Press Release

PIERCETON — Local law enforcement responded to an incident involving Pierceton Woods Academy residents on Wednesday night.

At 9:07 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, Pierceton Police Department and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Pierceton Woods Academy regarding a disturbance with residents. Pierceton Woods staff reported they didn’t have enough staff members to get the situation under control and were requesting police officers for assistance. They reported that a fire alarm had been pulled and that possibly several of the residents left Pierceton Woods’ campus.

The Town of Pierceton generated a community-wide alert advising citizens of a situation at Pierceton Woods Academy and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.

When the first officers arrived on scene, all the residents were outside. Many were physically fighting and others running around unsupervised. Through the combined efforts of several law enforcement agencies, the situation was quickly brought under control. Medical treatment was provided for the injured, with some residents being transported by ground to local hospitals.

After the situation was brought under control, staff members were eventually able to notify officers that all the residents were accounted for and most of them were back in their assigned units.

Pierceton Police Department was assisted by KCSO, Warsaw Police Department, Winona Lake Police Department, North Webster Police Department, Lutheran EMS, Pierceton Fire Department, and Tippecanoe Township Fire Territory and EMS.

In a press release, Pierceton Woods Academy’s staff said three residents received care for minor injuries, with all residents returning to campus within three hours of the incident.

“The safety of our residents, staff, and community is the number one priority at Pierceton Woods Academy,” said Curtis Smith, chief marketing and communications officer for Lasting Change, PWA’s parent organization. “In response to the Sept. 18 incident on our campus, the Pierceton Woods Academy staff called the local authorities, and we are thankful for their quick response and helpfulness in making sure the situation stayed under control. No youth attempted to leave the PWA campus during this incident and there was no threat to our community.”