Another shoe has dropped in the investigation of suspected abuse at Hillcrest Academy.Hamilton County and Juvenile Court announced Wednesday afternoon they will end their contractual ties to Rite of Passage, which runs the treatment program for at-risk youth at Hillcrest.The decision comes in the wake of allegations that surfaced within the past few days involving a worker there.An investigation is underway into whether a female staff member sexually assaulted at least one student.There was an emergency Juvenile Court meeting about it over the weekend.According to a joint statement this afternoon from Hamilton County Juvenile Court and Hamilton County Job and Family Services, "On Saturday, HCJC held an emergency shelter hearing to remove all 12 of the children the Court placed at Hillcrest. HCJFS is also in the process of relocating its residents. In addition, the County Administrator and the Administrative Judge have given notice that it intends to terminate its contract with Rite of Passage."The statement mentioned there were 50 current residents at Hillcrest.A dozen were placed there by Juvenile Court, six by Jobs and Family Services. The rest of the residents were sent to Hillcrest by other entities from out of state.Neither Hamilton County leaders nor anyone from Juvenile Court would say anything further about the separation, referring all questions to the Hamilton County Prosecutor.As for the criminal investigation, the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office said there is nothing new to release at this time.Several messages left for Hillcrest and Rite of Passage administrators went unreturned.
Another shoe has dropped in the investigation of suspected abuse at Hillcrest Academy.
Hamilton County and Juvenile Court announced Wednesday afternoon they will end their contractual ties to Rite of Passage, which runs the treatment program for at-risk youth at Hillcrest.
The decision comes in the wake of allegations that surfaced within the past few days from a worker there.
An investigation is underway into whether a female staff member sexually assaulted at least one student.
There was an emergency Juvenile Court meeting about it over the weekend.
According to a joint statement this afternoon from Hamilton County Juvenile Court and Hamilton County Job and Family Services, "On Saturday, HCJC held an emergency shelter hearing to remove all 12 of the children the Court placed at Hillcrest. HCJFS is also in the process of relocating its residents. In addition, the County Administrator and the Administrative Judge have given notice that it intends to terminate its contract with Rite of Passage."
The statement mentioned there were 50 current residents at Hillcrest.
A dozen were placed there by Juvenile Court, six by Jobs and Family Services.
The rest of the residents were sent to Hillcrest by other entities from out of state.
Neither Hamilton County leaders nor anyone from Juvenile Court would say anything further about the separation, referring all questions to the Hamilton County Prosecutor.
As for the criminal investigation, the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office said there is nothing new to release at this time.
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