Dr. Phil Called Out By Bhad Bhabie For Using Abusive Treatment Program

Bhad Bhabie owes her career to Dr. Phil. If he didn’t have her on his show as a troubled 13-year-old and she didn’t become a living meme she wouldn’t be where she is today. A recent controversy surrounding Dr. Phil had caused her to come out against him.

Bhabie issued a warning to Dr. Phil on Friday, March 19th. The 17-year-old said that she endured abuse at the hands of the staff at the Turn-About Ranch, a program that Dr. Phil used on a frequent basis to turn troubled teens around. Now she wants an apology, and Dr. Phil has until April 5th to make it happen.

“When I had seen the punishments [Archuleta] was given, I knew I really had to say something … ’cause I truly believe they did that. So, Dr. Phil, I’m going to give you from now to April 5 to issue an apology, not only to me, but to Hannah, and any other child you sent to Turn-About or any other program like this. If you don’t, I’m gonna handle things my way.”

She claimed that she was sent to the Turn-About Ranch not long after her viral Dr. Phil appearance too place. She was surrounded by troubled kids from different backgrounds.

Kids are sent there to modify their behavior and a strict set of rules is in place. She described it as isolated and she didn’t like the environment at all. The intention wasn’t for the Turn-About Ranch to be a vacation, but she compared it to kidnapping.

“There’s nowhere to run. If you try to run out there, they’re gonna find you and you’re gonna get in more trouble; or, if you do get away, you’re gonna get eaten by a coyote,” she said. “I was taken there against my will … [they] come in the middle of the night, they don’t tell [the kids] where they’re going; they just take them, handcuff them, and put them in the car. It’s basically like kidnapping.”

She claims that the Turn-About Ranch deprived her of sleep, proper meals, and warmth. The Utah ranch can get quite cold at night. There were also several instances when teens needed to be physically restrained, something she claims to have witnessed.

“It’s just our word against the staff’s word when you’re there, because there’s no witnesses, there’s no cameras, you don’t have a phone; there’s none of that,” she explained. “That’s why I was so scared to speak out, because I was like, ‘No one’s going to be believe me.’”

Dr. Phil might have to figure out another favorite program to send troubled kids. His program changed dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic started. His guests now appear via Zoom call, but there is still an option to suggest programs such as the Turn-About Ranch. Obviously, there are those who wish he would stop this practice.