HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Authorities say more than two dozen children who were removed from an alternative treatment center in Montana are being interviewed as part of an investigation into allegations of physical and psychological abuse.
The 27 children between 11 and 17 were taken Tuesday from the Ranch for Kids program after state health officials cited “egregious abuse” allegations in recent months at the facility near the Canada border.
State regulators have suspended the ranch’s license.
A phone call to the ranch rang unanswered Wednesday. Director Bill Sutley told the Missoulian newspaper that he plans to challenge the suspension.
The children have been taken to an undisclosed location and are talking with investigators. They also received medical evaluations.
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