Mesabi Academy set to close in wake of allegations

Mesabi Academy announced Thursday that it will close its program located on the Iron Range and transition youth at the facility back to their placing agency by the end of June, according to a release from officials at the facility.

A recent and ongoing investigative series from American Public Media into the Mesabi Academy, which is a juvenile corrections facility located in the tiny town of Buhl, has brought a string of reaction and emotion to the region and beyond. Allegations directed toward the facility focused on abuse, some of which were sexual in nature. 

According to Cook County officials, there were at least several boys housed at the facility as of May 11. However, Sue Futterer, the director of Cook County Human Services, said her department was in the process of removing those youth prior to the announcement of Mesabi Academy closing.

The decision to close the correctional and school facility follows in the footsteps of this month’s removal of youth placed by Hennepin and Ramsey counties, and the decision by Minnesota’s Department of Corrections to halt admissions at Mesabi.

“This has been a very difficult decision, because we know the allegations made or insinuated through the media reports are not true,” the statement said. “Mesabi Academy has provided excellent care and a safe environment for the youth placed there since its founding in 1998. It's completely unfair that the exceptional work of our staff has been called into question in these reports, and that they have been characterized as having any higher priority than the safety and well-being of the kids placed at Mesabi Academy.”

To listen to a recent story on WTIP about Mesabi Academy and the allegations, click here.