News Summary
Asheville Academy faces scrutiny following the suicides of two young girls within a month. Investigations by NCDHHS and local authorities question the facility’s safety and operational standards, as new admissions have been halted. Families are being supported during this tragic period while calls for improved mental health services grow.
Weaverville, North Carolina – Asheville Academy has become the focus of a significant investigation following the tragic suicides of two young girls within a month at the facility. The latest incident occurred on May 29, 2025, involving a 12-year-old girl, which came just weeks after the suicide of a 13-year-old girl on May 3, 2025. In response to these events, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is currently working in collaboration with the Buncombe County Department of Social Services and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an extensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding these tragedies.
As of May 31, 2025, NCDHHS confirmed that no children are currently residing at Asheville Academy, located at 530 Upper Flat Creek Road in Weaverville, NC. Despite the alarming incidents and an earlier citation from NCDHHS highlighting conditions detrimental to the health and safety of clients, the facility continues to hold its license without suspension and has not been mandated to remove any children enrolled as of now. Nevertheless, the academy has been ordered to halt new admissions following multiple inspections that revealed serious violations of mental health service licensing statutes that compromise client safety and wellbeing.
The recent suicides have prompted the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office to prioritize family support in the wake of these tragedies, expressing their condolences for the loss of the young lives. The sheriff’s office is actively assessing the circumstances and ensuring that families affected are provided adequate resources and assistance during this challenging time.
Following the suicide of the 13-year-old girl, the NCDHHS initiated a survey on May 8 regarding the facility to evaluate its operational standards and mental health services. Inspections conducted revealed significant breaches in the regulations governing mental health services, resulting in the suspension of new admissions. The academy remains in this state of suspension until it can demonstrate compliance and achieve an approved inspection status.
Asheville Academy provides residential treatment services for girls aged 10-14 and 14-18 on a case-by-case basis. The facility is managed by Wilderness Training & Consulting LLC, an organization previously linked to the now-closed Trails Carolina program, which was shuttered following the death of a 12-year-old boy shortly after his admission in February 2024. This history raises further questions regarding the management and operational efficacy of facilities handling vulnerable youth populations.
In light of these events, Asheville Academy released a statement expressing sorrow over the recent suicides and reaffirming its commitment to supporting the community, along with addressing the mental health needs of its clients. The facility has indicated a willingness to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigations and improve its standards to ensure the safety and wellbeing of future clients.
The ongoing investigation has illuminated concerns regarding safety and operational standards within residential treatment facilities across the state. With heightened scrutiny from regulatory agencies, facilities like Asheville Academy face increasing pressure to meet health and safety requirements to protect their young clientele. As this situation develops, stakeholders await findings from the NCDHHS and updates on the status of the academy and its ability to resume normal operations.
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Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
