Report: Teen treatment centers face lax oversight
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Web Producer: Taylor Higgins
PHOENIX (AP) - Some children have reported being physically and sexually abused at some of the treatment centers in Arizona that specialize in treating teens struggling with emotional and behavioral problems.
An investigation by The Arizona Republic has found that the alleged abuse reported at the residential treatment centers in question occurred amid lax oversight by the state agencies that regulate the facilities.
Many of Arizona's 11 juvenile treatment centers have had ongoing problems managing clients and staff.
The newspaper has found the problems have led to frequent runaways, physical abuse and, in at least 15 cases at three facilities, reported sexual abuse of teens by adult staff.
Regulators say many incidents haven't been substantiated and that there's nothing fundamentally wrong with the state's system of treatment centers or their oversight.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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