Taylor Kiesel, a 20-year-old, has been struggling with sleepless nights for the past three years, often waking up in panic. To cope, she surrounds herself with her collection of reptiles, including Russian tortoises, geckos, and snakes. Her journey into an animal rescue operation outside Seattle channels her emotions into something meaningful. Despite her experiences with mental health treatment, her progress was achieved outside of those interventions.

Early Challenges

Taylor faced difficulties from a young age; her father left when she was only five. Diagnosed with autism in first grade, she expressed thoughts of self-harm by age six. Her mother, Rachelle, recalls a troubling comment from Taylor about jumping out of a moving car. Multiple therapies and hospitalizations did not prevent Taylor from injuring herself. Eventually, a consultant recommended a longer-term residential placement at Change Academy Lake of the Ozarks (CALO) in Missouri.

Questions and Concerns

Before choosing CALO, Rachelle extensively researched and communicated with staff. However, upon arrival, Taylor sensed issues among the staff and children, feeling the environment was unhealthy. She and her mother are part of a lawsuit against CALO, alleging emotional distress and battery. CALO claims these allegations lack merit.

CBS News spoke with various CALO-associated families and former employees. Police records show more than 400 calls to the county sheriff’s office regarding CALO over the past decade, revealing serious incidents. Former prosecutor Caleb Cunningham described the environment as troubling, noting similar issues across the country.

Regulatory Gaps

The Missouri Department of Social Services reported findings of physical and sexual abuse at CALO over two decades. However, CALO is not currently under investigation by the state’s attorney general.

Often funded by taxpayers and regulated at the state level, these programs vary in oversight. Taylor’s placement was partially funded by her school district under her Individualized Education Program (IEP). Her mother urged Washington state to reconsider CALO’s IEP approval after Taylor was injured but found resistance.

Need for Reform

No federal law mandates care standards for youth residential treatment programs yet. In 2024, the Senate Finance Committee’s investigation into major operators reported substandard care despite significant federal funding. Senator Jeff Merkley’s Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act did not mandate federal oversight but ordered a study of these programs, expected in 2027.

Financial Burdens

While not all experiences resemble Taylor’s, financial strain is common. Luca, now 20, credits a wilderness therapy program and therapeutic boarding school with saving his life, despite significant family expenses. His mother, Martha, reports spending nearly $500,000, with insurance and reimbursements covering only a third.

The Manhattan Institute found a 60% decline in treatment centers since 2010, leaving families with limited options. Both Taylor’s and Martha’s families advocate for a national database of programs, standardized licensing, and children’s rights in residential settings.

“I am channeling my anger, sadness, and passion into something,” says Taylor, now focused on her reptile rescue for those she calls “the unloved.”

For those struggling, support is available 24/7 through the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.