Boy dies at Sagewalk

[Anonymous]

Very sad this happened.

[Antigen]

 Haven't there been a few documented instances of "negligence" or outright foul play at various coroners in relation program deaths?  One case having to do with a spider bite if I remember correctly.

Yup. Roberto Reyes
http://www.closethayerlearningcenter.co ... oreyes.asp

I heard there are finally criminal charges against Willa Bundy, owner of Teen Life Skills Center (fka Thayer Learning Center.... never known as Tender Lovin Care)

[TheWho]

He actually has a good point.  Wouldnt you want to wait to find out what the cause of death was before adding him to a victims list?  I think that is a valid question?

Sure it's possible he had some undiagnosed heart condition or something, but given the way so many other kids have died in wilderness programs i'd me more inclined to attribute it (as a guess) to neglect or abuse.

Oscar did also raise some valid concerns about the autopsy.  If I were the parents I would request a second one (I doubt they will, however).  Haven't there been a few documented instances of "negligence" or outright foul play at various coroners in relation program deaths?  One case having to do with a spider bite if I remember correctly.

So its all up in the air at this point.  I guess my questions was why not wait a few days or weeks for the official report before deciding for ourselves what the cause of death was and who was responsible?  
Its better to establish a procedure based on accuracy and facts then on prejudging based on gut feel or personal feelings towards the industry is all I am saying.

[TheWho]

Lake County sheriff's officials say the autopsy results could take up to two weeks. In the meantime, SageWalk can legally continue to operate the school with its five other students on private lands only.

In response to questions from NewsChannel 21, Mike Bednarz, SageWalk's executive director, wrote to say that"SageWalk follows established best practices and protocols that may delay an incoming student from beginning a hike with the other students based on the results of their admissions history and physical .... but due to HIPAA regulations, I cannot comment on the specific history of this young man."

[Ursus]

UPDATED: Portland teen collapses, dies at camp for troubled youth in Lake County
September 02, 2009 11:23 AM
KOIN-TV and staff reports


Sergey Blashchishen

LAKEVIEW, Ore. -- Police are investigating the death of a 16-year-old Portland boy who collapsed and died during a wilderness hike Friday at a youth camp for troubled teens in northern Lake County.

The teen died while hiking in northern Lake County on Friday after arriving at the Sage Walk Wilderness School in Redmond the day before.

Sergey Blashchishen had dropped out of Park Rose High School as a freshman and his mom, Lyudmila Blashchishen, said he wanted to attend to the boot camp before returning to school.

Originally from Uzbekistan, he came here with his family more than a decade ago. His mom said the oldest of her two sons will take some getting used to.

"I was shocked the first two days i couldn't believe it you know and it was really hard and it's still so hard you know -- it will take some time to get used to it," she said, adding he was a good kid.

Sage Walk Wilderness School began in Redmond in 1997, providing what it calls wilderness therapy.

Its executive director says in a statement "Sage Walk considers student safety our number one priority, and takes this incident very seriously," adding "we currently meet or exceed all state and industry standards."

Still, Sergey's family doesn't understand how a boy who passed a sports physical on Thursday could die on a hike the following day.

"Because a 16-year-old boy full of energy never was sick never health problems could die from a hiking, kind of unbelievable for me," Sergey's mom said. "But it's almost five days today and we still don't know the truth, you know."

An autopsy is pending, although Sergey's mom says the county medical examiner initially told her his death appeared to be heat-related.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office is investigating and the Bureau of Land Management has pulled the boot camp's permit to hike on federal land.


Copyright © 2009 Freedom Communications

[Ursus]

Breaking News
Posted: Sep 3, 2009

SageWalk
Bend, OR

A Statement from SageWalk

Contact:
Mike Bednarz
Executive Director
SageWalk, The Wilderness School
mbednarz@sagewalk.com

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

SageWalk Wilderness School is saddened to confirm the unfortunate death of one of our students on Friday, August 28th. At this time, the exact details of the incident are still being determined. The student had just been admitted into our program the day before, and we do not have any further details of what may have caused his passing. We do know that our EMT-trained staff worked tirelessly with the student until the AirLink emergency helicopter arrived on the scene, at which time the student's care was turned over to the AirLink medics.

SageWalk considers student safety our number one priority and takes this incident very seriously. Over the course of our 12 year history, our program has adhered to the highest standards of care and we currently meet or exceed all industry and state standards. We were the first wilderness program to be individually accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, and we are licensed by the State of Oregon to work with students who are experiencing issues with substance abuse and are also licensed by the State of Oregon as both an Outdoor Youth Program and Private School.

