otherwise inappropriate interactions directed toward the young person.
• The young person was brought to the health department by two female staff and was never alone with male staff or asked to undress in front of male staff.

We are working closely with all relevant public safety and health authorities in response to this incident and are awaiting the official medical reports. We are also fully cooperating with the official investigations.

• The young people in our care are continually supported by physicians, nurse practitioners and nursing staff. Medical staff, including registered nurses and EMT, were on site during the incident.
• Due to confidentiality laws involving children who receive mental and behavioral health care, we cannot discuss the details of individual cases and the health issues related to youth receiving help in our programs.
• We provide care to the most vulnerable young people within our communities. Our intensive residential centers provide trauma-informed, intensive therapy and care to youth with the most severe mental, emotional behavioral challenges.
• Our programs are designed to help these young people heal, grow, and develop the tools and skills necessary to lead safe and productive lives and to return home to their families and communities. The care and well-being of the young people we help is always our most important concern.
• Our staff are trained in behavioral interventions and follow strict protocols when working with the young people we serve. Specifically, our staff is highly trained in the Crisis Prevention Institute’s (CPI) techniques and safety training, which emphasize prevention, intervention, and nonphysical methods of managing disruptive behavior. In addition to this intensive training before working with our youth, our staff receives regular ongoing CPI training to learn the latest, most effective methods for helping children in crisis.

We will provide updates as we are able.