Lawsuit against Wyoming teen centers alleges abuse
A lawsuit filed by 25 former residents of two Wyoming teen centers accuses the facilities of human trafficking and abuse.
By News Channel Nebraska
CODY, Wyo. (AP) — A lawsuit filed by 25 former residents of two Wyoming teen centers accuses the facilities of human trafficking and abuse.
The complaint alleges Trinity Teen Solutions and Triangle Cross Boys Ranch of Clark profited from unpaid labor and the abusive conditions of their residents, the Cody Enterprise reported Monday.
The plaintiffs accuse the centers of forcing silence for weeks at a time, restricting bathroom access, general sleep and food deprivation, the hiring of unqualified youth therapists and unheated living quarters.
Jerry Schneider, the head of Triangle Cross Boys Ranch of Clark, called the charges “absolutely ridiculous” when reached by phone by the Enterprise.
Angela Woodward, the head of Trinity Teen Solutions and the daughter of Schneider, denied all allegations to the Enterprise. Woodward provided documents to the Enterprise in 2019 that showed that her teen center was investigated on similar accusations in 2011 and 2018 and that the state Department of Family Services found the plaintiffs' claims unsubstantiated.
Trinity describes itself on its website as a Christian-based residential treatment center for troubled girls. Triangle Cross is a working ranch and farm for 10- to 17-year-old troubled boys, according to its website.
Only four plaintiffs are listed on the case and none are current Wyoming residents. The four are listed as Carlie Sherman, Anna Gozun, Amanda Nash and one “John Doe.”
The plaintiffs are seeking $5 million in damages, demanding $16.31 per hour of labor for the first 40 hours per week worked and $24.47 per hour for every hour after. The lawsuit alleges that at least 100 residents were forced to work an average of 11.5 hours per day.