A number of American boys have been removed from a troubled teen school in Jamaica amid allegations that the students have been starved, beaten and put in chokeholds.
The seven boys were students at Atlantis Leadership Academy located in Treasure Beach, located along the island’s south coast.
On February 8, the Jamaican Child Protection and Family Services Agency removed the boys and placed them in protective custody amid reports that the children were being abused.
Their concerned families have been trying to bring their children home and are seeking answers – though it is unclear when they will get the information they are hoping for.
Tarah Fleischman, the mother of Cody Fleischman, 16, who sent her son to the academy last May hoping it would help with some of his aggressive behavior, is now feeling remorseful, family attorney, Michael McFarland told NewsNation’s national correspondent Kelsey Kernstine on Morning In America.
The mother of Cody Fleischmann, 16, who sent her son to the academy last May hoping it would help with some of his aggressive behavior, is now feeling remorseful, family attorney, Michael McFarland told NewsNation
Atlantis Leadership Academy (pictured) is a boarding school for troubled teens
McFarland said that currently, there is no indication of when the young men will be returning home to their families.
‘The reality of the situation is, you know, any American traveling to a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country,’ he said.
He added: ‘While everyone wishes that the U.S. Embassy could come in and just make everything right again, (there are) Jamaican authorities, and they did the right thing in this case.’
The faith-based school specializes in helping teens overcome anger, depression, substance abuse.
According to its website, the school prides itself as an ‘affordable, structured, boarding academy serving young men who possess strong leadership skills, though they’ve taken some wrong turns in their lives.’
Pictured: Stock images of students at the boarding school. McFarland said that that currently, there is no indication of when the young men will be returning home to their families
Pictured: Generic images of young people at the academy. The faith-based school specializes in helping teens overcome anger, depression, substance abuse
The Atlantis Leadership Academy is located on Treasure Beach, located along the island’s south coast
McFarland said currently there is no indication of when the young men will be returning home to their families. ‘The reality of the situation is, you know, any American traveling to a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country,’ he said
Pictured: Atlantis Leadership Academy founder and director, Randall Cook
Cody’s mother was able to visit her son in Jamaica earlier this month when she attended a hearing, but the attorney said it is still unclear when they will be able to return home.
McFarland told the news outlet that Cody had ‘lost a significant amount of weight since entering into Atlantis,’ he said, in part.
‘They’re investigating allegations of physical abuse, which would include beatings, also chokeholds, restraints, things like that. And neglect, which would include, you know, withholding food and not getting proper nutrition to the boys,’ McFarland said.
Randall Cook, the school’s founder and director, told NewsNation that he is ‘eager to have honest dialogue.’
He also added he would be in touch soon ‘one way or the other.’
Since the abuse allegations surfaced, many families claim the school appears to be closed.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Randall Cook.