Inside the "troubled teen" industry, when help sometimes does more harm
Summary
Taylor Kiesel, a young woman diagnosed with autism and struggling with mental health since childhood, was sent to a residential treatment center called Change Academy Lake of the Ozarks (CALO). She and her family later joined a lawsuit alleging neglect and abuse at the facility, which faces multiple complaints and police reports over the years, while CALO denies wrongdoing.Key Facts
- Taylor Kiesel was diagnosed with autism in first grade and showed self-harm thoughts by age six.
- After years of therapy and hospital stays, Taylor’s family placed her in CALO, a residential treatment center in Missouri.
- Taylor and other families are suing CALO with claims including emotional distress and battery.
- CALO has had over 400 sheriff’s office calls in ten years related to the facility’s address.
- Reports describe violence inside CALO, including children harming themselves, assaults on staff, and other dangerous incidents.
- At least four former CALO employees were convicted of crimes such as sexual assault and possession of child pornography.
- Missouri authorities have found cases of physical and sexual abuse at CALO over the past 20 years.
- CALO says all incidents were reported, employees went through background checks, and those involved were dismissed.
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