Trails Carolina, Asheville Academy: Corporate Owner of North Carolina Mental Health Programs Seeks to Dismiss Former Patient Lawsuit

September 4, 2025

Trails Carolina and Asheville Academy for Girls' corporate owner is seeking the dismissal of a federal lawsuit filed against it in June by a former camper who alleged they were subject to abuse and neglect at two now-shuttered programs the company once operated in Western North Carolina. 

The former camper’s suit, filed in U.S. District Court in North Carolina, accuses Trails Carolina, Asheville Academy and its owner, Oregon-Based Family Help & Wellness, of abusive practices, like forced labor, that resulted in the “permanent and severe psychological” injuries for the former camper.

Identified as R.B. in the complaint, the former camper also alleges they were physically and sexually assaulted while enrolled in the programs.

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