Allegations of abuse that have been reported by survivors include malnutrition/food deprivation, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and solitary confinement used as punishment. I had repressed memories of the physical, sexual, and psychological torture i endured for five years until I watched a documentary on the stanford prison experiment in my psychology class. I had to raise a baby cow for the slaughter to learn to deal with loss, exercise until I threw up blood, pick up cow shit every day, I could go on and on. Staff refusing to let kid use the bathroom, and making him pee/poop himself.
DISCOVERY RANCH - 20 Photos & 27 Reviews - Yelp But, the couple was later outspoken on social media about the extent to which they were helped by the Raney family. Although there are no support groups for people like us and since the program is so small & were from all over the country, it feels and looks very real that you may be alone, YOU ARE NOT. Your son will experience the value of hard work through daily chores and responsibilities. My parents (his Mom and step-father) note sending him away added to his sense of rejection started by peer abuse even though they were desperate due to his issues at home and school. While at Discovery Ranch, your son will participate in a variety of outdoor activities. I would estimate their rate of rehabilitation around 20%. Also, I would sit there and talk to my therapist while he takes notes and this is a direct quote is that it? Then the session was over. Before you would consider sending your son away, you need to know that he is going to a place you can trust. The moment I stepped foot on campus, I was treated like some sort of criminal. It is run like a prison. 25 votes, 28 comments. The average stay is OVER a year not under like they love to say. I ended up running away from this program and deciding on a much better program that actually wanted to help people. The pain doesnt just stop, they dont forget what you did to them, regardless of your intentions. You will also be able to observe your sons progress through our secure, password-protected parent portal. I am a victim of emotional and physical abuse by Discovery Ranch. NAAS is an organization that has accredited many notoriously abusive behavior-modification programs, including many WWASP programs. He previously worked at the confirmedly abusive Provo Canyon School, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of the WWASP organization.
Lawsuit Attorney For Grand Ledge - Michigan Lawsuit Attorneys TENA CAMPBELL U.S. District Court Judge. The reason I am writing this now is because I ended up becoming an alcoholic and drug addict once I went to college and had finally had complete freedom. I wish I could give negitive stars! They dont want to discuss whats actually wrong.
Residential Treatment Program for Teen Girls Ages 13-17 In other words, do not trust them. I dont know why but when i was there I never wanted to leave. At Discovery Ranch for Boys, all the professional departments work together. This place did not save my life it scared me to have problems. , I attended Discovery Ranch 5 years ago when I was 15 years old. Sure, we said all the things our parents wanted to hear once we got out, it was certainly drilled into us every single day, but that faded into a deep anger/depression that raised months, sometimes even years later, & you find yourself in worse condition than you were before entering DR; battling a demon 98% of people will never know. Staff refusing to let kid use the bathroom, and making him pee/poop himself. You can be assured that your son will not confront these challenges alone. I had no contact with the outside world except letters to my parents which were censored, and observed phone calls once a month. At one point during my stay, I saw my friend stab his arm repeatedly with a pencil, spraying blood all over me and the windowsill we were sitting on. Isnt that tax evasion? Find out more about the assessment. Please reach out to me for questions, I will do my best to educate you on what is happening and get you current information. . I thought I was actually crazy, but it was all real. The location is part of a dispute between the city and one tow truck company that filed a federal lawsuit on Dec. 2, 2020. In February of 2015, a former resident at DR and his family filed a lawsuit against the school reporting that the boy was violently and repeatedly sexually assaulted by another resident at the program. linus pauling vitamin c, lysine protocol. He began his career working in Admissions at, , which is widely regarded as the birthplace of the. Its sick and I hope in the future these places will be illegal and I will NEVER send my kids to one of these places. The website is misleading. My parents spent over $200,000 here before they realized I was not getting the help I needed. I dont believe that the people who tortured me were innately evil; i think it was a situation similar to Abu Ghraib. The main issue I have with this place is that it literally fucked up my education so bad that Im 17 and still in freshman English. It is NOT your fault and youre NOT a lesser being despite what DR drilled into you. (Yelp), 11/10/2013: (SURVIVOR) Link to Anonymous Survivor Testimony, 10/13/2013: (SURVIVOR) I attended Discovery Ranch 5 years ago when I was 15 years old. My first treatment center was Redcliffe ascent, and I did really well there.
