State-Funded Youth Camp Allegedly Forced Alabama Teens into Violent Fighting, Subjecting Them to Abuse
A House of Horrors: Allegations of Abuse and Neglect at Camp SAYLA
Camp SAYLA, a state-funded youth residential facility in Henry County, Alabama, has been the focus of two lawsuits filed in late July 2025. The lawsuits, filed by attorneys Tommy James, Jeremy Knowles, and Caleb Cunningham, allege brutal abuse and systemic neglect within the facility.
The lawsuits describe Camp SAYLA as a "house of horrors" where children were subjected to physical and emotional abuse. Former staff member Kenyatta Danzey, who was arrested in January 2024 on 17 counts of child abuse, is a central figure in the allegations. Despite being on the run for a probation violation, Danzey was still permitted to work directly with children at the facility. Surveillance footage reportedly captured Danzey physically abusing children, including beating them so severely with broomsticks that they broke [1][2][3].
The lawsuits seek compensatory and punitive damages and represent multiple children harmed not only at Camp SAYLA but also at similar facilities statewide. Attorney Jeremy Knowles stated, "These are not isolated incidents" [4]. The legal team aims to bring justice for the victims and highlight systemic issues in youth care facilities across Alabama.
The future of Camp SAYLA remains uncertain. As of early August 2025, no information from the search results indicates if the facility has been closed or if any regulatory changes or facility improvements have been mandated following the lawsuits. The legal process is ongoing, and these lawsuits serve as both a pursuit of accountability and a warning to other such institutions about tolerating abuse [1][2][3].
Residents at Camp SAYLA are referred by juvenile courts but are not in the custody of the Alabama Department of Youth Services (DYS) [5]. The case is seen as a representation of a broken system across Alabama and the country that hides abuse behind locked doors. The lawsuits call for greater transparency and accountability in the oversight of youth residential facilities across the state [6].
The legal team represents children in similar camps across the state and believes there are other victims. They emphasize that the case is about justice for their clients and a warning to every other facility about intolerance for such abuse. Reporter Jacob Holmes is covering the story, providing updates as the legal process unfolds [7].
References:
- AL.com
- Birmingham News
- WBRC Fox6 News
- CBS42
- Yellowhammer News
- Montgomery Advertiser
- Jacob Holmes on Twitter
Law enforcement authorities are investigating the allegations of abuse and neglect at Camp SAYLA, as the case gains traction in political discussions due to its representation of systemic issues in youth care facilities. The legal team, comprising Tommy James, Jeremy Knowles, and Caleb Cunningham, is not only seeking justice for their clients but also advocating for greater transparency and accountability in politics and the general-news sector, focusing on the crime-and-justice system.
