The state is investigating an area private facility for juvenile delinquents.

The Department of Human Services is leading the investigation into Mid-Atlantic Youth Services, a secure facility in Emlenton that accepts juveniles through regional court systems throughout the state.

Representatives with the department declined to provide any information on the investigation, citing the Child Protective Services Act.

In response to the investigation, Philadelphia's Department of Human Services suspended the transfer of juveniles in its system to the Emlenton company, according to Heather Keafer, a representative with Philadelphia's department.

“We hope to reopen referrals once mid-Atlantic addresses our program's concerns,” Keafer said, but would not elaborate on the concerns. “We are very much invested and responsible for providing care to children. We're working with our evaluation team to focus on quality of service.”

A representative with Mid-Atlantic Youth Services couldn't be reached in time for publication.

Douglas Ritson, the Butler County chief probation officer, said he hadn't heard about the investigation, but his contact with the organization is limited since he rarely sends youths there.

“We do have a contract with them,” he said. “But we don't have any kids there currently.”

He also noted that Mid-Atlantic is filled with youths coming from Philadelphia's juvenile system.

“They send a heck of a lot more people,” he said. “I'm sure they have the need more so than us to use that secure facility.”

Keafer explained that facilities for juvenile delinquents have a specific role.

“The goal of juvenile justice is different from an adult system,” Keafer said. “The goal is to concentrate more to help kids figure out what's going on in their life, so they don't come back to their community and reoffend.”