Knee deep : Lawsuits mount against Spring Creek Lodge
WWASPS Lawsuits (click here)
Amended Complaint (click here)
by John S. Adams
November 23, 2006
On Oct. 7, 2004, just days before her 17th birthday, Karlye Anne Newman slipped into a bathroom at Spring Creek Lodge Academy—a behavior modification boarding school outside Thompson Falls—and hanged herself in a stall with her sweatshirt.
The Sanders County Sheriff’s Department investigated Newman’s death, found no signs of foul play, and ruled it a suicide.
The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) also investigated Newman’s death. As a result of that investigation, a Montana PBS documentary recently revealed, DPHHS filed a child abuse and neglect complaint against Cameron and Chaffin Pullan, the twin brothers who own and operate Spring Creek Lodge. The case was ultimately dismissed, and due to a state law designed to protect juvenile victims of abuse, it remains sealed from public scrutiny. As a result, few details about DPHHS’ investigation or the facts surrounding Newman’s death have been revealed to the public.
Some of those facts may soon surface in court now that Karlye’s mother, Judith Newman, has filed a lawsuit against Spring Creek Lodge and the Pullans. Filed Nov. 6, the complaint alleges wrongful death, negligence, breach of contract and fraud on behalf of the school and its directors. It’s the third in a string of lawsuits filed this year naming Spring Creek Lodge as a defendant.
In March, former Spring Creek Lodge student Jonathan Herrick filed a lawsuit in Sanders County District Court alleging negligence and breach of contract by Spring Creek Lodge. Herrick’s suit claims Spring Creek’s inadequate staffing and oversight policies led to repeated physical and psychological assaults against him during the time he was a student there. The five-page complaint doesn’t detail the alleged abuses, other than to say that Herrick “suffered serious physical, mental and emotional injuries” while at Spring Creek. Polson attorney James Manley, lead counsel on both the Herrick and Newman lawsuits, declined to comment specifically on either case.
Additionally, in October Spring Creek was added to a long list of defendants in a lawsuit filed in federal district court in Utah. That suit alleges negligence, fraud, breach of contract, battery, assault, false imprisonment and racketeering violations—among others—on behalf of the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (widely known as WWASPS) and its associated programs, which until June included Spring Creek Lodge. The 36-page complaint currently lists 27 plaintiffs, though Dallas, Texas attorney Windle Turley said he expects to add “many more” to the suit in the coming months. Turley said he couldn’t comment on which of the complaint’s allegations pertain specifically to Spring Creek Lodge.
At press time the two Montana lawsuits had not yet been served. Spring Creek Program Director Mike Chism said Nov. 20 that Spring Creek officials weren’t aware of them and thus declined to comment. As for the Utah suit, Chism said, three plaintiffs are former Spring Creek students, though he declined to identify which three. He also said the three students had been enrolled in other WWASPS programs either prior to, or after leaving, Spring Creek.
“The lawsuit is really vague,” Chism said, noting that the complaint doesn’t specify whether any of the alleged crimes were supposed to have occurred at Spring Creek.
The Newman lawsuit, however, is more specific, and mirrors many of the allegations DPHHS initially made against the Pullans, as reported by Montana PBS.
According to the Newman lawsuit, Spring Creek’s program “was not designed or operated to provide quality or even adequate care” and the defendants “planned and operated Spring Creek Lodge Academy in such a manner that physical, educational, mental or emotional harm was consistently and foreseeably caused to the children at Spring Creek, including Karlye Newman.”
Karlye’s mother alleges that Spring Creek staff concealed the fact that Karlye was not progressing well in the program and that she had deteriorated physically, mentally and emotionally in the months she was enrolled at Spring Creek. Judith claims her daughter expressed “self loathing, hatred of her life there, depression and despair,” and that Karlye made repeated statements that she was going to kill herself, but that those statements were ignored by Spring Creek staff.
