Trails Carolina Tragedy: Child's Death Prompts Emergency Removal of Youths from Wilderness Camp

Trails Carolina emergency removal of youths wilderness camp child’s death North Carolina

By E.Baloyo , Parent Herald Feb 17, 05:06 am

Photo: (Photo : Erik S. Lesser /Getty Images)

Trails Carolina, a wilderness camp in North Carolina is given emergency removal of youths in their institution after a child's death.

Just recently, a 12-year-old boy's lifeless body was found in a nearby lake after arriving less than 24 hours in the camp. The body was found in Trails Carolina in Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, on the morning of Feb. 3 in the institution of troubled teens.

Due to the incident, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, which licenses the camp, said that the children at the camp were being moved elsewhere and had also suspended new admissions to the camp.

Probing Disturbing Details Surrounding the Child's Death in Trails Carolina

Law enforcement, spearheaded by the Transylvania County Sheriff's Office, is delving into the circumstances surrounding the child's untimely death at Trails Carolina.

Preliminary findings hint at a potential manslaughter case, with investigators disclosing that the young boy was discovered "cold to the touch" in his bunkhouse. These unsettling revelations raise questions about the efficacy of the camp's safety protocols.

The gravity of the situation has compelled the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the licensing authority for Trails Carolina, to take decisive action.

An emergency evacuation of youths has been mandated, accompanied by a suspension of new admissions. This rapid response underscores the immediate concerns about the camp's overall safety and the well-being of the children it houses.

State-Ordered Emergency Removal of Youths Sparks Dispute

However, the state's intervention in ordering the removal of youths has not unfolded without contention.

Trails Carolina, in a detailed response, has voiced criticism against the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, characterizing the decision as sudden and unwarranted.

The camp contends that the state coerced the removal of "18 vulnerable children" from a space purportedly conducive to healing, contrary to their parents' wishes. This dispute adds another layer of complexity to an already distressing scenario.

Amidst the controversy, Trails Carolina maintains its position on the child's death, asserting that it was accidental.

The camp extends condolences to the grieving family and pledges an exhaustive internal investigation to unravel the specifics behind the tragedy.

Yet, the diverging narratives between the camp and state authorities inject an air of uncertainty into an already emotionally charged situation.

Trails Carolina's Past Under the Microscope

Trails Carolina's history, marked by a previous incident in 2014, now faces renewed scrutiny. The tragic death of a 17-year-old who went missing from the camp and was later found deceased from hypothermia had previously raised concerns about the camp's operational and safety practices.

A 2021 investigation further highlighted Trails Carolina's delayed response during the 2014 incident, resulting in fines but permitting the camp to persist in its operations.

The current tragedy reopens wounds and intensifies scrutiny of Trails Carolina's commitment to the safety and well-being of the youths it serves.

The emergency evacuation of children, coupled with the ongoing investigation, emphasizes the challenges faced by wilderness camps catering to troubled youths and prompts broader questions about regulatory oversight for such facilities.

As the North Carolina community grapples with the emotional toll of this incident, there is a pressing call for openness, accountability, and a thorough examination of Trails Carolina's practices to prevent similar heart-wrenching occurrences in the future.