Court does not dismiss case against Granby Ranch's owner We will not share your information. Before you would consider sending your son away, you need to know that he is going to a place you can trust. Brent Hall is reported by survivors to have run the facility. We have created this bond because unless you went through a detention center such as DR, you will not understand. I literally cant live with these memories. My son, although he enjoyed his stay, refused to be brainwashed, and therefore got nothing therapeutical out of his stay; only resentment and anger, and he gained knowledge how to manipulate therapists to his benefit. May their souls rest in peace. Basically non-existent education.
Lawsuit claims Utah rehab ranch broke its own rules by admitting an the licensed substance abuse counselor has obviously never touched a substance in her life. It brought everything back because I lived that experience, except for ten months and it was real. This type of environment makes reporting abuse and neglect impossible for teenagers. Aside from the obvious prejudice and discrimination, many of these conditions are not legitimate clinical impairments, and those that are require individualized care, which this facility does not provide., In February of 2015, a former resident at DR and his family filed a lawsuit against the school reporting that the boy was violently and repeatedly sexually assaulted by another resident at the program. This is not just a couple of resentful people. When you try to induct real truths into the once a week, 1/2 hour, monitored phone call, the therapist redirects you to la la land. Staff members are chosen at random, as the turnover rate is insanely high. You get used to the screaming and pleading for help, it becomes background noise. She currently works as the Residential Director at, is reported by survivors to have run the facility. We earned academic accreditation through Discovery Academy, Contact one of our well-trained representatives now. My parents (his Mom and step-father) note sending him away added to his sense of rejection started by peer abuse even though they were desperate due to his issues at home and school. ! , A family member of mine attended this school so everything I have heard is 2nd hand.
I was a student and am a survivor of Discovery Ranch, Utah. AMA! The location grew in popularity after rumors swirled that the land . I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. Basically non-existent education. I still hear screams from my friends being restrained in the back of my mind. I can still hear the screams of kids being restrained and having their arms pinned behind them and blood flow cut off because they didnt follow simple orders. The parents believe discovery ranch and most kids have no hope of anyone listening to them because they think no one believes them and they wont talk and they lie about it. They gave all the kids the same level of trust, none. Lawsuit filed March 3rd against the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF). I had an IEP at my old school because I cant learn that easily but the program directors convinced my parents I was too lazy to do work that I had trouble doing.
Ripoff Report | Discovery Ranch for girls complaints, reviews, scams discovery ranch lawsuit. Privileges to some might sound like being able to talk to friends, or having free time. The parties fought over depositions and the production of documents, among other things, in various states where witnesses were located. While some people purchase land for views or for the prospect of building a property, Duane Ollinger 's family bought the massive 160-acre Utah plot known as Blind Frog Ranch to search for buried treasure. They later sued the show, saying . The reviews on their website are COMPLETELY weeded before theyre posted. He said that he was abused by a staff member while there. I felt meaningless, worthless, like a pawn used to control my dads emotions, fishing out hundreds of thousands of dollars from him. Also a staff there named Matt polson threatened to restrain me several times. (During my stay, a kid in a different house was repeatedly raped by another kid for days until he was caught.) Countless amounts of times seeing staff restrain kids in inhumane ways. If you are at all struggling and/or would like to talk to someone who can relate, please do not hesitate to contact me through this post and Id be happy to exchange information so we can talk. Also a staff there named Matt polson threatened to restrain me several times. Discovery ranch was hell on earth for me. You might feel that you are all alone. He said that he was abused by a staff member while there.
Working at Discovery Ranch for Girls: 25 Reviews - Indeed The kids come out shell shocked, traumatized and fearful. Michele (Yelp), 2012: (PARENT) As a father I was treated poorly. The schooling they provide is a joke. We have all suffered enough, its time to heal and create a system that works. Carebear (Yelp), 2015: (SURVIVOR) This place is horrible. The amounts of times I screamed out loud in physical/mental exhaustion from being undermined and unheard is uncountable. It is run like a prison. This creates a streamlined experience for your son. The trauma Ive witnessed, and seen other kids witness was unbearable. THATS WHEN YOU KNOW THE PLACE IS TERRIBLE. , Beware the evil behind their smiling eyes! We can help your family. They picked favorites and we were treated like garbage. They often cause way more harm than good. Parents have no clue what they are getting themselves into by sending their children there.
