Mingus Mountain Youth Treatment Center: A Complex Reality
The Mingus Mountain You Street Center (MMYTC) in Yavapai County provides a home for around 100 girls aged 12 to 17. The executive director has revealed that over half of these girls had previously been sold or traded for sex before arriving at the center.
Inside the therapy office, two survivors are waiting to share their stories. Medium-sized dogs are present, adding a sense of safety to the environment. The girls sit closely together on a sofa.
Referred to only by their initials, K and S represent different experiences within the center. K, a partial violinist in colorful monster slippers, has started to come to terms with her past, although she expresses some doubt about her ability to change. She mentions, “I’m going away. I’ll go with different people, travel around Texas, California, New Mexico.”
S, wearing a large brown clog, enjoys reading and has a fondness for neon green. Many of MMYTC’s sex trafficking recovery programs resonate with her, and she has recently obtained her GED. Yet, S sometimes finds herself longing for her previous life, stating, “I feel like I’ll never be completely 100% comfortable in one place.”
Both K and S have been at MMYTC for less than a year. They share a hope of perhaps working together in the future, though K expresses uncertainty, saying, “We’re not really talking about it because we don’t know if we’ll find each other or not. But we have the same caseworker now, so we might find each other.”
Allegations of Negligence
Thirteen former residents of a licensed behavioral health center have filed a negligence lawsuit, alleging various sexual offenses occurring from 2011 to 2022. The defendant claims he cannot be personally liable for the actions of the company accused of these offenses, with its lawyers arguing that they were not negligent in their care of vulnerable individuals.
Sean Mohon, the executive director of MMYTC, noted that many girls struggle with simple experiences like going to the movies or ordering food because, “They’ve never been to restaurants.” Mohon, who has been with the center since 2020 in various roles, emphasizes the importance of tailored treatment to foster hope and healing.
In the lawsuit, one plaintiff has labeled MMYTC an “inevitable nightmare.” However, a spokesperson for MMYTC stated that their internal investigation found no evidence of past abuse.
Mohon highlighted the center’s collaboration with local universities, allowing girls to earn college credits, and providing apartment options for those who turn 18. He remarked, “All of these things cost a lot, and if we don’t do those things, we can make more money. But we’re about missions, so we do them.”
The lawsuit references a recent Senate Treasury Committee report titled “Neglect Warehouse: How taxpayers fund systemic abuse in youth housing treatment facilities,” which mentions John Ripley, the defendant in the Arizona case, numerous times.
Despite requests for comments, Ripley did not respond to inquiries from KJZZ. A spokesperson for MMYTC dismissed the government report, characterizing it as a partisan political exercise.
During the visit, one girl remarked about Mohon’s name brand glasses, joking that he must be wealthy. Another girl expressed her desire to contribute a quote for the article, stating, “The mistake is improvement.”
Additionally, some claims against Ripley have been dismissed, with the court ruling that allegations regarding staff misconduct were not part of the employment role at LLCS.
“K is always smiling. She’s always so hilarious. And she’s always trying to help people. I just want to see the best for her and if I’m part of it, it’s really cool,” said S, one of MMYTC’s residents.
In a class discussion, the atmosphere remained light. One girl even recorded the session, while another displayed a magic trick. Just before leaving, a girl taught me her favorite word, adding a personal touch to the day.
Mohon, along with the executive team, holds daily roundtable discussions, which encourage survivors like K and S to become role models for newcomers. K expressed admiration for S, citing her maturity and shared experiences, while S echoed a sentiment of support for K’s aspirations, mentioning her own dream of opening a salon one day.
The plaintiff’s attorney has chosen not to comment further. On the same day as KJZZ’s visit, a defense request was made concerning a gag order, coinciding with a scheduled hearing in early June.
