Teen Dies in Montana Youth Challenge Academy
On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, a student died at the Montana Youth Challenge Academy in Dillon, MT.
According to sources with knowledge of the investigation, a 17-year-old from Missoula, MT, was found dead at the academy, but police do not currently consider the death to be criminal. The current class of cadets are set to graduate on June 20.
The Montana Youth Challenge Academy is one of 45 National Guard Youth Challenge Programs that exist across 27 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. According to the national program website, the academies serve “15½ – 18-year-olds who have diverted from traditional academic pathways so that they may become contributing American citizens. It utilizes military-type training based on structure, discipline, and consistency to teach struggling adolescents the skills needed for their future success, embodied in eight core components—academics; physical fitness; health and hygiene; citizenship; life skills; job skills; leadership/followership; and service to community.”
This training comes in the form of a 20-week residential program followed by a 12-month post-residential phase, which includes mentorship and other resources.
Since 2020, seven Youth Challenge programs around the country have closed or announced an imminent closure, many of which were plagued by repeated investigations and allegations of abuse.
An outpouring of support for the cadet and his family, as well as current cadets and staff, have flooded the conversation surrounding the incident. However, several former cadets and family members have also shared stories of bullying, abuse, and staff indifference, as well as calls to increase staffing and training.
Former cadet Ashleigh Berns, who graduated from Montana Youth Challenge Academy in 2023, told TTI Watch that she witnessed fights between the cadets nearly daily. “One of my friends at the time was attacked by another female cadet who had turned finger nail clippers into a shank,” said Berns. “The staff didn’t do anything about the fights at all. nor did they report the attack on my friend until the next day. There were only a few good seargents when I was there. … The other staff members pretended like nothing happened and everything was normal.”
The Montana Youth Challenge Academy website claims “our program combines best practices in positive youth development from both educational and military models. We provide a safe and structured environment where students can learn and grow.”
In a statement issued to the press, Brig. Gen. Trent Gibson, Adjutant General of Montana, said “As a father, my heart breaks for this young person’s family and all who loved them. … After 26 years with the Montana Youth Challenge Academy, including serving as the former director, I know firsthand how much the staff care for every cadet who walks through the door.”
In the same statement, the program also asked for “privacy and compassion during this difficult time.”
The Beaverhead Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to comment on this story.
TTI Watch will continue to investigate the story and update this article as the investigation progresses.