According to the Montana PBS documentary “Who’s Watching the Kids,” (which can be viewed online at http://www.montanapbs.org/WhosWatchingTheKids), DPHHS charged that Cameron and Chaffin Pullan, as officials of the school, neglected Karlye when she became suicidal by not providing her adequate therapy. “Who’s Watching the Kids?” also reported that DPHHS alleged that Spring Creek employees placed Karlye in solitary confinement for periods of hours, sometimes days, “damaging her mentally.” Finally, according to the documentary, the department alleged that Spring Creek’s method for keeping track of students was inadequate in that it left Karlye alone long enough to commit suicide.
A DPHHS hearings examiner initially dismissed the department’s complaint on the basis that 1) DPPHS lacked the legal authority to regulate the school; for that reason, the department can’t declare Spring Creek’s rules and regulations inadequate, and 2) the examiner didn’t believe DPHHS could prove its allegations of abuse and neglect. A district court judge upheld the hearings examiner’s ruling, and DPHHS appealed to the Montana Supreme Court before ultimately withdrawing the administrative charges.
In a statement issued by the school following Karlye Newman’s death, Spring Creek officials claimed that “SCLA [Spring Creek Lodge Academy] was acutely aware of the girl’s fragility and had placed her on ‘high risk’ observation. After showing signs of improvement, the 16-year-old student was recently removed from high risk after consultation with the student’s counselor, the assistant clinical director and four staff members who had worked closely with her.”
But Judith Newman claims the staff never sought or conducted a competent suicide evaluation for Karlye and then failed to take appropriate steps to monitor, supervise and protect the teen.
According to the complaint, Karlye was missing for more than an hour before she was discovered hanging in the bathroom.
“Defendants made no attempt to look for her, or otherwise protect her,” the complaint states. “When a staff member found Karlye hanging, the untrained and unqualified staff member ran out in panic. Defendants failed to provide immediate and necessary aid which might have saved Karlye’s life.”
Manley said he expects the Herrick and Newman lawsuits to go to trial sometime next year. Turley says it could be years before the Utah lawsuit goes to a jury trial.
jadams@missoulanews.com
Knee deep: Lawsuits mount against Spring Creek Lodge
I was the Junior Staff with her family before I left on my exit plan. She did voice how she wanted to die, so much so that people took it as a grain of salt, at first I thought she should have been on suicide watch, but no one seemed to really care. She was a sweetheart, and I hope the Newman’s get justice. I just looked her name up today and saw this article and a few others in regard to trials. Not only that, but SCLA was severely untrained on what to do for medical emergencies.
I was in Karlye’s family Destiny. I remember she was very disturbed, and would often shout things that couldn’t be understood. Other times she was very calm and warm. I’m glad places like this no longer exist. How very traumatic this was and I hope we can put these kinds of places to end for good.
I had left the year before in 2003 as Junior Staff Level 4. I had attended Spring Creek Lodge for 9 months. I found this article once my curiosity about the facility got the best of me. I too had thoughts of suicide while attending the program and unfortunately due to being demoted if I expressed my feelings, I did not tell anyone. What caught my attention was finding out this young lady had the opportunity and ability to act out her suicide attempt while staff was present. I hope her family gets justice, the lack of supervision and training is evident and her poor mental stability was clearly overlooked and resources were not provided for her. I am so sorry for the families loss and believe all secondary programs need to be evaluated by the CAICA and state more efficiently.
I stayed with in charity “family” which was next door to her “family”… my family sent me there knowing that this had happened
That is just horrible, I can’t even begin to understand how a parent could do that.
