KEYMAR, Md. (WBFF) — A former Silver Oak Academy mental health employee said violence inside the rural Carroll County facility was not rare but routine when she was there, adding new pressure to a privately run program already under state scrutiny, alarming local law enforcement, and prompting calls from elected officials to shut it down.
Asking to remain anonymous because her career continues to focus on helping troubled youth, and she said she fears retaliation from the state and Silver Oak, the former employee was asked by phone last week by Spotlight on Maryland how often she saw violence.
Pretty regularly,” she said.
The former employee said it was “rare that a week would go by” without some type of incident, ranging from fights, verbal altercations between staff and resident youth, property destruction, or “something else to that effect.”
A monument sign sits at the beginning of a mile-long driveway on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, for Nevada-based Rites of Passage’s Silver Oak Academy, an alternative, privately operated juvenile foster facility in Carroll County, Md. (Steve Pierce/Spotlight on Maryland)
The woman’s assertions align with records and emergency calls previously obtained by Spotlight on Maryland, which show that Silver Oak has generated more than 100 calls for service since January 2025, resulting in 35 incident reports, including arson, property destruction, assaults, escapes of at-risk juveniles, and motor vehicle thefts.
Silver Oak is operated by Nevada-based Rites of Passage and overseen through Maryland’s Department of Human Services and Department of Juvenile Services.
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The facility primarily now serves as a “staff-secured” residential treatment campus for teenage boys who are in Maryland foster care. Silver Oak does not use fencing, locks or mechanical restraints, according to prior reporting and comments from Rites of Passage.
Dana Rexrode, executive director for Rites of Passage’s eastern district, which includes Silver Oak, told Spotlight on Maryland that their model is therapeutic and said youth move freely with direct supervision.
Another whistleblower account comes from an 18-year-old who Spotlight on Maryland independently confirmed had lived at Silver Oak for a stint. He reached out to a Spotlight reporter two weeks ago to talk about his time at the facility. The young man also wrote on social media that he lived at Silver Oak until last month, describing it as a “hellhole” and saying he experienced a “bad altercation” before leaving.
Spotlight on Maryland is withholding the youth’s name due to his continued involvement in the Maryland foster care system.
Silver Oak Academy in Carroll County, Md., a privately operated foster setting for juveniles under state care. (Steve Pierce/Spotlight on Maryland)
He described during a phone call with Spotlight on Maryland that Silver Oak lacked the structure he was used to in a combination of state and privately operated programs he had experienced throughout his young life. He said that, combined with limited adult interaction, attributed to his “beat down” by other foster children.
“As I just got out of this hellhole a few weeks ago, I encourage you to consider that there is a kid in there without family, infact [sic] multiple,” wrote the young man. “I had a family I went back to but I am the only one who did.”
I am a believer that Silver Oak causes problems more than fixes them,” he continued.
The young man agreed to an on-camera interview last week with Spotlight on Maryland at his grandparents’ house, where he currently resides, on the Eastern Shore. As Spotlight on Maryland was driving to the location, he said his state social worker said he was unable to speak to the media “because I will get kicked out of the program.”
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In the driveway of the house, the young man’s grandfather intervened, despite Spotlight on Maryland’s request to speak to the social worker who was inside with the young man.
“I’m sorry, but this ain’t happening,” the grandfather said.
When asked why, the grandfather said the young man was still under foster care and “cannot speak about this.”
Spotlight on Maryland pressed further, noting that the young man is legally an adult at 18. The grandfather responded that the young man remained in foster care and suggested that the state has told him not to talk.
“No,” the grandfather said. “No. He can’t. I’m sorry.”
The grandfather of an 18-year-old who initially wanted to speak with Spotlight on Maryland about his experience at Silver Oak Academy said the young man “cannot speak about this.” (Steve Pierce/Spotlight on Maryland)
After the encounter, Spotlight on Maryland emailed DHS with several questions, including whether the agency was actively prohibiting clients or staff from speaking about Silver Oak or Maryland’s foster care system. Spotlight also asked whether a state social worker allegedly told the young man not to speak.
In a lengthy statement, DHS spokesperson Lilly Price wrote that the “safety and well-being of youth in our care is our highest priority,” adding that her agency is “actively working with the program leadership of Silver Oak Academy to ensure that the boys in out-of-home (foster) care at Silver Oak have every opportunity to thrive.”
“Anyone receiving services from the Department who wishes to speak publicly about their experience is free to do so,” Price wrote. “Disclosing anyone else’s involvement with the child welfare system or any other services offered by the Department is protected under Human Services 1-201. These provisions are especially important in child welfare cases to protect the privacy of Marylanders as they navigate what can be a confusing and traumatic experience.”
“As a general matter, case workers may remind their clients that these privacy protections are in place for their benefit,” Price added.
Price also redirected Spotlight on Maryland back to their prior statements earlier this month that “prematurely closing this facility before thoughtfully considering alternative placements for these boys would be irresponsible.” She repeated that Silver Oak is on the agency’s “Hot List” and is not accepting any more new youth placements until “they come into compliance.”
“The administrative hearing initially scheduled for last week was moved to later in May, and we look forward to the hearing and a decision on this matter,” Price wrote.
Meanwhile, the former Silver Oak employee who stepped forward with their claims to Spotlight on Maryland said that there is a general fear within the foster system, especially at Silver Oak, about speaking out.
I think there was this kind of culture where you don’t snitch, you don’t cause trouble,” the employee said. “This was among the students as well, and there was a distrust of the system that created and amplified that culture.”
Spotlight on Maryland reached out to Rites of Passage on Monday morning regarding the latest string of allegations. Suzanne Smith, a spokesperson for Rites of Passage, wrote in a statement by email that Silver Oak is “committed to the safety of the youth in our care, and, like any school setting, take physical altercations very seriously.”
“We use structured trauma-informed processes to assess matters involving youth safety and well-being, as trauma can influence how experiences are recalled and communicated,” Smith said. “Our focus is maintaining a safe environment and helping youth develop the skills to manage conflict appropriately.”
Silver Oak Academy in Keymar, Md. (Steve Pierce/Spotlight on Maryland)
While Smith wrote that Rites of Passage is “proud of our dedicated staff,” she targeted the former worker’s credibility.
“As mandated reporters, staff are required to report information truthfully and in accordance with state policies,” Smith wrote. “Any employee who intentionally reports misleading information – particularly when contradicted by video or other third-party evidence – is subject to immediate termination.”
The former employee told Spotlight on Maryland she quit her position with Silver Oak rather than being fired.
Have you experienced or had direct knowledge about the conditions at Silver Oak Academy? Do you have any tips related to this story? Send news tips to gmcollins@sbgtv.com or contact Spotlight on Maryland’s hotline at (410) 467-4670.
Follow Gary Collins on X and Instagram. Spotlight on Maryland is a collaboration between FOX45 News, WJLA in Washington, D.C., and The Baltimore Sun.
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