This lawsuit makes the Abu Graib Prison Torturers look like wimps compared to what these kids were put thru. From a Press Release on the suit:

The facts of the case are clear. Chase’s parents entrusted their child to the control and direction of Defendants because Defendants advertised, promoted, and marketed their boarding school as a place where children with problems could get an education while they received direction in behavior modification for emotional growth and personal development.

Instead their son was severely abused for nearly two years while he was in their programs, Cross Creek and High Impact. Some of the allegations of abuse include:

• Unsanitary living conditions;

• Denial of adequate food;

• Denial of proper medical care and treatment;

• Denial of a minimally sufficient education;

• Exposure to cold temperatures for long periods of time;

• Forced physical exercise beyond his physical capacity;

• Placement in isolation for long periods of time, and at times, locked up in basements and put into uncomfortable positions;

• He was kicked, beaten, thrown and slammed to the ground, restrained, and humiliated;

• He was chained and locked in dog cages and, at times, tied by the writs and ankles;

• He was forced to clean and scrub toilets and floors with his toothbrush and then use the toothbrush afterwards;

• He was forced to carry heavy bags of sand around his neck throughout the day over many days;

• He was forced to wash dishes by using his hands and sand to scrub pots;

• He was forced to eat his own vomit;

• He endured sexual abuse;

• He endured emotional abuse when Defendants subjected him to near-total parental and societal isolation;

• In an effort to control his mind, he was prevented from having regular contact with his parents;

• Personal visits, correspondence, and telephone calls were either forbidden or discouraged; and

• He was forced to work without compensation.

Chase repeatedly witnessed other children being kicked, beaten, thrown to the ground, and humiliated by teachers, supervisors, and/or staff.

Because he was subjected to near-total isolation from the outside world, Chase was totally unequipped to enter outside society, which has made earning a living, forming and maintaining relationships, and adapting to society difficult at best. He will need extended therapy. press release

This release is only part of the story for sure. Another Lawsuit go back even farther,back to 2004 at least.

Over the years WWASPS has been involved in multiple lawsuits. In August 2004 WWASPS was defeated in a jury trial in Federal Court by Sue Scheff and P.U.R.E. WWASPS appealed, and lost again in June 2006.

Former students alleged they were forced to eat their own vomit, were beaten, thrown, and slammed to the ground, chained to dog cages, locked in small boxes, locked in basements, denied adequate food, deprived of sleep, hog tied, and more, during their stay in WWASPS programs.

Not only is it hard to ignore the countless children and parents who have come forward with allegations of abuse, neglect, and fraud, but it is hard to ignore the countless news articles and segments on Dateline NBC, Primetime, 48 Hours, Inside Edition, Fox News, alleging abuse and neglect in these programs. http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel....

One of the lawyers making allegations against Lichfield is Thomas M. Burton, by his own account, a relative of Romney through marriage and a one-time friend of the ex-governor’s late father, George Romney.

For more on the story about the kids and abuse in these kinds of private "schools" here is a link to the COALITION AGAINST INSTITUTIONALIZED CHILD ABUSE aka CAICA. We are very lucky to have a organization with this Mission Statement, all the Mitt stuff aside.I would hope all of us feel a kinship for these folks.

We seek to expose and rectify the abuse and distress of children and teens placed in private residential facilities, behavior modification programs, positive peer culture programs, Christian programs, mental health facilities, boot camps, wilderness programs, boarding schools, and juvenile justice systems. We believe that no child should be abducted, incarcerated, abused, neglected, or stripped of their basic human rights for the sake of profit.

It is our goal to be a voice for all children who are abused, neglected, and who have died in residential treatment settings. Please help us to be that voice, for together, we can make a difference.