May 2006

VisionQuest - Pennsylvania and Arizona

It looks like VisionQuest's days of flying under the radar have come to an end and they are back in the news in multiple states.

There are more problems at VisionQuest's South Mountain location in Pennsylvania.

Local news outlets have reported that at least 2 children have run away from the facility in recent days.

Earlier this month we reported a riot at the very same VisionQuest location.

I know most people blame this kind of thing on the kids - they're bad, delinquents, addicts, etc.

But the underlying truth of the situation is that kids usually don't riot at, or run away from, good programs.

And there is very sad news coming from Arizona.

Apparently 16 year-old Ian Dawkins didn't receive much help at the VisionQuest campus in that state.

The Arizona Star reports that Ian is facing first-degree murder charges.

Ian is accused of killing his own father.

Full Story

posted May 31, 2006

Dundee Ranch Academy - Costa Rica

The southern-most jewel in WWASPS's crown isn't sparkling so much right now.

Information from a reliable source indicates that owner Narvin Lichfield is being PROSECUTED by Costa Rican authorities and WILL stand trial sometime soon - possibly within the next 3 months.

Lichfield is facing felony charges of keeping children at the facility against their will and violating their civil/human rights by denying them food, education, and communication with parents, and subjecting children to isolation, humiliation, and physical abuse.

This has been a looooong time coming.

Costa Rican officials raided the camp in May 2003, hauled Lichfield's ass (and his cheap wig) to jail, and sent the kids back to the U.S.

The actions of the Costa Rican's also concerned South Carolina officials so much they banned him from being on the grounds of Carolina Springs Academy - another WWASPS program he owns.

In a curious "coincidence" of timing, Lichfield donated $10,000 to the President of Costa Rica a few months following the raid.

Sorry, Narvy, but uh, it looks like that tactic works better for you and your brother here in the U.S.

Wwaspsinfo.net has all the info on Dundee Ranch and the Lichfield clan.

posted May 31, 2006

Hope Youth Ranch - Louisiana

8 current and former staff members of Hope Youth Ranch were charged with negligent homicide in the death of 12 year-old Alex Harris.

Alex died of dehydration and head trauma after staff members punished the boy by forcing him to run for an extended period of time.

Staff members refused to give Alex water during the run.

They also locked themselves in an air-conditioned truck while Alex was literally running himself to death.

After Alex collapsed, another child picked him up off the ground, but dropped Alex when he began vomiting.

Negligent homicide carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison.

posted May 24, 2006

VisionQuest - Pennsylvania

A fight between 2 girls turned into a riot at Vision in Pennsylvania.

According to news reports, Pennsylvania State Troopers and police from several surrounding counties were called to the facility.

Only minor injuries were reported.

8 girls were taken into custody and will likely not return to VisionQuest.

VisionQuest operates several facilities for "problem teens" in the U.S.

The organization has largely stayed out of the spotlight in recent years, however numerous deaths occurred at VisionQuest facilities in the 80's & 90's.

posted May 13, 2006

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