Asheville Academy voluntarily surrenders license after 2 child deaths

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Asheville Academy, a now-shuttered Weaverville residential treatment center where two children died by suicide in May, has voluntarily surrendered its license, according to a June 4 letter the facility’s executive director sent to the state’s health department.

“All students were discharged as of Saturday, May 31st, 2025, and the program ceased operations on that date,” Asheville Academy’s Executive Director Shawn Farrell wrote to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. “All employees have been notified of the cessation of business operations and the landlord has been made aware the lease will not be renewed.”

Farrell’s letter is dated one day after Asheville Academy announced its voluntary closure following the deaths of the two children. It also came after the state health department had suspended admissions to the residential treatment center after an inspection found Asheville Academy operated in violation of state law and licensing rules for providers of mental health, substance abuse and developmental disability services.

“The documented violations indicate that conditions in the facility are found to be detrimental to the health and safety of the clients,” the agency wrote in a May 27 letter to Farrell.

Just days after the state health department’s decision to suspend admissions, another child at the facility died by suicide, the Citizen Times reported.

In a June 9 email to the Citizen Times, the agency said it’s still investigating the two deaths.

Asheville Academy is owned and operated by Oregon-based Wilderness Training & Consulting, which does business as Family Help & Wellness. The facility served girls ages 10 to 18 who were experiencing anxiety, depression and trauma, according to its website. It was licensed to accommodate 90 children, according to state records.

Family Help & Wellness also operated Trails Carolina, a now-shuttered wilderness therapy camp in Transylvania County that has faced multiple state and federal lawsuits alleging sexual assault and abuse at the camp.

Trails Carolina closed in 2024 following the death of a 12-year-old camper.

Jacob Biba is the Helene recovery reporter at the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected].