Student Commits Suicide at Montana School

Press Release Source: Spring Creek Lodge Academy

Friday October 8, 5:15 pm ET

Note:

Just one month before this child's death, Casa by the Sea - another facility affiliated with the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs and Schools (WWASPS) was closed by Mexican authorities.

Many of those children were transferred to Spring Creek Lodge.

Information indicates that at the time of this child's suicide, Spring Creek Lodge was severely overcrowded and understaffed.

Sources have said that staff members "lost track" of the child during a head count.

She was later discovered hanging from her own shirt in the bathroom.

Chaffin Pullan has no credentials that we are aware of which qualify him to treat suicidal children.

THOMPSON FALLS, Mont., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/

-- Spring Creek Lodge Academy (SCLA) a specialty boarding school in north-west Montana announced Friday that a student had committed suicide by hanging.

In spite of the efforts of SCLA staff, medical personnel, and emergency crews who worked to revive her, the girl was pronounced dead at a Missoula, MT hospital the Thursday evening, October 7.

In honor of the family's wishes, the student's name will not be released.

"We're all in a state of shock," said Chaffin Pullan, assistant director of operations at the school. "We're devastated. Most of all, we're deeply saddened for the family."

SCLA was acutely aware of the girl's fragility and had placed her on "high risk" observation. After showing signs of improvement, the 16-year-old student was recently removed from high risk after consultation with the student's counselor, the assistant clinical director and four staff members who had worked closely with her.

In describing the school's response, Pullan said SCLA will conduct a detailed investigation into the girl's death, and will review its policies and procedures in order to prevent such a tragedy happening at the school again.

In addition, SCLA therapists, counselors, and staff will work closely with students in the coming days to facilitate the grieving process.

Pullan acknowledged the professional and compassionate work of those who responded to SCLA's call for assistance.

"Law enforcement, first responders, the ambulance crew, the Life Flight crew, the doctors -- for me, it was just another way that the people here show their support for what we do, and their concern for kids. We can't even describe how much we appreciate that," said Pullan.

For further information, please contact: In Montana, Jacqueline Rutze, +1-406-827-4344, or Outside Montana, James Wall of Freeman Wall Aiello Public Relations, +1-303-232-3870, for Spring Creek Lodge Academy.

Source: Spring Creek Lodge Academy



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