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Written by: A. Smith
Published March 5, 2025 @ 12:58 PM ET
COBB COUNTY, Ga. – Ridgeview Institute, a mental health and substance use treatment facility in Smyrna, is the subject of multiple active sex crime investigations, according to local law enforcement.
The Smyrna Police Department confirmed that since Jan. 1, 2024, officers have responded to 1,511 calls for service, both emergency and non-emergency, at the facility located on South Cobb Drive. Police reports describe patients accusing other patients of rape, sodomy and fondling.
The institute provides psychiatric and addiction treatment for adolescents, adults, and seniors, including residential programs.
Between January 2024 and Feb. 14, 2025, law enforcement has launched 14 investigations into reported sexual offenses at Ridgeview. Of those cases, seven remain open, with victims ranging in age from juveniles to adults as old as 44. The alleged perpetrators in these cases include minors as young as 12 and adults up to 62 years old. Police confirmed that all reported incidents involve Ridgeview patients.
The most recent active case was reported on Feb. 11, involving a 12-year-old suspect. In a separate February 2024 case, authorities arrested a suspect following accusations of sodomy involving a 13-year-old and a 16-year-old suspect and two juvenile victims, though police have not disclosed further details.
In July 2024, Smyrna officers responded to an alleged sexual assault at Ridgeview involving Joshua Burney, 34, and a female patient. According to court records, Burney, a patient at the facility, was indicted in October on charges of rape and aggravated sodomy. Police reports indicate that two staff members had been assigned to observe the victim but left the room briefly. Upon their return, they found Burney assaulting the patient. Staff initially struggled to remove him before administering an anti-hallucinogenic injection. The victim was later taken to Kennestone Hospital for treatment. Burney, who allegedly threatened the victim during the assault, remains in custody at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center after his request for bond was denied on Feb. 4.
Cobb District Attorney Sonya Allen acknowledged the growing number of cases tied to Ridgeview. In a statement, she assured the public that her office is closely monitoring the investigations:
“The sheer number of accusations is very concerning to this Office,” Allen said in a statement. “Our law enforcement partners are currently investigating this matter and our Office will continue watching as their investigation unfolds. While we cannot comment on any specifics of any ongoing investigation, I want to assure the public that this Office is committed to pursuing justice with integrity and transparency once our law enforcement partners complete their investigation. I would encourage anyone with information on this matter to come forward as we all strive to protect the safety of our community.”
Ridgeview Institute has not issued a comment regarding the ongoing investigations.
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