Paris Hilton in Jamaica to support to US boys removed from private facility amid abuse probe

By Kimone Witter    

 

Hotel heiress Paris Hilton is in Jamaica in a show of support for the seven American boys who were removed from Atlantis Leadership Academy in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth last month, amid a probe into allegations of abuse.

 

The boys and their attorneys returned to the Children's Court in Santa Cruz on Wednesday.

 

The Child Protection and Family Service Agency (CPFSA) had disclosed that it was during an unannounced visit to the facility on February 8, that signs of abuse and neglect were observed, leading to the immediate removal of the boys.

 

Ms. Hilton, her husband and an advocate, who was a former resident at Tranquility Bay in St. Elizabeth, arrived via helicopter Wednesday morning at St. Elizabeth Technical High School.

 

They were escorted by the police to the court house where they greeted the boys, before they entered for the proceedings.

 

After the story came to public attention via NBC News, Ms. Hilton posted on X that, as a survivor of abuse at a troubled teen facility, she was heartbroken for the boys.

 

Ms. Hilton said she was doing everything in her power to support the boys. 

 

Meanwhile, New York City based child welfare attorney, Dawn Post said she is in Jamaica to assist with relocating the boys, who have been given up for adoption. 

 

"I was advised that there were some adopted youth who their parents did not want them returned to them, and so I'm familiar with the child welfare system which is quite complex in the United States and I wanted to be able to help these boys find other placement resources and to be able to advocate in any way possible considering what their needs were and what their desires were."

 

Ms. Post said the CPFSA has been unfairly criticised for not immediately returning the boys to the United States. 

 

"I think it's important to note that in the US when kids are transferred between states, there's a very lengthy process called the ICPC to be able to determine that the placement that they're going to is safe and appropriate for them. So what Jamaican authorities are doing is perfectly appropriate in my mind and is rightfully what should be happening to ensure that the children are going back to safe and appropriate places, particularly since some of the families don't want them so we're working to try to find other placements for them or other homes," she disclosed. 

 

The Atlantis Leadership Academy, which advertises itself as a faith-based school, serves teens struggling with substance abuse, anxiety disorders and deviant behaviour.