'Tough Love' Schools Closed Due To Abuse Reports
Authorities Reportedly Find Handcuffs, Dried Blood In Discipline Room
UPDATED: 9:46 am PST December 10, 2004
ENSENADA, Mexico -- Two so-called "tough love" schools south of the border are the latest to be shut down after reports of abuse.
Mexican police sent 17 students of the Abundant Life Academy in Chapala and 57 students of the La Mission School back to the United States Thursday morning.
The facilities are designed for children with behavior problems, but authorities reportedly found handcuffs and dried blood in a room used to discipline the students at La Mission.
They also said many of the students did not have proper immigration documents.
Parents were called Thursday evening to pick up their children at the border.
"I got my sons back. (The program) was a miracle worker. It was amazing," father Mike Chacon said.
Children whose parents could not pick them up are in temporary housing.
In September, three schools in Rosarito and Ensenada were shut down after reports of abuse.
