Embattled Southwest Key closing Montana Vista shelter

EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM ) — Southwest Key’s Casa Trail House shelter in Montana Vista is closing, according to a letter sent to KTSM.

The letter reads in part: “Southwest Key will discontinue providing services to the office of Refugee Resettlement for the care of unaccompanied children. As a result, Casa Trail House will close and all program staff will be laid off effective Nov. 9.”

Sources have told KTSM that there are about 700 employees at the facility.

This 25-acre shelter, funded through federal grants, opened in October 2020. It is located in Montana Vista and is designed to accommodate more than 500 children.

Southwest Key did not give a reason for the closure.

As we previously reported, the Department of Justice is suing the nonprofit, accusing employees at some of their shelters, including one in Downtown El Paso, of raping, touching, and soliciting sex and nude images from children.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.