No Charges in Death of Boy at North Carolina Wilderness Camp

A 12-year-old boy suffocated in a tent-like structure at Trails Carolina, but prosecutors found no criminal intent or recklessness to warrant charges.

Clark Harman, a 12-year-old with a history of anxiety and ADHD, died less than 24 hours after arriving at Trails Carolina from New York.
Harman suffocated while sleeping in a bivy, a small camping enclosure, which was fully secured, restricting airflow and leading to his death.
The district attorney stated the evidence did not meet the high legal threshold for involuntary manslaughter due to lack of criminal intent or recklessness.
Following the incident, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services revoked Trails Carolina's license, citing multiple deficiencies.
The tragedy has intensified scrutiny and calls for reform in the troubled teen industry, which has been criticized for harsh and unsafe conditions.