A tragic incident unfolded at Trails Carolina, a nature-based therapy camp in North Carolina when a 12-year-old boy from New York died on his first night. The boy suffocated after being confined in a fully enclosed bivy sack, as stated in the newly released autopsy report. His death has been classified as a homicide, sparking a thorough investigation by local authorities.
The boy, whose name has been withheld at the request of his family, arrived at Trails Carolina in February. Trails Carolina is known for its programs designed to help adolescents with behavioral or emotional issues through a combination of psychological counseling and outdoor activities. However, the camp’s procedures and protocols have come under intense scrutiny following this tragic event.
The autopsy report reveals that the boy was directed to sleep in a bivy sack, a type of sleeping bag often used for protection against the elements during camping. These sacks typically have a breathable inner layer and a waterproof outer layer. However, they come with warnings that fully securing the outer layer can lead to condensation buildup and restricted breathing.
The boy’s bivy sack was equipped with an alarm intended to alert counselors if he attempted to leave the enclosure. This protocol was in place because the boy had previously tried to sleep outside the sack. On the night of his death, the boy was placed inside the bivy sack, which was secured with an alarm device. The camp’s protocol also required the sack to be placed on a plastic sheet folded up the sides, creating a ‘canoe’ shape to prevent the boy from exiting unnoticed.
During the night, counselors conducted routine checks but could not see inside the bivy sack because its opaque outer layer was fully secured. At one point, a counselor noticed the boy moving, but the movement ceased shortly afterward. By morning, the boy was unresponsive and could not be revived.
The autopsy concluded that the boy died of asphyxia due to smothering. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has since initiated the process to revoke Trails Carolina’s license permanently. The camp, which has been closed since the incident, is under investigation for violations involving medication requirements, incident response, and ensuring the protection of campers from harm, abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
In the immediate aftermath, Trails Carolina issued multiple statements. Initially, they expressed their grief and condolences to the boy’s family and asserted that they were cooperating with local law enforcement. However, the camp later faced accusations from the sheriff’s office of not cooperating fully, which the camp vehemently denied.
The DHHS has ordered Trails Carolina to halt new admissions and cease the use of bivy sacks until the investigation is complete. Despite the camp’s internal investigation, which concluded that there was no evidence of improper supervision or unsafe conditions, external authorities are pressing forward with their probe.
The boy’s family, represented by Robert J. Higdon Jr., has chosen to remain private but has expressed their devastation and demand for accountability. The investigation continues as authorities seek to understand the full circumstances that led to this preventable tragedy and ensure that such incidents do not occur again.
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The case highlights the critical need for stringent safety measures in youth camps and therapy programs, especially those dealing with vulnerable children. As Trails Carolina navigates the legal and ethical ramifications, the broader community is left grappling with the consequences of this heartbreaking loss.
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