(NewsNation) — Seven American boys are in Jamaican protective custody after being removed from a school for troubled teens in the country that is facing allegations of abuse, an attorney told NewsNation.
According to an attorney representing one of the boys’ families that is trying to get their son home, the children have been held in Jamaican custody for weeks. And as of right now, there is no clear indication as to when they will be able to return to the U.S. to be reunited with their families.
These families are frustrated and currently have very few answers.
“The reality of the situation is, you know, any American traveling to a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country,” Michael McFarland, Cody Fleischman’s family attorney, said. “While everyone wishes that the U.S. Embassy could come in and just make everything right again, (there are) Jamaican authorities, and they did the right thing in this case.”
The seven U.S. boys attended Atlantis Leadership Academy in Treasure Beach, Jamaica, along the island’s south coast.
The school claims it specializes in helping teens, especially those struggling with anxiety, substance abuse and aggressive behaviors. It’s also advertised as a faith-based school and described as a place that parents send their children after they have exhausted all other options.
On Feb. 8, the Jamaican Child Protection and Family Services Agency removed the seven boys from the school. It comes after the agency heard reports the children were being abused.
The attorney for the parents of one of the boys told NewsNation they sent their 16-year-old son Cody Fleischman to the school last May. They hoped it would help him with aggressive behavior, but now they have serious regrets doing so.
“They’re investigating allegations of physical abuse, which would include beatings, also chokeholds, restraints, things like that. And neglect, which would include, you know, withholding food and not getting proper nutrition to the boys,” McFarland said. “He (Cody) had lost a significant amount of weight since entering into Atlantis. That’s my understanding. So, things of that nature are the allegations.”
The attorney for the Fleischman family says Cody’s mother got a chance to visit with him after a hearing earlier this month. However, it’s still not clear when the seven boys will be able to return home.
NewsNation reached out to the Atlantis Leadership Academy and the founder and director, Randall Cook, said he is “eager to have honest dialogue with a network such as NewsNation.” He also added he would be in touch soon “one way or the other.”
NewsNation has also learned the school has closed down.
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Author: Kelsey Kernstine
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