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Co-Owner of
Private School Charged With Child Abuse
Jun. 13, 2005
A Utah private school for troubled teens is facing troubles of its
own. After a 7 month investigation, its co-owner has been charged
with child abuse.
Samantha Hayes reporting
A Utah private
school for troubled teens is facing troubles of its own. After a 7
month investigation, its co-owner has been charged with child abuse.
The school itself is at odds with the state over licensing as well.
The Whitmore Academy is a private boarding school run by Mark and
Cheryl Sudweeks. Police began taking a closer look at their
operation last year when one of the students claimed he was
physically and verbally abused.
Nephi police had
been investigating the Whitmore Academy for six months when we made
an unannounced visit in April. Co-owner Cheryl Sudweeks invited
Eyewitness News to choir practice.
Cheryl Sudweeks,
Co-owner, Whitmore Academy: “You'd think after six months we'd hear
something. We've never heard anything valid, and we do have an
attorney who works for us."
Sudweeks is now facing seven misdemeanor counts of chid abuse and
hazing. She is accused of "causing physical injury...and permitting
others to inflict physical injury on a child”. The alleged incidents
happened between April 2003 and November 2004.
Leah Schacherer was enrolled at Whitmore Academy during that time.
Leah Schacherer,
former Whitmore Student: “Cheryl pulled my hair, pushed me over a
chair, and spit in my face and called me a bunch of names and it
happened to other kids."
At the same time,
investigators say the Whitmore violates a new state licensing law, a
requirement for schools providing therapy.
Ken Stettler,
Director of Licensing: “I don't know where its going to lead at this
point..whether they are going to recognize the fact the new law does
encompass what they are doing..or if they are going to claim they
are a boarding school or change their practices or what.."
Cheryl Sudweeks,
Co-owner, Whitmore Academy: “We don't have therapy, we have
counseling..just like a high school counselor would do."
Sudweeks says the
Whitmore Academy is strictly a Boarding School , exempt from state
regulators..
Cheryl Sudweeks,
Co-owner, Whitmore Academy: “We have students graduation in May,
we're really proud of that."
But in the midst of
abuse and licensing allegations, there are other questions from
parents and their children, about the value of a 40-thousand dollar
a year Whitmore education.
Leah Schacherer,
former Whitmore Student: “Now I'm trying to go to college and its
hard because I didn't learn things I should have learned in high
school."
We were unable to
reach Cheryl or Mark Sudweeks on Monday for comment on the charges.
They have told me before that many parents support what they do, and
feel their program is successful for many teenagers.
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