Lakeland boarding university below investigation immediately after teenager who was denied medical treatment dies

LAKELAND, Fla — A Lakeland boarding university for girls is less than investigation following a 17-calendar year-previous scholar died although in its treatment.

Lakeland Women Academy also acknowledged as Teenager Challenge, is a religion-based household boarding college that statements to turn all-around troubled women. Naomi Wood, 17 arrived at the boarding faculty in February 2020 and just three months later on she died.

Grace Coburn a former college student, stated this isn’t shocking.

“It’s envisioned of this sort of a position who displays so a great deal neglect towards all of their pupils. Nonetheless, it does not make it any a lot less saddening,” she said.

An autopsy report reported Wood died as a end result of a seizure problem. ABC Action Information acquired the child fatality report from the Florida Division of Small children and Households. It stated her loss of life was because of to inadequate supervision and medical neglect.

Entire REPORT Down below:

“When any of us complained of becoming sick, it was assumed that we have been faking,” explained Sela Freuler, a former college student at Lakeland Ladies Academy.

According to the report Wood experienced been complaining of tummy pain for a thirty day period. She was not taken to the physician, as an alternative team customers gave her Pepto-Bismol 20 periods, soup and also prayed for her to get improved.

“If a girl was unwell she would not be taken to the medical doctor. It was really, very, very infrequent that girls would be taken to the doctor,” Coburn said.

Wooden commenced vomiting on the evening of May perhaps 18, 2020. The future working day she was discovered unresponsive in her space and later on pronounced lifeless.

Also, in the report, the medical director for Florida’s Little one Protection Staff mentioned that the academy uses the practice of shunning.

“Where by you are not allowed to converse out loud at all to any person. Anytime you want to converse, you have to generate it down,” reported Coburn.

In accordance to the DCF report, the faculty has extra a medical coordinator posture. ABC Action News arrived at out to faculty about the report and have nonetheless to listen to again.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office mentioned this situation is underneath evaluation by the condition attorney’s business.

“I want there to be fees and I want to make positive it doesn’t come about in any very similar amenities,” Freuler mentioned.