Teenager sent to Mexican boot camp

Suzie El Madawi was sent to a Boot Camp

A 16-year-old girl has spent 14 months in a special boot camp in Mexico after being sent there by her mother.

Sarah El Madawi, of Halifax, West Yorkshire, took the drastic step after fearing her tearaway daughter Suzie would become involved in drugs and prostitution.

Truant Suzie thought she was going to Ensendada on the Pacific coast for a holiday.

But after arriving at the children's rehabilitation centre Susie was told she had just two minutes to say goodbye to her mother.

If you leave me here don't expect to see me again

Suzie El Madawi

Single mother Sarah said: "She got in with a group of friends who also didn't go to school and was hanging around with people you wouldn't want any child to hang around with.

"My fear was that she would end up dead, pregnant or become a prostitute somewhere with me not knowing where she is."

Treatment at the Casa-by-the-sea centre, which is surrounded by a 15 foot perimeter wall, costs up to £2,000 a month.

Principal Dace Goulding said: "The rules are very strict to the extent of when to go to sleep, when to wake, when to move to class, how to move to class and so forth."

Act of betrayal

Suzie admitted she saw her mother's actions as an act of betrayal.

"My last words to my mum were if you leave me here don't ever expect to see me again," she said. "I was heartbroken."

Suzie returned from the camp just before Christmas a reformed character.

The pair are now living happily together in a secret location as they attempt to rebuild their lives.

"I'm very proud of my daughter," said Sarah. "I was ashamed of her and ashamed of me.

"Not any more. She's fantastic now."

Suzie and Sarah's story was shown on BBC One's Inside Out on Monday.