My name is Alicia Clark and I was in serenity House my counselor was Christy and I recall being placed on reflection several times just because I didn’t follow simple rules like looking out the window or talking to the wrong level see we all got grouped into levels depending on our point system if we didn’t have enough points we can’t even get salt and pepper on our food they were really strict with stupid rules but one thing I do recall is being slammed to the ground several different times for trying to run away from the place they use excessive force and used to always threaten us to be sent to Jamaica because they didn’t have no child labor laws there and they didn’t have to feed us because it wasn’t part of the rules I was I was discharged out the program and actually sent to a group home but they told everybody else that I went to Jamaica so they’d be scared to act out the way I did
Wow… I was at Spring Creek in 2001. I was in two families because they moved me from Excel to Wisdom. I actually told the on site psychologist (in an attempt to get transferred ANYWHERE) that I was going to smash a window, grab a shard of glass and start slitting throats and that 10 people would be dead before care flight got there, because I know their medical response was so limited that it could have really happened, and they knew it too, so they temporarily sent me to a hospital in Kalispell. I talked to my mom on the phone for the first time in months and she told me they wanted to send me to Jamaica, because they don’t have child protective laws in Jamaica. I’ll leave this comment there. May the Lord have mercy on her soul, and may justice be served. :,(
How do I get in contact with lawyers handling this. I pulled my daughter from this program after they found her cutting. I was not informed how bad things were getting with my daughter and the guilt Nd issues resulting from the experience still linger
I met a kid there who had over 20 slices on his wrists. He said he had never even thought about suicide before. I only saw him in solitary, or The Hobbitt. I think they only let me meet him to scare me of what could happen to me. This kid was now clearly suicidal and they kept him locked up in isolation. I never saw him outside. I always wondered if his parents ever saw pictures of his arms or even knew what was going on.
I was there in 1996 too 1997 am I entitled to anything I was one of there first 50 and saw the abuse how do I get involved with this I still deal with ptsd from there
How do I get in contact with lawyers handling this? My son was in the program for 1 1/2 years. He never progressed..spent so much time in the Hobbit.. I wasn’t allowed to talk to him. I am just now finding out the horrible abuse that went on there from his friends. Sadly, my son developed a drug problem after leaving the program. He never told me about any of this. I am appalled! My son died of a drug overdose almost 11 years ago. I feel that I need to speak for him.
Who do I speak to about my experiences at Spring Creek? I was there from 99-2000. Luckily I soon turned 18 and left before things got really bad. But I left a different person, that’s for sure, and certainly not for the better. My grandma was nearly brainwashed into spending her savings and Getting a second mortgage in order to send me there and to this day will not believe me when I try to tell her just how bad it was. Truly evil!
I did this search and i have to say im sorry for any teen or child to have to go through the pain and torment that i have gone through with these wwasp programs. SCL and Tranquility bay have left me scarred with horrible memories that i shall never get passed or at least what it feels like. Those schools should never have been in business to so called “help” adolescents. I remeber everything and have been doing everything to not remember. But still to this day i cry as I type this. The WWASP has hurt me physically and emotionally. If anything I can say to help get those assholes to be served justice, i will do. Those schools showed me what hell is and left me there wandering. Those schools have left me lost and searching for my peace. My name is Forrest William Cryderman And for whoever thinks its a great idea to sign over their parental rights to a school that doesnt let them contact their child, then you just left your child in utter doom, pain and anguish that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.
I did this search and i have to say im sorry for any teen or child to have to go through the pain and torment that i have gone through with these wwasp programs. SCL and Tranquility bay have left me scarred with horrible memories that i shall never get passed or at least what it feels like. Those schools should never have been in business to so called “help” adolescents. I remeber everything and have been doing everything to not remember. But still to this day i cry as I type this. The WWASP has hurt me physically and emotionally. If anything I can say to help get those assholes to be served justice, i will do. Those schools showed me what hell is and left me there wandering. Those schools have left me lost and searching for my peace. My name is Forrest William Cryderman And for whoever thinks its a great idea to sign over their parental rights to a school that doesnt let them contact their child, then you just left your child in utter doom, pain and anguish that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. And if someone wants to get ahold of me my number is 4089170436 if there is anything i can do to help my situation or another victim then plz feel free to use my number. WWASP you messed me up and wont let you damage another innocent soul.
