Sunrise Beach, Cancun, Mexico
Founded: 1995
Shut down: 1996 (due to suspicion of child abuse by the Mexican authorities)
Allegations: illegal deprivation of liberty, operating a youth shelter without permits, improper immigration papers, unsanitary conditions, signs of abuse
Lawsuits: 2006 Turley Lawsuit (a class action lawsuit filed against all WWASPS programs)
Location: Punta Sam, Cancun, Mexico
Staff: Steve & Glenda Roach (2 yrs later the Roaches ran Morava Academy in the Czech Republic, which was also shut down due to allegations of abuse)
Official website:
Wikipedia:
Notes: According to IntrepidNet, an investigative reporting website, immigration officials dropped in and found that it was licensed as a resort and that the residents lacked visas. Within days, Steve & Glenda Roach attempted to leave the country with their 41 American students. But they were stopped at the airport and arrested on charges that included depriving juveniles of their liberty. In 1998, just 2 years after the closure of Sunrise Beach, Glenda and Steven Roach were arrested for child abuse again when Czech officials closed down Morava Academy following allegations of child abuse and torture.
News:
Boot camps for youth offer hope, help, hell
It's cheap, but is it good for kids?
Shut down: 1996 (due to suspicion of child abuse by the Mexican authorities)
Allegations: illegal deprivation of liberty, operating a youth shelter without permits, improper immigration papers, unsanitary conditions, signs of abuse
Lawsuits: 2006 Turley Lawsuit (a class action lawsuit filed against all WWASPS programs)
Location: Punta Sam, Cancun, Mexico
Staff: Steve & Glenda Roach (2 yrs later the Roaches ran Morava Academy in the Czech Republic, which was also shut down due to allegations of abuse)
Official website:
Wikipedia:
Notes: According to IntrepidNet, an investigative reporting website, immigration officials dropped in and found that it was licensed as a resort and that the residents lacked visas. Within days, Steve & Glenda Roach attempted to leave the country with their 41 American students. But they were stopped at the airport and arrested on charges that included depriving juveniles of their liberty. In 1998, just 2 years after the closure of Sunrise Beach, Glenda and Steven Roach were arrested for child abuse again when Czech officials closed down Morava Academy following allegations of child abuse and torture.
News:
Boot camps for youth offer hope, help, hell
It's cheap, but is it good for kids?
