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Tico Times (Costa Rica)
June 17, 2003
As a result of his legal problems in Costa Rica, the Department of Social Services (DSS) in South Carolina last month slapped Lichfield with a restraining order prohibiting him from returning to his other teen facility, known as Carolina Springs. The U.S. child welfare authorities notified Carolina Springs that it has to make nine changes if it hopes to renew its license to operate a residential group home.
"Mr. Narvin Lichfield shall not be allowed on the premises of Carolina Springs, nor shall he be involved in the day to day operations of the facility at this time due to the criminal and child welfare allegations surrounding his involvement in the Costa Rican facility," reads a letter sent June 19 to Carolina Springs director Elaine Davis from the Department of Social Services. "Once the allegations/charges are resolved, the Board of Directors can submit the supporting documentation to DSS for consideration to determine if Mr. Lichfield can resume his involvement with children and the managerial decision making at Carolina Springs."
The list of complaints filed by the South Carolina DSS closely mirrors the list complied by the Child Welfare Agency (PANI) here: overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, untrained staff, restricted contact with parents and the outside world, and "upper-level" students involved in the disciplining of "lower-level" students (TT, May 23).
The DSS offered Carolina Springs a standard operating license with a waiver through Oct. 30, 2003. The agreement allows the Stateside academy to continue operating until October, on condition that the board of directors agrees to make the necessary changes to comply with the law.
However, Carolina Springs' lawyers reportedly have said that they do not agree to all the terms set by welfare authorities, which could result in the facility being closed by the state before Oct. 30, according to Virginia Williamson of the Carolina DSS office.