One of the American boys who were being housed at the Atlantis Leadership Academy in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, painted a cruel atmosphere as he recalled his time there.

The boy was among eight, ages 14 to 18, who were earlier this year removed from the American-run boarding school by Jamaica’s Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) in response to abuse allegations.

The boy, in a police statement, recalled how he and others faced a harrowing stay as they were mercilessly beaten by men and deprived of sleep and food.

He named at least four of the main perpetrators, who he said committed the assaults, abuses and executed inhumane punishment on the wards at the American-run boarding school.

The boy told police he arrived in Jamaica from the USA in December 2023 and was placed in a programme at the institution. He said the morning following his arrival, he woke up and saw a ward being beaten.

He also allegedly witnessed other children being constantly abused, verbally and physically.

In his statement, the child said having witnessed the level of abuse, he made plans with another ward to escape. In their execution of the plan, the other boy was caught at the gate.

He revealed he made it through the gate but was later caught on the beach nearby.

He said he was punched and kicked to his body (ribs) by the man, who also squeezed his neck and placed his head under the water, thus preventing him from being able to breathe.

He alleged he was also beaten in the face, which resulted in blood coming from his nose and mouth.

He said he was taken back to the academy, where he was allegedly beaten, waterboarded, punished and deprived of sleep for four consecutive days and nights. He said one man hit him regularly.

The wards, the child told police, were sometimes deprived of food. Others were forced to undergo numerous abuse and inhumane punishment regularly.

The boy said the children were manipulated and set up against each other, which resulted in regular disputes and fighting among them. He said the children were threatened by staff on occasions.

They were also allowed to fight physically, he reported, and the winner congratulated.

He said they continued to undergo verbal and physical abuse and inhumane treatment until members of CPFSA came to visit in February 2024. He said upon the CPFSA’s arrival, one of the men ran to the back of the building.

Five men were arrested and charged on Friday in connection with the abuse allegations.

READ: Five St men charged with abuse of American boys at boarding school

The men were held following special operations and targeted raids in the Pedro Plains policing area.

Those charged are Courtney Williams, 51, from Sandy Bank district; Carson Cox, from the said district; Edison Morris, 39, from Great Bay district; and Odane Maxwell, 30, from Holland Village district, all in St Elizabeth.

Also charged is 23-year-old Damion Herrera, a footballer from Gordon Pen in Spanish Town, St Catherine.