We are making every effort to lend support during this difficult time. We are extending every resource we can to help the young man's family through their loss, and we have made EAP services available to our staff. In addition, our staff is working with the affected students.

Due to the limited information available, HIPAA regulations, and out of respect for the student's family, this is all we are able to communicate at this time. We appreciate your continued support.

Sincerely,

Mike Bednarz


Copyright © 2009, Woodbury Reports, Inc.

[TheWho]

Its good to see these places finally getting EMT's on staff with these kids.  We didnt see this 15 or 20 years ago.

[Ursus]

Its good to see these places finally getting EMT's on staff with these kids.  We didnt see this 15 or 20 years ago.

We still don't see it. "Our EMT-trained staff," that is, having staff trained by EMTs in some CPR moves or some such, is hardly the same thing as having actual "EMT's on staff" as you allege.

[TheWho]

Its good to see these places finally getting EMT's on staff with these kids.  We didnt see this 15 or 20 years ago.

We still don't see it. "Our EMT-trained staff," that is, having staff trained by EMTs in some CPR moves or some such, is hardly the same thing as having actual "EMT's on staff" as you allege.

Agreed its not the same thing.  Having EMTs show up isnt the same as having a doctor show up in an emergency also.  But the point is that the staff is getting Emergency Medical Training which is much better then they had a decade ago.

[Ursus]

Here's another news piece... Comments section will be copied in the post immediately following this one.

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Investigation under way in Redmond wilderness camp death
By Nina Mehlhaf, KTVZ.COM
Posted: Sep 2, 2009 06:21 PM

Autopsy results awaited as a mother grieves


Sergey Blashchishena

A Portland mother is talking about the death of her teenage son at a Redmond-based wilderness school. But it's not the first time this has happened at camps here.

Sergey Blashchishena, 16, died Friday during his first hike with Redmond's SageWalk Wilderness School.

His death in a remote area more than 60 miles east of Bend may be purely medical, or it may be related to something else, and that uncertainty has officials in many different agencies waiting.

Blashchishena was depressed and dropped out of school last year, his mother Lyudmila says.

Going a different route, she says they chose SageWalk Wilderness of Redmond, which teaches troubled kids stability and values through the outdoors.

"I was trying to encourage him," Lyudmila told our Fox news affiliate in Portland. "I was trying to tell him, education is very important to him, but he didn't want to hear any of that."

On Friday, Sergey's first day, he was hiking with five other classmates in Lake County. Lyudmila says she was told he vomited, then collapsed, died and couldn't be resuscitated. He was athletic and had just passed a physical the day before.

"They checked him, they did a medical exam for him, they allowed him to go to this activity," she said.

The camp has now had its permit to use BLM land suspended, pending autopsy results.

BLM officials say they're waiting on the sheriff's and state Department of Human Services investigations into the death and if the camp was in any way negligent or didn't follow state regulations.

"It's a fairly normal practice for us to temporarily suspend a license until we have more information and we prefer to err on the side of protecting youth," said Carol Benkoksy, district manager of the BLM's Lakeview District.

There are four wilderness therapy schools in Central Oregon. Back in 2000, a 15-year-old Washington boy died on an outing with the now-defunct Bend wilderness school Obsidian Trails.

A teacher held him face-down after an outburst, but was never indicted on homicide charges. Two other students from the same school were arrested after escaping and stealing a car in 1999.

Nationally, 10 kids have died at schools like these, prompting a bill now going through Congress that would tack on additional state and new federal safety regulations preventing child abuse.

SageWalk's parent company says it's not a boot camp, instead using therapists to get through to kids, not harsh words.

Sergey's tearful mom just wants to know what happened to her son: "It's hard. Yeah, he was a very strong child."

Lake County sheriff's officials say the autopsy results could take up to two weeks. In the meantime, SageWalk can legally continue to operate the school with its five other students on private lands only.

In response to questions from NewsChannel 21, Mike Bednarz, SageWalk's executive director, wrote to say that "SageWalk follows established best practices and protocols that may delay an incoming student from beginning a hike with the other students based on the results of their admissions history and physical .... but due to HIPAA regulations, I cannot comment on the specific history of this young man."
 
Asked about whether the participants are tested for the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, Bednarz added, "we are following the Deschutes County recommendation to not do H1N1 testing at this time, however our nurses have been educated about the symptoms to watch for."

