Change Academy at Lake of the Ozarks (CALO Programs) Lawsuit & Abuse Claims

Lawsuits and survivor accounts involving Change Academy at Lake of the Ozarks (CALO Programs) allege that teens placed in the facility’s program were subjected to emotional abuse, coercive behavior modification tactics, and neglect in an environment that prioritized control over care. Former residents have described being isolated, manipulated, and retraumatized while entrusted to the facility’s care. These claims have raised serious concerns about CALO’s therapeutic practices, lack of oversight, and the broader issues within the troubled teen industry. Survivors and their families are now stepping forward to share their stories and hold CALO and its operators accountable for the lasting harm they caused.

At Kayla’s Survivors, our attorneys are committed to helping individuals who suffered abuse at Change Academy at Lake of the Ozarks (CALO). If you or someone you love experienced mistreatment while at enrolled in their programs, call (800) 509-9747 or contact our team online in complete confidence. Our survivor-led legal team is here to listen, support you, and fight for justice every step of the way.

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Timeline of CALO Abuse Investigations & Legal Actions

2025

• Present (2025): Lawsuits against CALO and associated staff remain ongoing on survivors come forward to share their experiences.
• February 2025: A former CALO staff member, Elizabeth M., files a federal lawsuit against Change Academy at Lake of the Ozarks in Arizona. This suit alleges violations of her rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act, highlighting internal labor disputes at CALO.

2024

• December 9, 2024: A serious disturbance occurs at the CALO campus. Multiple teenage residents were involved in an incident where one 15-year-old jumped from a rooftop and was airlifted to a hospital with injuries. The Camden County Sheriff’s Office opens an investigation into the incident.
• June 2024: Two new civil lawsuits are filed in Missouri state court by former students against CALO. These suits allege abuse and negligence during their enrollment at CALO. In March 2024, another suit is filed, alleging physical abuse by staff. All cases remain pending.
• April 2022: Regulatory concerns surface regarding CALO’s treatment practices. A report alleges CALO may have violated the federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act by improperly denying insurance coverage.
• February 2022: The Liebowitz v. CALO lawsuit (filed in 2021) is terminated by the U.S. District Court without trial.

2021

• September 2021: The Liebowitz family files a federal lawsuit against CALO, accusing the program of mistreatment and negligence that led to emotional and psychological harm.

2019

• February 20, 2019: Former CALO employee Bradley Ryan Russell is sent to prison after violating his probation. He had originally pleaded guilty to child endangerment for sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl at CALO.

2017–2018

• December 29, 2017: CALO staff member Bradley Ryan Russell is arrested and charged with multiple felony counts for sexually abusing a 14-year-old female student. He later pleads guilty to child endangerment.
• August 14, 2018: Former CALO staff member Gary W. Gann pleads guilty to first-degree sexual misconduct for an incident involving a minor from CALO. He is required to register as a sex offender.

2010–2014

• 2010: CALO co-founder Ken Huey sues the parents of a former student for breach of contract after the student ran away. The suit is eventually dropped.
• 2011–2014: The first known abuse lawsuit against CALO is filed. Several lawsuits during this period are dismissed or quietly settled as ownership and management change.

2009

• August 30, 2009: A 16-year-old student named Jennifer M. disappears from CALO. Her disappearance prompts a public search and media attention.
• September 15, 2009: Jennifer M. is found safe in the Chicago area. Her disappearance sparks the formation of a parent group and begins public scrutiny of CALO’s practices.

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Additional Information Regarding the Events Abuse at CALO

Behind its promise of healing and emotional growth, the Change Academy at Lake of the Ozarks (CALO) has faced serious allegations and multiple lawsuits, exposing a troubling reality that contradicts its image of safety and care. Over the years, survivors and their families have come forward with claims of misconduct, negligence, and abuse, revealing a devastating betrayal of trust. These allegations are not isolated, as they paint a pattern of systemic failures that left vulnerable children unprotected.

In September 2021, the Liebowitz family filed a lawsuit against CALO and Embark Behavioral Health in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The case involved allegations of improper treatment and emotional distress. Although the lawsuit was terminated in February 2022, it marked the beginning of growing scrutiny over CALO’s practices.

In April 2022, a report surfaced involving claims that CALO violated the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). The allegations centered around denied ERISA benefits for residential treatment, raising questions about CALO’s standards for medical necessity and care.

By June 2024, two separate lawsuits were filed in Camden County, Missouri: E.W. vs. Change Academy at Lake of the Ozarks LLC and N.S. vs. Change Academy at Lake of the Ozarks LLC. While the details of these allegations remain confidential, the lawsuits further highlighted ongoing concerns about CALO’s treatment practices and accountability.

In February 2025, Elizabeth Myers filed a lawsuit against CALO, operating as Embark Behavioral Health, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. The case, overseen by Judge Susan M. Brnovich, involved allegations of labor issues under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), adding to the growing list of legal challenges CALO faced.

Adding to these legal battles, reports revealed that a CALO staff member was sentenced to probation for molesting a student, and his son was also arrested for child-related offenses. These incidents raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of students at CALO, leading to increased scrutiny and public outcry.

These allegations are calls for accountability and change. At Kayla’s Survivors, we believe in standing up for those who were hurt at CALO, ensuring that their voices are heard, and holding those responsible accountable. If you or someone you love was affected, reach out today. You may not be ready to speak publicly but let us be your voice. Together, we’ll bring accountability.

Who is Eligible to File a Lawsuit Against CALO?

You may be eligible to file a legal claim against CALO if any of the following apply:

• You attended CALO and suffered abuse – including emotional, physical, sexual, or psychological mistreatment – during your time at the facility. This includes incidents involving staff, peers, or unsafe conditions caused by neglect or lack of supervision.
• You are a parent or legal guardian of a minor who was harmed at CALO. Parents may be able to file on behalf of their child or seek damages related to emotional distress, breach of contract, or financial harm.
• You were previously employed by CALO and experienced or witnessed misconduct—such as unsafe practices, abuse cover-ups, or retaliation after reporting harm—and wish to pursue a whistleblower, employment, or related civil claim.
• You were denied appropriate care or subjected to unethical treatment while under CALO’s supervision, particularly if you were placed at the facility for mental health reasons and were denied necessary medical or therapeutic support.

If you’re unsure whether your experience qualifies, it’s best to speak with an attorney who handles institutional abuse cases. Statutes of limitations vary, and even individuals who were abused years ago may still have legal options—especially if new evidence or patterns of abuse have come to light.

Get started with your claim by calling (800) 509-9747 or tell us about your case online. With over $1 billion recovered for our clients, the sexual abuse attorneys at Kayla’s Survivors believe you, and together, we can hold CALO accountable for the harm they have caused.

Public Filings

• Justia. (2025, February 10). Myers v. Change Academy at Lake of the Ozarks LLC. https://dockets.justia.com/docket/arizona/azdce/2:2025cv00449/1426213
• Justia. (2021, July 8). BCBSM, Inc. v. Change Academy Lake of the Ozarks. https://dockets.justia.com/docket/missouri/mowdce/2:2021mc09001/158871