North Carolina Wilderness Camp Facing Scrutiny After 12-Year-Old's Tragic Death

North Carolina Wilderness Camp Under Investigation After Tragic Death

A North Carolina wilderness camp for troubled adolescents, Trails Carolina, is under investigation following the tragic death of a 12-year-old boy less than 24 hours after arriving at the facility. The Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office described the boy's death as "suspicious," and an autopsy revealed that it "appeared to not be natural."

Mysterious Circumstances Surrounding the Boy's Death

The unnamed boy, who was transported from New York to Trails Carolina Camp by two individuals, was discovered unresponsive in his cabin by staff members the morning after his arrival. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, emergency responders pronounced him deceased at the scene.

The camp's response to the incident has raised further questions, with the Sheriff’s Office stating that Trails Carolina has not fully cooperated with the investigation. This was disputed by the camp through a public relations firm, asserting that they have fully cooperated and conducted internal and external investigations, neither of which found evidence of wrongdoing or unsafe conditions.

Controversial Past and Legal Issues

Trails Carolina has a controversial history, with this being the second death of a camper in the past decade. In 2014, a 17-year-old boy tragically passed away after wandering away from the camp. Furthermore, the camp has been cited for deficiencies by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, including failures in staff training and the use of restrictive interventions.

Legal troubles have also plagued Trails Carolina, as federal court records show a lawsuit filed in 2022 and again in 2023, alleging that a student was molested at the camp. The camp has denied these allegations and the case is ongoing.

Ongoing Investigations and Scrutiny

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has been on-site investigating the recent incident and is collaborating with local authorities. As the investigations continue, the camp's practices and history are under intense scrutiny, particularly concerning the safety and well-being of its young attendees.

Trails Carolina's claims of conducting thorough internal and external investigations will face careful examination in light of the tragic events and the camp's regulatory history. As the investigation unfolds, the camp's future operations and the safety of its residents hang in the balance.