The following statement came from SageWalk's parent firm, regarding the legislation now in Congress:

Aspen Education Group, which operates Oregon's Mount Bachelor Academy, New Leaf Academy and SageWalk Wilderness School, strongly believes that appropriate facility oversight and enforcement is necessary to prevent the abuse and neglect of adolescents in the care of all residential facilities. We support legislative efforts to provide strong, well-informed, state licensing requirements and the necessary local oversight to ensure compliance, while allowing providers of education and healthcare to offer these services in the most clinically effective and cost-efficient manner.

Aspen Education Group is committed to providing quality services for youth and families. For this reason, each of the aforementioned programs is currently licensed by the Oregon State Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, Mount Bachelor Academy is accredited by the Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools and the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, New Leaf Academy is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, and SageWalk is accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools.

It is our belief that H.R. 911 should broaden its list of exempted programs to include programs that are licensed by the state and accredited by either a regional or national accrediting body. For programs that are already licensed and accredited, the regulations of H.R. 911 are redundant, costly and add another layer of unnecessary oversight onto programs. The availability of quality treatment programs could be affected, leaving many families without the help they so desperately need.[/list]


© Copyright 2000 - 2009 WorldNow and KTVZ.

[Ursus]

I see that EdCon Dore Frances is now referring to herself as an "Advocate/Therapeutic Consultant."

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Comments for the above article by Nina Mehlhaf, Investigation under way in Redmond wilderness camp death (KTVZ.COM):



JuliaAquinas 3 days ago, 23:09:34

I don't know if anyone else knows this, but there was a television show on ABC a few years ago that featured SageWalk Wilderness school called "Brat Camp." Just hearing about this after watching that show, makes a person wonder what had gone on behind the scenes of that show? It's crazy. I do hope the family will get some closure and they have my prayers!

DH 2 days ago, 06:44:19

I did watch the above mentioned show and a couple of more since then. I am not impressed with any of these schools since the broadcasts. Had a slight military theme in tiring the kids down for easier manipulation and submission.  
 
Are the nurses from these schools on these hikes?
 
Is the autopsy being done in Lake County? Better hope not!
 
Thought I read somewhere that Mt. Bachlor Academy is being investigated and has a law suit (or suits) pending filed by parents.
 
My heart breaks for the parents of this child. May God give you strength.

[/list][/list]
Guest 2 days ago, 00:46:33

My sister was in Sage Walk back in 1997-1998 when they first opened In Bend.  They treated the kids so bad that my sister has irreversable internal physical conditions due to the place.  They are too a BOOTCAMP! You all have no idea what goes on behind the scenes at that place.  No fires = food. Meaning if the child did not make his or her own cook fire they did not eat or if they did eat it was cold lentils and rice.  My sister lost over 80 pounds in 4 months.  She was emotionaly abused by the staff, and made to live in deplorable conditions during the middle of the CENTRAL OREGON WINTER. The kids were actually made to EARN warm clothes and blankets.  They did not sleep in tents, they were made to sleep out on the dirt in a sleeping bag and thats it.  I will testify to it!  They need to shut these places down.  Like today...the kids are going to have psychological dammage from a place like this.  It doesn't help the kids it just makes them feel more crappy about themselves then when they first came into the program; then out in the field, they get punished for it... acting like a scared cornered animal. FYI THE SHOW "BRAT CAMP" was all FAKE...they made it look good for TV...some promotion, look what happened AGAIN!  This young man is dead, his mother is without answers, and another bootcamp for kids is under investigation.

Guest 2 days ago, 12:04:21

maybe just maybe if some parents would spend a little more time teaching thier kids right from wrong and how to sustain thierselves in life they wouldn't need boot camps or any other outside help to raise thier children.

[/list][/list]
A2YP 2 days ago, 06:12:50

Sorry to differ with the reporter, but Sergey was the 45th teen to die in Wilderness "Therapy". All preventable deaths. Most due to medical neglect or putting kids in dangerous situations. Homicides. And no one has served a day of jail time. Aspen alone, has killed 5 teens. Very simply put- NO "therapy" should subject kids to the potential of death.  
 
Aspen defends that HR911 would be redundant. Not so. States that currently have licensing requirements for these programs do no require the programs to list all injuries and deaths associated with the program. HR911 would require every Wilderness and Therapeutic Boarding School to list that information on a website managed by the government. A much needed resource for parents who deserve to make informed decisions about their children. These programs do not want that information known to the public. Did Sergey's mother know Aspen's track record? Did they divulge the other deaths and causes of death? Did they divulge how many children have sustained serious injury in their program? Were the risks made clear?  
 
