STARKE, Fla. – A family has filed a lawsuit against Florida Youth Challenge Academy following the death of their teenage daughter, alleging the organization failed to provide proper mental health care and supervision.
The lawsuit claimed the academy was aware of the teen’s mental health challenges and propensity for self-harm but failed to implement required safety protocols, according to Corey Portnoy, a trial attorney with Morgan and Morgan representing the family.
“The program was on notice that she had a propensity to self harm, that she was dealing with some very deep mental health issues,” Portnoy said.
The lawsuit alleged multiple failures in the academy’s safety protocols, including failure to maintain a required buddy system, lack of 24-hour supervision, and employment of an unlicensed mental health counselor.
The teenager’s mother enrolled her in the program in July 2024. By October 2024, she was hospitalized for self-harm injuries. Upon discharge, doctors prescribed medications and ordered mental health services, which could be provided either in person or virtually.
The teen expressed reluctance to return to the academy, fearing she would lose her achievements and privileges. Despite these concerns, she was returned to the program.
A key figure in the case, Gwendolyn Boney-Harris, provided mental health services at the academy despite having an expired license. She was later arrested in Clay County on fraud charges following the incident.
“The defendant failed to have a licensed mental health counselor to provide those services and therefore led to this incident,” Portnoy explained.
Karly Briscoe-Vega, the teen’s mother, released a statement about her daughter’s death: “My daughter was a beautiful, talented young woman who worked hard and was beloved by her family and friends. Our world has been shattered since her passing. We are filing this lawsuit to find answers as to why this happened, and we hope to ensure that no other family has to go through what we have.”
The Florida Youth Challenge Academy has not yet responded to requests for comment.