What's the Deal With Kim and Josh's 'Homestead Rescue' Lawsuit? Our parents (his Mom and step-father) regret sending him there even all these years later. This merit system was easy for some kids to abuse, in one circumstance during my stay, a child was repeatedly raped, and was threatened with the merit system to get him to keep quiet. Your PRECIOUS child is NOT safe here! If you absolutely need mental support for your child, I suggest something that is close to home, and something that does not limit their ability to see and interact with the outside world. Duane and his son, Chad Ollinger, are trying to finish a goal set by Duane's own father. We found a traditional therapist that proved to be far more effective. The chidren cant even have open discussions with other inmates there for fear of being punished and losing privileges. Even when I started feeling feelings again I realized on Wednesday that I had been experiencing emotions with maybe 50-75% of the intensity that I normally should, which was put into perspective when I finally accepted that these things truly happened to me and felt for the first time in my life the appropriate pain and humiliation that corresponds to being treated in such a way for such an extended period of time. We earned academic accreditation through Discovery Academy. The discovery process was contentious, especially with respect to the Aaron Ranch Lawsuit, and went on for years in state court. BE CAREFUL OF THEM. , This place is sickening. Abuse at its finest.. we were totally and utterly underfed, one morning we were fed one mini bagel and one cream cheese. STOP DISCOVER RANCH they will play you out of so much money its unbelievable. It got heated on the ranch and Duane kept referring to this person as a "freeloader." The ranch hasn't been short of intruders, in many forms including surveillance cameras and spy drones. As part of the therapeutic learning process, all boys participate in weekly ropes activities that build character and help develop lifelong skills. Those goals are helping your son learn, grow, and heal so that your family can be a family again. If you are at all struggling and/or would like to talk to someone who can relate, please do not hesitate to contact me through this post and Id be happy to exchange information so we can talk. If you have any logic in your brain in the slightest then you should realize how goddamn stupid it would be to send your kid to this shit hole. , Its been about 8-9 years since I left DR; Im now 25 and although I dont dwell on what happened so much anymore, this place has had such a negative impact on my life. I ended up running away from this program and deciding on a much better program that actually wanted to help people. For many parents, this focus on parental participation is the reason they choose our program. I am not the only victim. These programs are money makers. We have all suffered enough, its time to heal and create a system that works. , This place is horrible. if I saw him today i would punch him in the face. These issues include: At Discovery Ranch for Boys, all the professional departments work together. 54A District Court 124 W. Michigan Ave., #54A Lansing, MI 48933 (517) 483-4433 Court Website. There was never any you can do it it was you better do it or youre going to be put on mc and never get out of here. Im in therapy, on medication, have been to three AA meetings in the past three days, and just feel like I am out of options and suicide or getting constantly fucked up is my only option at this point. Seek other avenues for your child. , This is the worst place to send your child. if I saw him today i would punch him in the face. We were treated like we were in prison, and if we stepped out of line, we had our privileges taken away. My brother noted some of the staff was wonderful and he used their tips to get through challenges after his father died (my Moms 1st husband). And the scariest part was that it was fantastic during the day; we would do ropes courses and go skiing and horseback riding and talk to a truly kind therapist every day who genuinely though I was insane or a pathological liar and convinced me I was hallucinating or having nightmares. If you absolutely need mental support for your child, I suggest something that is close to home, and something that does not limit their ability to see and interact with the outside world. The reviews on their website are COMPLETELY weeded before theyre posted. Also MAY I NOTE THAT THEY ARE SO DESPERATE THAT THEY NEED THEIR OWN STAFF MEMEBERS TO WRITE REVIEWS. We provide a safe, home-like environment for your son. We do all this so that you can know your son is safe with us. Paris Hilton just came out with a documentary on her experience at another abusive program just down the street from DR. The Clinical, Academic, Residential, and Experiential departments all work together. Also if you notice, a large majority of the 5 star ratings are from former staff as opposed to parents/students. William (Google Reviews), 6/1/2020: (SURVIVOR) Through my stay I personally witnessed: Two suicide attempts. If anything, kids got worse from being here. Research shows this is the best approach to help your son and family heal mentally, physically, and emotionally. Your community does not have the resources to help. I will never forgive Discovery Ranch for the damage they did to me, and the damage they continue to do to future generations. After I graduated I was transferred to discovery ranch. After discovery ranch I couldnt even talk to my parents for months because of the trauma it caused me. (and have it be removed weeks later). My brother was at the Ranch over a decade ago. John (Yelp), 10/28/2019: (SURVIVOR) There are plenty of articles that prove why Discovery Ranch is dangerous for the mental development of children. We also understand that every teen and every family is unique. Every part of Discovery Ranch, from the amazing campus to the nationally accredited Academic Program, helps to promote growth and healing. I cannot even put into words the pain I feel even today when my experience gets brought up or when I read about other kids that are STILL suffering from having to go through this program. These experiences will teach your son values like Responsibility, Grit, Honesty, Respect, Courage, Kindness, and Accountability. Although you move on and mature, its a wound that never fully heals and cuts deep. These programs are money makers. Discovery Ranch South offers the perfect healing environment for troubled teens with mental health or behavioral issues.