Did Sergey or his mother google Sagewalk prior to enrollment? I'm guessing not, because there are volumes written on this program alone. They blatantly violated state regulations during the filming of Brat Camp. Sergey's mother should be asking if he had an adequate supply of water. What the temperature was during the hike. How many miles they had hiked. How much weight he was carrying.  
When he ate last. What he ate.  
 
One could say Aspen is making progress. It's been a year since their last death. How many more must die?  As history has shown, state licensure and accreditation are not adequate to protect teens. Support HR911. Call or write your Representative and demand this legislation be enacted.

Guest 2 days ago, 06:38:55

The article says "Nationally 10 kids have died at these schools" Since when ?1980, 2000, 2008 ? And  nationally how many kids have died at public schools ? The media and PR people always try to make the numbers look good or bad depending on their needs.

• Barney Lerten 2 days ago, 07:36:41

I believe the GAO study said over a 10-year period. I know, I know, the govt. also tries "to make the numbers look good or bad," in your opinion.

[/list]

KD 2 days ago, 08:50:37

The guest  does have a point though Barney. There seems to be a propensity to put numbers out ther without any context.

[/list]

• Barney Lerten 2 days ago, 09:29:43

Context is always, always a challenge - due to time limits on-air, and 'time limits' (hours in the day! online.
That's one reason I profess a 'lazy out' sometimes and post entire news releases here. At least then facts/figures are in the 'originators' context - what THEY leave out, well...
Also why I try to provide links to sources/agencies whenever possible, for people who want to dig deeper for context.
'The' answer? Nope, just an acknowledgment of our inherent limitations and ways for folks to get beyond them - if THEY have the time/inclination...

Guest 2 days ago, 13:28:02

i agree, that is the whole point of statistics to protray the information as you want it to be seen.
10 kids in a ten year period nationwide sounds rather low to me, maybe compare to how many kids attended those programs.

[/list][/list][/list]

Guest 2 days ago, 12:06:27

Integrity is always a challenge and the news media sacrifices it regularly to the god of time. I did not read where it talked about "over a 10-year period" and even if it did, it did not qualify the time span. We live in a time when the media is downplaying our soldiers' sacrafices in Iraq and Afghanistan as well, since it is not snazzy enough. Tell me, John Q. Public, do you hear more or less about Iraq and Afghanistan now that we are an Obama Nation?
Thanks Barney, for the explanation, but it is also, your opinion.

[/list]

A2YP Yesterday, 07:27:34

Speaking of statistics, in the past ten years

21 teens have died in Wilderness Therapy. Compare that to 9 in boot camps. The total number of teens who have died in residential "treatment" programs is 89. And I'm certain that number could be higher as programs have become quiet successful at keeping deaths out of the media as of late.  
The GAO looked at 10 deaths. That was not the total number of deaths. In fact, the GAO report stated that more transparency was needed. That is was very difficult to get accurate information, hence the need for legislation. The GAO and committee members (even those who supported the industry) were astounded that no one had been brought to justice in the heinous deaths they investigated. We're talking blatant abuse and neglect.  
 
We need HR911 to bring that transparency so the truth comes to light.  
The best option for parents is local therapy, wraparound services, cognitive behavioral therapy. You will never "fix" a child by isolating them from their family and the real world and subjecting them to experimental behavior modification techniques that are not evidence-based. The family should be involved. This industry is a fraud. They need to be forced to provide real therapy of be shut down.[/list][/list][/list]
Guest 2 days ago, 11:03:25

That is way to many kids that have died at programs like this. That should be telling you something if kids are dying. That is why I am telling people to look at sending the child to OYCP they will be safer there than anywhere else.

Guest 2 days ago, 14:23:12

What the news seems to be leaving out is that the 'students' are not allowed to complain, stop in the middle of a hike if they get sick or feel dizzy, or the whole group must hike an extra distance or time. During one of my hikes there, a girl passed out face first in a ditch with her pack on top of her, a boy peed all over himself because we were not allowed to stop, and it just went on and on like that. There was no entry physical. We were blindfolded and yelled at from the main offices to the middle of nowhere, and left. It didn't matter if you were a juvinile delinquent, or if you had emotional problems like I did. We were all treated like criminals. It's about time someone looked at this place a whole lot closer. Too bad it took the death of this poor boy for it to happen.

Guest 2 days ago, 17:54:21

Yup, this programs violate the human rights of children and should be banned.

