Clark Harman Obituary: 12-Year-Old Boy’s Tragic Death at Trails Carolina Wellness Camp Ruled Homicide
Clark Harman, a vulnerable 12-year-old boy from New York, NY, tragically died on his first night at the Trails Carolina wellness camp, in what coroners have now ruled a homicide. Clark, who suffered from ADHD, migraines, and social challenges, was found in rigor mortis on the morning of February 3rd, after being sealed in a faulty sleeping bag-like tent, known as a bivouac or bivy, with restricted airflow.
Clark had just arrived at the Lake Toxaway site, transported from his New York home by escorts hired by his parents. Staff at the camp placed him in the “burrito-style” bivouac, wrapping it with a thick plastic tarp, sealing it with a lock and alarm to prevent him from escaping. Due to the bivy’s broken mesh door, staff sealed the outer layer, severely restricting airflow and leaving them unable to monitor him adequately during the night.
Former campers have described their harrowing experiences with the bivouac. Vic Mitterando, a former camper who spent three months at Trails Carolina, recounted the inability to move or breathe properly while secured in the bivy. Another former resident, who attended the camp at 14, expressed relief at surviving the camp’s conditions, noting the distressing news of Clark’s death.
On the night of Clark’s death, staff reported taking him out of the bivy after noticing he was restless and mumbling in his sleep. However, when he fell asleep outside, they woke him and secured him back inside the bivy with the alarm. Despite routine checks during the night, Clark was found dead in the morning.
The North Carolina Attorney General is now considering charges against the camp, which had its license revoked last month amid a series of lawsuits alleging neglect and abuse. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s report concluded that the faulty bivouac and its improper use led to Clark’s suffocation.
Clark’s death has sparked outrage and concern over the practices at Trails Carolina, highlighting the need for stringent oversight and reform in such programs. The tragic loss of Clark Harman serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers faced by vulnerable children in these environments.
Clark’s family and loved ones are devastated by his passing, and the community is rallying around them to offer support and condolences. The boy’s tragic death has also raised questions about the regulation and oversight of wellness camps and programs, and the need for greater accountability and transparency.
As the investigation into Clark’s death continues, the focus is on ensuring that those responsible are held accountable, and that measures are taken to prevent such tragedies in the future. The memory of Clark Harman will live on, and his tragic death will not be in vain.
In the wake of Clark’s passing, there are calls for greater awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable children, and the need for safe and supportive environments that prioritize their well-being and safety above all else.
Clark Harman’s tragic death is a devastating reminder of the potential dangers faced by vulnerable children in wellness camps and programs. His legacy will live on, and his memory will inspire change and reform in these environments, ensuring that no other child suffers the same fate.