Forrest I remember you, im pretty sure I might have unity fam photo somewhere. Damn I recently FOUND by accident a 3 ring binder completely filled with every photo and every letter from SCL…..Looking through that binder, made me want to throw up and made me want to kill myself then and there, As horrible as it sounds,. If u ever wanna talk bro 9713340059 hit me up. Right now i have no other option but to stay at my parents house. I was homeless during christmyass a few years ago Someone i met in jail of all places, This married dude with kids Offered me a place to stay on his couch as long as i needed too, Because he wanted to take someone whos already vulnerable as it is, and hed get me really drunk and then try to groom me Everyday hed give me 2 four lokos I though he was just being nice boy was i wrong. God i was so naive anyways this sicko would just sit and wait for me to be so out of it, when i was bending down to pick something up that i dropped my shorts were kinda sagging He Yanked emdown in the back and raped me in the ass on christmas eve,,Haha lucky for me though this is the one black dude with a like a 3 inch weiner haha Even though I was horrified by the thought of being used guess the universe finally gave me a break, Most of my turds are much bigger than his cock, that is the saving grace jesus sent me, he was done before i barely knew it LOL um But I choose to try to always think of the bright side even in fucked up situation. just because i dont get along with my dad doesnts mean
Um what the fuck dude
Please tell me how to contact these attorneys
Was there 97/98 – seriously fucked up
Do you have any memory of a girl first/last name:
ARIEL MULIN.
My girl friend that was sent to spring Creek for one year. You her name is :
EMILY BANTA
From Washington State . I ask because my girlfriend got befriended by a gril ( ARIEL MULIN) claiming to be the ring leader of the group. So I ask her , there is a room that’s is very special for the best of troubled kids, ” The Hobbit” , to find out her 26 month stay ,she never heard of THE HOBBIT. I know because of the stories my girlfriend spoke to me about and I have a good memory. I don’t know what to do. She is pretending to be a very special friend so much that she has to lie about something so serious like spring Creek. If anyone can help me ask and find out if Ariel Mulin says she who she says she is. I’m getting replaced by this imposter and I need help. . My name is Arturo Orrala and I have a 6 year old boy with Emily Banta , my girlfriend. I just don’t know what to do but to ask old members . Thank you guys , and thank you for your time .
Very respectfully,
Arturo Orrala
Veteran UNITED STATES NAVY
(323) 397-1726
Hello Arturo!
I have messaged the number provided. I wanted to share with you that ” The Hobbit” is very real. I know because I was placed there once before. Emily might not remember because it might’ve gone by another name, this was a place that people went to when staff had no control anymore of said persons, they’d go there for a sparring amount time either before they let them go back to their family or if they were about to be transferred. Ariel looks and sounds familiar and as she knows what she is talking about. She is not an imposter. She looks like someone from 2003 that came in right before I left. I cannot remember when Banta left, if it was before me or not? All I know is that I got along with Emily, and she was one of my best friends and the best bunky I ever had there. I hope she is doing well, and let her know I miss her humor.
I sent my son there and never believed the stories he told me. I thought he was blowing things out of proportion. I am sick right now knowing that I put him through this and I just wanted to help so he could get his life together. I have not seen any responses about how to get ahold of lawyers.. is there a class action lawsuit against them??
I was in this program from 2002-2017 and was treated like a prisoner the first time for 2 years strait that led me to being comfertable behind bars till I was able to get over the fact that there is more out there and it wasted all my teens and 20s. Can anybody help with me finding the right lawyer for this class action lawsuit my cell is 9169343811 and email is jamesteahannew23@gmail.com. Please contact me with any information
I was in destiny 03-04 with Karley I knew her well, we talking a lot, sometimes they would let her and I walk together on time out so she could talk to me, when she was upset….I still think about her everyday, and wish she made it out
How can I contact these attorneys? I was in spring creek total for about 6 years which was in worksheets for 16 months strait at first. I got a diploma there which it’s not valid and there was so much more. I was in resppect then honner then on upper levels ms. Darcy was my counselor please let me know cuz it just didn’t ruin my parents lives but mine as well made it so much harder. Please call me if anyone has any information on this 916 -934-3811. Thank u
My name is Teala Watts. I’m not looking for compensation. I was in Spring Creek for less than a week in the very late 80’s. What I encountered was not only horrific from the staff but the lack of segregation of individuals that were severally mentally ill vs the ones that had home trouble or prior trauma was criminal. The fresh food was rotten more often than not and rarely dispersed to the kids when needed.
I ran away.
Far away
It’s only lately that some social media has put things in front of me that sparked my interest into what happened to the place and the poor souls that ultimately had to stay there indefinitely.
I’m willing to speak with anyone there and hear their stories and where they are now.
How can I join the lawsuit with my testimonial???