Stages of a Personal Injury Case - FindLaw They do a terrific job at keeping kids quiet. Parents have no clue what they are getting themselves into by sending their children there. It sickens me that even after the kid is out of this place they threaten to send them back to this horrible place. Please. There thieves taking advantage of parents dispositions and they should be shut down , After my daughter was here for here for 2 months her condition worsened and she started having suicidal thoughts which had never happened before.When I met with her Dr. Reading these reviews it is obviously a place that needs to make some changes if the accusations are correct. Craig Smith worked as the Clinical Director of Discovery Ranch. Anyone is free to fact check this, and contact me with further questions [redacted]. I have constant dreams where bugs are crawling all over my skin and I wake up screaming from anxiety. To them, there is one way that every kid learns, and if you have learning disabilities thats too fucking bad and ask the doctor to raise your meds the next time he comes. On top of that I was forced to study 7 hours straight on the weekends if I didnt meet academic requirements. I am at a loss for what to do at this point. They do a terrific job at keeping kids quiet. I am a victim of emotional and physical abuse by Discovery Ranch. 1308 South 1600 West, Mapleton, Utah 84664, . Eaton County Circuit Court 1045 Independence Blvd. The school uses research to help create an individualized treatment plan for each teen. The protocols here suck, and do absolutely nothing in the way of help. We were victims of abuse. The Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch, which airs on Discovery Channel, is currently in its fifth season. After essentially being re-traumatized after remembering all this, I recently went on a five day bender started Wednesday where I got high and or drunk every waking moment, which culminated with me waking up on my bathroom floor on Monday morning covered in blood and vomit next to two empty bottles of wine and Xanax spilled across the floor with a five page suicide note on my computer that Id written in a blackout. Id go on to say I have PTSD. It is NOT your fault and youre NOT a lesser being despite what DR drilled into you. (During my stay, a kid in a different house was repeatedly raped by another kid for days until he was caught.) My brother noted some of the staff was wonderful and he used their tips to get through challenges after his father died (my Moms 1st husband). Your son will have the opportunity to build the strength and resilience he needs to thrive at home. Non-Verbal Learning Disability including High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD). This investigative process is aptly named "discovery," because it often turns up facts and documents that were previously unknown -- to at . However, your teen is still troubled and your family is still in crisis. Also if you notice, a large majority of the 5 star ratings are from former staff as opposed to parents/students. , Through my stay I personally witnessed: Two suicide attempts. Also they lie to the kids about the effects of marijuana, such as the claim that you can withdrawal from it, but I know that isnt true. Even though I have left the program, if I dont follow their horribly rigorous and reclusive aftercare rules I go back. It is marketed as a Residential Treatment Center for teenage boys aged 13-18 with emotional and behavioral issues. DR does not accept transgender males. They are left up to their own with limited to no help from the teachers. Your family is struggling. He also is the Executive Director of, . Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch is a show on the Discovery Network about a rancher and his son who operate a 160-acre ranch in Utah. When you try to induct real truths into the once a week, 1/2 hour, monitored phone call, the therapist redirects you to la la land. No one deserves what they really do to people. The schooling they provide is a joke. A friend of mine stabbing his arm 15+ times with a pencil. Although the system failed us, my peers and I have created somewhat of a little support group to cope and its helped us tremendously. Reading these reviews it is obviously a place that needs to make some changes if the accusations are correct. We have experience working with a variety of behavioral and emotional issues. There is a culture of caring and respect, but also of excellence and high expectation both for staff and students. And the scariest part was that it was fantastic during the day; we would do ropes courses and go skiing and horseback riding and talk to a truly kind therapist every day who genuinely though I was insane or a pathological liar and convinced me I was hallucinating or having nightmares. With the help of a REAL rehab and AA, I had achieved 14 months sober. It makes me fucking sick that this place, along with HUNDREDS of others, still exists, quietly protected under the umbrella of the state government of Utah, and that parents are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for their children to be tortured and driven insane or into obedient, soulless sociopaths. Anonymous (Tales from the Black School), 7/8/2013: (SURVIVOR) DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO DISCOVERY RANCH IF YOU CARE ABOUT THEM! My mind sometimes uncontrollably cradles and turns to static when I hear the same radio noise as the staff used at DR. Also, I would sit there and talk to my therapist while he takes notes and this is a direct quote is that it? Then the session was over. Overpriced, over rateddo not send your child there if you care about them. This isnt how we should treat precious children The staff have no idea how much damage theyre doing as theyre just following orders This is a mess it needs to be shut down.. Both boys have turned out well however, my brother has trauma from the experience. Yes, we have an amazing ranch!! They dont let parents talk freely to their own child. When I came back to real life I had forgotten how to smile and had to train myself to make facial expressions that corresponded to the emotions I should have felt in various circumstances. We all cope in our own ways, but if we can help by sharing our experiences and what we learned, theres not a single one of us that would turn down a younger DR peer that is currently battling our same battles. 