>>Lawsuit alleges abuse, neglect of another minor in Tuskegee mental health facility

Another former resident filed a civil lawsuit against Sequel TSI of Tuskegee — along with several of its associated businesses, administrators and its rebranded name Brighter Path Tuskegee — on Thursday.

The suit alleges that the facility and its employees neglected and abused a 15-year-old boy during his seven-week stay there in the fall of 2021. The lawsuit only refers to the boy, who is a minor, as G.P. to protect his identity.

“G.P. endured sexual, physical and verbal abuse from staff and other residents while in the facility. On his fourth day in the facility, he was the victim of an attempted sexual assault,” the lawsuit states. “Although he reported this horrific incident, the employees responsible for his safety failed to protect him from retaliation. As a result, he was subjected to severe bullying and physical assaults on a daily basis.”

It goes on to describe numerous black eyes, bloody noses and bite marks that the boy reported during his time in Sequel’s care. The lawsuit also recounts an instance when the boy attempted suicide by swallowing dozens of Tylenol pills. It alleges that staff refused to take him to the hospital until the next day.

At least four other lawsuits have been filed against this specific Sequel facility in Tuskegee, all alleging similar incidents of abuse.

In September 2022, the Montgomery Advertiser reported on the series of claims against Sequel Tuskegee and other state-contracted mental health facilities for children in Alabama. Claims of abuse in these Alabama facilities date to at least 2017.

After NBC News published a scathing report of violence and deplorable conditions inside of Sequel Youth & Family Services facilities in 2020, several states that contracted with the company severed their ties.

In Alabama, though, the facilities remain open under a new name: Brighter Path.

“The Tuskegee facility is just one part of the ‘exploited teen industry,’ a multibillion-dollar network of for-profit youth residential facilities where widespread abuse and neglect have been uncovered,” Birmingham attorney Tommy James said in a statement. “The shocking abuses, neglect and even deaths that occur within these unregulated facilities directly stem from prioritizing profits over the safety and well-being of children.”

James filed the Thursday lawsuit against Sequel TSI of Tuskegee and related parties on behalf of the minor and his father, who are alleging the abuse. Jeremy Knowles of the Morris Haynes law firm also represents the father and son.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for physical, emotional and psychological harm.

“It’s high time that the dark underbelly of this industry is exposed and those responsible are held accountable,” James said in a statement.

Resources for help

In accordance with federal law, the Alabama Department of Youth Services has a Prison Rape Elimination Act Coordinator who may be reached at 1-334-604-4233 to report suspected sexual abuse that has happened at a DYS or private contract service provider facility. The department also operates the DYS Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-855-332-1594.

This story deals with suicide and mental health issues. If you’re in a crisis, there is a new federal program designed to help. You can call or text 988 to connect with a trained mental health counselor. The $423 million program replaces the National Suicide Hotline. It is designed to assist callers through an immediate crisis and help them find services in their area for follow-up care.

Hadley Hitson covers the rural South for the Montgomery Advertiser and Report for America. She can be reached athhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to the Advertiser or donate to Report for America.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Lawsuit filed in long line of youth facility abuse claims in Alabama