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Report details physical, verbal abuse at another NC mental health facility

By Liz Foster
By Liz Foster

RAEFORD, N.C. — A 70-page inspection report details physical and verbal abuse at the Canyon Hills Treatment Facility in Raeford.

The report follows Channel 9’s investigations into similar cases at Strategic Behavioral Center in Charlotte and Anderson Health Services in Union County.

[LINK: Full report into abuse allegations at Canyon Hills Treatment Facility]

Channel 9 anchor traveled more than 100 miles to Canyon Hills Treatment Facility in Raeford to investigate if it is a systemic problem statewide.

The sign out front of the facility says, “Giving children back their childhood,” but kids as young as 6 years old there were treated worse than prisoners, according to allegations detailed in the report obtained by Channel 9.

Past coverage:

Canyon Hills, in Hoke County, is a 24-bed in-patient psychiatric treatment center for boys, ages 6-17.

However, state investigators noted “serious abuse” involving at least seven kids.

A nurse reportedly witnessed staff “slap them up” and “choking a kid.” Bruises were documented on several kids, noted by nurses or parents, not staff at the facility.

In the report, a 9-year-old former client at Canyon Hills said a staffer rubbed spit across the boy’s face and then kicked him in the groin. His mother told an investigator, “He looked like he had been through a war zone.”

Dr. Frank Gaskill, a psychologist who specializes in behavior difficulties with kids, told Channel 9 the culture of staff at these types of facilities often reflect the culture of the kids, and it doesn't get better unless there's strong leadership.

“They’re just being allowed to stay angry and to stay violent and to stay hurt and upset. It’s a travesty,” Gaskill said.

Local law enforcement investigated abuse allegations by staff, but the report claims the facility failed to report those allegations of abuse to the state, which is required.

According to the report, when interviewed by a state investigator, a teen at the center said he was told, “They do not need to eat a lot. Your stomach will shrink and then you will not be hungry.”

North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human services suspended Canyon Hill from accepting new patients and is now moving to revoke the facility's license.

Foster attempted to speak with the facility’s CEO Wednesday, and was told to leave.

There are only 30 treatment centers like that in North Carolina.

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