[/list][/list]
Guest Yesterday, 00:05:06

What I think is wrong is shoving this bullcrap "wilderness" therapy crap down people's throats.  Not everyone is going to find these hikes, making tents, and tying ropes spiritual.  I'm a city person and was sent to this type of camp.  I'm telling you...these people with useless degrees in "outdoor leadership" want to criminalize you for liking the city more than the mountains.  I just don't see the point of forcing youth to appreciate the wilderness.  Let the beauty of the wilderness be discovered on one's own (which I do appreciate it).  Don't yell at kids to go rock-climbing or recycle cans.

Guest Yesterday, 07:15:39

While there are MANY opinions against the Sagewalk school, what many fail to know is how these kids are when they get to Sagewalk or Mt. Bachelor Academy!!!!  It is the end of the road for these kids, their last stop before Juvie!!!!  Yes, I do blame most of it on their parents for not having enough time for their kids or not wanting their kids in the first place.  That is where it all starts.  After having gone through Basic Training in the Army, I can tell you, these kids do not have the first inkling of what real boot camp is compared Sagewalk!!!  It is very unfortunate what happened to Sergey and my heart goes out to his family on their loss.  While sad as this loss is I loved that fact that somebody mentioned how many deaths have been at public school?  For that matter, private schools?  Given the amount of kids that have successfully graduated from the AEG programs I would venture the guess that the ratio is vastly better than any public school with the same amount of graduates!

Guest Yesterday, 07:49:32

Sergey is the 45th child to be killed due to staff maltreatment and negligence in a "wilderness therapy" program. That does not count the children who have been abused, neglected, maltreated, or died in other such programs, like emotional growth boarding schools, boot camps and other programs.  
 
These cases are usually settled out of court because the companies are rolling in money--tuition runs about $83,000 a year--and the corporations do not want the publicity.  
 
The GAO selected and investigated 10 such deaths because these cases were closed and the records were public. That in no way suggests there have only been 10 deaths. More importantly, there is a system-wide problem of unqualified, incompetant and abusive staff being placed in charge of students--leading to deaths and injuries and emotional trauma.  
 
When homicides and manslaughter cases like these occur in the public schools it is absolutely a huge deal, and those responsible are punished/incarcerated. But there have been almost no prosecutions in these cases with the private schools (remote locations, cozy relationships with local law enforcement, little value placed on the life of a "troubled teen"), and this was a top concern of the US Congress and the GAO when they investigated. Families are left to pursue their own legal cases against the programs, and the corporations settle out of court. This happened very recently in a Texas case with another program run by Aspen Education Group.

Guest Yesterday, 08:50:50

No where I have seen or heard or read or been told that this beautiful boy was "killed due to staff maltreatment and negligence." I understand anger and sadness, however, making accusations that are false helps no one, especially the family and others who have chosen to have their children in treatment. Let's not forget to count all the children that are abused, neglected, maltreated, or died in their homes, on the streets, at public and private schools as well and in the care of family or friends. Also, a lot of the deaths have happened in  juvenile state run programs which are horriffic in my opinion. Not all program are $83K a year.  There is some real anger in this statement and I can only assume that is about the writer and not their attempt to have factual information.  
   
Yes, there is a system-wide problem of unqualified, incompetant and abusive staff being placed in charge of students--leading to deaths and injuries and emotional trauma, especially in state run juvenile detention centers and boot camps.  There are also unqualified, abusive, incompetent staff at day care centers, pre-schools, and even public schools. Again, no one has mentioed that this was a homocide or manslaughter, and it is this kind of mis information which hurts individuals and families you do not even know.  
   
All children are special and deserve respect, no matter what has been going on their lives.  
 
Dore E. Frances, M.A.  
Advocate / Therapeutic Consultant  
Bend, Oregon

Guest Yesterday, 11:10:25

I worked at sagewalk wilderness school for a year and half as a lead instructor. My heart also goes out to the family for their loss. But I guarantee that sagewalk is not in the business to neglect, harm, or abuse any child. The entire time I worked there, I never witnessed anything such as this. Sagewalk has a zero tolerance policy for harming kids. From firsthand experience, it is to hardest job in the world caring for the kids physically and emotionally while in a wilderness setting but it is the also the most rewarding job when those kids turn a corner. My heart also goes to the staff that has been heavy trained for medical emergencies but I know never wanted to have to be a part of one, especially one so tragic. I worked for Aspen Education group in several different programs for many years and they provide quality services. I truly believe this a tragic accident but an accident. I know other programs have had kids die at the hands of staff, but no one should be jumping to conclusions on this one.

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