0. This is not just a couple of resentful people. Therapy was more like brainwashing than therapy. I would estimate their rate of rehabilitation around 20%. They only allow astonishing ones to pass. You are a survivor of an abusive environment that is very similar to a prison. There is not enough research of the negative effects places like DR have on a young person, people dont like to talk or hear about places like DR, the system is extremely flawed, its a corporation that works very hard to keep you there as long as possible for obvious financial reasons while hiring unqualified staff. The trauma Ive witnessed, and seen other kids witness was unbearable. In addition, your son will experience many opportunities to explore Utah. Overpriced, over rateddo not send your child there if you care about them. Regardless of what they were there for, NO ONE SHOULD EVER BE TREATED AS INHUMANELY AS CHILDREN SUCH AS MYSELF WERE. Our parents (his Mom and step-father) regret sending him there even all these years later. I was 15 years old.
Parent's lawsuit: Grand Ledge Board of Education violated FOIA law - Yahoo! I suggest seeking different options for your child. First, let me begin by stating that sending your kid anywhere is a traumatic experience they will have for the rest of their life. It began with a lawsuit filed by Hannah Archuleta, who appeared on Dr. Phil in 2019 and then went to the Turn-About Ranch. Im scared to mention my real name because Discovery Ranchs aftercare program still controls my life. They report that in January 2104, the boy was placed in a dorm at Discovery Ranch with three other boys, one who began grooming him and another resident for sexual victimization until he was violently sodomized. The attacker used threats of violence, coercion, guilt, and the merit system of Discovery Ranch to manipulate (the boy) to avoid reporting increasingly deviant sexual behaviors, including discussions about sex, pornography, masturbation, and sexual violence. According to the complaint, Discovery Ranchs merit system also prevented (him) from reporting the assaults because he believed that his inferior status and past interactions with Discovery Ranch staff and administrators would result in him being punished if he attempted to disclose the assaults. The family claims the sexual assaults went undiscovered and unchecked throughout the months of January and February and were only revealed when he [the assailant] was transferred from Discovery Ranch after being discovered engaging in bestiality with a horse. The family says that Discovery Ranch failed to adequately investigate the assailant for psychosexually deviant and violent tendencies before admitting him to Discovery Ranch and placing him in the dorm. Additional Information: Discovery ranch seems to actively try to remove as many negative reviews as they can, many were mine being removed over and over. This type of environment makes reporting abuse and neglect impossible for teenagers. The lawsuit filed by the staff parents said the couple joined Eagle Ranch as staff parents in April 2020 and ended their employment in January 2022. This creates a streamlined experience for your son. discovery ranch lawsuit. In addition to taking part in the equine therapy and horsemanship programs, he will have access to the fully-equipped music studio. Discovery ranchs idea of privileges is being able to sit on something other than hard wood chairs. They lied and were mainpulative, and power tripped all the time. He previously worked at Provo Canyon School, which is widely regarded as the birthplace of the WWASP organization. You Have Questions, We Have Answers. Are they just being a teenager? We respect your privacy. It makes me fucking sick that this place, along with HUNDREDS of others, still exists, quietly protected under the umbrella of the state government of Utah, and that parents are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for their children to be tortured and driven insane or into obedient, soulless sociopaths. , DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO DISCOVERY RANCH IF YOU CARE ABOUT THEM! In addition, survivors have reported that on the off-chance that they are able to inform their parents of abuse, their parents are manipulated by DR into believing that their child is lying and being manipulative in an attempt to be pulled from the program. The boat bought with funds by Discovery Ranch was not once used for the kids, the owners just use it for personal use. We were victims of abuse. Allegations of abuse that have been reported by survivors include: According to a Thesis published in 2015 by Catherine Kushan, Discovery Ranch, a treatment center located in Mapleton, Utah, provides an empirical example of how this industry rhetorically manipulates legitimate psychiatric conditions to solicit clients.