On May 19th, 2020 17-year-old Naomi Wood died in the custody and care of Lakeland Girls Academy (aka Teen Challenge).

In April of 2020 Wood asked to be seen by a doctor for chronic stomach pains which the staff refused to let her seek medical attention and instead gave her Pepto Bismol 20 TIMES. She was never seen by a doctor to address her stomach issues.

On May 18th, 2020 Naomi Wood was sick and vomiting, and instead of taking her to a doctor they gave her soup and prayed for her to get better. They did not seek medical attention UNTIL she was found unresponsive in her room on May 19th, 2020. Staff called 911 at 6:15 pm. Unfortunately, Naomi Wood passed away while being transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center by EMS and was pronounced dead at 7:16 pm. 

The Polk Sheriff's office did an investigation into Naomi Wood's death but unfortunately, no charges were pressed. Although on February 11th, 2021 Florida Department of Child and Human Services have concluded that Naomi Wood's death was a result of medical negligence, and inadequate supervision and the caregivers in the incident Lauren Delfrate and Jasmine Smith were responsible for her death.  

The staff FAILED to provide adequate medical treatment to Naomi who according to the examiner had a HISTORY of seizures and other mental health problems. Wood also had previous trauma which Lakeland Girls Academy failed to provide healthy coping techniques to Wood.

We are calling for Lakeland Girls Academy aka Teen Challenge, Jasmine Smith, Lauren Delfrate, and Holly and Dan Williams to be HELD ACCOUNTABLE and  CHARGED in the death of Naomi Wood and for Lakelands Girl Academy to be shut down PERMANENTLY for constantly putting teen girls in danger, abusing and neglecting them and not providing proper medical treatment, coping techniques to girls who had previous trauma. Had they provided proper medical treatment and allowed Naomi Wood to have access to PROPER medical treatment she would still be alive today. Had they allowed the girls to have PROPER COPING TECHNIQUES the girls would not have more trauma than they previously did. Lakeland Girls Academy is responsible for Naomi Wood's death and trauma to so many young girls in their care and SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAVE KIDS IN THEIR CARE.

Please sign to hold the staff accountable for Naomi's death and to have Lakeland Girls Academy aka Teen challenge permanently shut down so this does not happen to another child and their family.