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Seven US boys removed from private facility in St. Elizabeth after abuse allegations

By Kimone Witter    
 
The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) has reportedly acted on allegations of abuse at the Atlantis Leadership Academy in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth and removed seven American boys from the facility last month.
 
According to a report by NBC News published Wednesday, the boys are in state custody.
 
Atlantis Leadership Academy advertises itself as a faith-based school serving teenagers who are struggling with substance abuse, anxiety disorders and defiant behaviour.
 
NBC News says the CPFSA sent emails to the parents of the affected boys last month informing them of the allegations of mistreatment, amounting to abuse, and as a result had removed them from the private facility on February 8.
 
The CPFSA also indicated that it was working to have the boys returned to the United States.
 
The report said the CPFSA did not elaborate on the types of abuse alleged and said it could not comment due to the ongoing investigation. It's unclear how the allegations came to light.
 
One mother, Tarah Fleischman, who spoke to NBC News, shared a recording of a call with one of the boys, in which he told her that her son, Cody, was frequently beaten by the staff at Atlantis Leadership Academy and sometimes went days without food.
 
Ms. Fleischman said, prior to this development, her only contact with her son had been through photographs sent by staff of the facility.
 
A court hearing was reportedly held on March 15. The matter will again be heard in April.
 
In a letter to parents, programme director Randall Cook said, with the facility's reputation, no one would believe the allegations that it is an abusive organisation.


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