HILLSBORO, N.M., Oct. 21 (UPI) -- After a group of teenagers went missing, the owner of a New Mexico ranch for troubled youths said Monday the camp uses sometimes uses restraints in its program.
Police executed a search warrant on Oct. 11 at Tierra Blanca Ranch in Hillsboro, N.M., following reports of abuse from former residents of the ranch. An Amber Alert was issued after nine teenagers living there were reported missing. They were found and returned to parents or guardians, alleging abuse at the ranch.
Scott Chandler, owner of the camp since 1994, admitted to NBC News some residents are sometimes put in restraints but added, "That is actually very minimal of what we do.
"The big issue here is people don't understand the types of kids we end up dealing with and the families that have to put children with us. These youths have been through many, many programs in various stages ... when we get them," he said.
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez said, "The search warrant revealed evidence that, I cannot tell you precisely what it was, but it did corroborate some of the allegations of those boys."
The state Children, Youth and Families Department says it has significant evidence of medical and emotional neglect, systematic emotional and psychological abuse, potential criminal child abuse and shacking, handcuffing and hooding of children at the ranch.
