Acadia facility closes amid abuse allegations

A youth treatment center in New Mexico owned by Franklin-based behavioral health company Acadia Healthcare has been shut down amid egregious abuse allegations, multiple lawsuits and losing its certification from state regulators.

Seven lawsuits have been filed against the Desert Hills of New Mexico facility in Albuquerque and its parent company in the past month alleging the company failed to protect its clients from physical and sexual abuse from its workers and other patients. The suits cite internal fight clubs instigated by facility staff members, sex between staff and young patients, the unchecked spread of HIV among patients and excessive use of restraints on children — more than 30 times in 60 days, according to filings.