Senate Report: Horrific Systemic Abuse Found in RTFs and TTI Facilities
Last week, the Senate Committee on Finance published a report, “Warehouses of Neglect.”
The report, two years in the making, calls attention to the alleged systemic abuse in youth residential treatment facilities across the country and how taxpayers are funding this system.
The 130-page report also references lawsuits Morris Haynes partner Jeremy Knowles and outside co-counsel Tommy James and Caleb Cunningham have brought against residential treatment facilities (RTFs) and troubled teen industry (TTI) facilities in Alabama. These lawsuits allege that underaged clients were abused, neglected, and denied proper education.
Oregon senator Ron Wyden spearheaded the report and stated during a hearing, “Unfortunately, it seems that more often than not, abuse and neglect is the norm at these facilities, and they’re set up to let this happen.” He continued, “The system is failing, except the providers running these treatment facilities, who have figured out exactly how to turn a profit off taxpayer-funded child abuse.”
The report clearly lays out how companies like Vivant Behavioral Care and residential facilities like Brighter Path in Courtland, Alabama, use Medicaid and government agencies to fund facilities in which abuse and neglect are rampant and education is a last priority. In fact, just last month Brighter Path was found to be violating safety codes and at risk of losing its business license.
Knowles knows that this report is just one step towards accountability and change. “The congressional report is a positive step. For decades, children have been abused at these facilities. For decades, the abuse has been silenced,” Knowles says.
He has been fighting for victims of abusive practices in these facilities for years and knows that often litigation is the only way to hold these for-profit companies accountable, stating “The lawsuits we file against these facilities serve several purposes.” He continued, “1. Hold facilities accountable. 2. Bring awareness to this systemic abuse. 3. Let victims know they are not alone and do not have to be silent.”
With years of experience in this field, Knowles has seen first-hand the hardships families go through after finding out that a behavioral therapy facility for their teenager hurt them instead of helping them. A father of five himself, Knowles is a passionate and tireless advocate for children and underage victims of abuse.
If you are worried that your teenager is being abused or neglected at a behavioral correction center or school that was supposed to help them, then please call us at (205) 324-4008 to tell our attorneys about what is going on.
If you fear that your child could be in immediate danger of physical abuse, then please call the local authorities first.
Our firm is here to help you understand your legal options and represent you through all steps of the claims process. While we get to work on your case and fight for full compensation and justice, you can focus on healing your family and moving toward a brighter future together.
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