Abuse investigation at Hillcrest Academy prompts removal of juveniles

At least a dozen juveniles have been moved out of the Hillcrest Academy residential program following allegations of abuse involving an employee, officials said.

Emergency hearings were held over the weekend in Hamilton County Juvenile Court to move 12 juveniles out of Hillcrest, which had housed 50.

Springfield Township police said Wednesday that it was investigating a report of a sex offense at the facility, but no details were released.

Later Wednesday, the juvenile court and Hamilton County Job and Family Services released a statement saying there were "allegations of abuse" involving a Hillcrest employee. The employee works for Rite of Passage, which contracts through the court and the job and family services agency to run the residential program for at-risk youth.

All 12 juveniles who had been placed in the program by the court have been removed, spokeswoman Kelly Leon said.

In addition, the job and family services agency is relocating the six juveniles it placed there.

The court is in the process of terminating its contract with Rite of Passage, according to a news release.

"The highest priority for both HCJC and HCJFS is the safety and well-being of all of the children housed at Hillcrest, those placed locally as well as those placed from jurisdictions outside of the county," the release states.

Hillcrest Academy was licensed in 2012 by the state, according to its website. It serves males between the ages of 12 and 18 who have a history of delinquent behaviors, mild mental health issues and special education needs.

Although the job and family service agency and juvenile court refer and send juveniles to Hillcrest, the program has residents from all over the country.

Springfield Township police said they are working with the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office as they continue their investigation. The prosecutor's office declined to comment.

Hillcrest Academy did not respond to requests for comment.