Facility profile Utah

Eagle Ranch Academy

Open Saint George, Utah

Eagle Ranch Academy is a residential treatment center in Saint George, Utah. It has operated since 1995.

About Eagle Ranch Academy

DI Ranch LLC (a.k.a. Kayenta Homes & Properties), owner of the ranch property used by the program, is owned by Doug Caputo per HEAL.source It was founded by Paul Arslanian and David Arslanian.source 1, source 2, source 3 It was owned by David Arslanian (co-owner).source Hyrum W. Smith owns the property where it operates.source

Its address was 115 West 1470 South, St. George, UT 84770.source 1, source 2 It cost about $800 per day.source It was described as an eight-value level program with three-day seminars.source Stays lasted 6 to 10 months.source The minimum stay was 6 months under the 2009 enrollment agreement.source

HEAL says David Arslanian started the program after being fired from Utah State University in 1999.source It claims it does not take adjudicated youth or youth in foster care; HEAL says a 2008 article shows it does.source Education provided through Wilostar3D (3DLearn) online school.source Other high-ranking officers formerly worked for Aspen Education Group.source It suspected WWASP connection; ERA denies any association.source

Three co-ed Family Groups; seven-packet level system (Discovery through Respect).source It uses Positive Control Systems physical intervention techniques.source It uses Wilostar3D (3DLearn) online schooling as its education provider.source It uses the Positive Control Systems model, same as WWASPS programs.source

It was licensed by the State of Utah as a Residential Treatment Program.source Virtual High School accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.source It claims CARF International; earlier SAIS and SACSCOC claims were false.source Educational services (3DLearn) accredited by SACS.source

Not accredited by the state of Utah, NATSAP or the Joint Commission, per HEAL.source 1, source 2 Washington County Planning Commission recommended a conditional use permit for 20 youth or fewer; Commission approved it June 7, 2005.source It was licensed by the Utah State Department of Human Services (per its enrollment packet).source 1, source 2 HEAL says it has no licensed psychologists or licensed marriage and family therapists on staff.source

Serious violations

What state inspectors found and confirmed here, in their own words. Each finding was picked out of the inspection reports and checked by our team before it was listed.

Physical abuse or assault Inspected Nov 17, 2025

During the unnecessary physical restraint, a staff member pulled the client downward, causing the client’s head to strike the staff member’s knee and subsequently hit the floor; the client incurred a concussion.

From the UT inspection report. Out of compliance, investigation inspection Also: Restraint or seclusion causing injury

Federal funding

Federal money this program received, as government records, congressional reports and news coverage show it.

Paycheck Protection Program loan

  • 2020: Received a Paycheck Protection Program loan of $350,000 to $1 million, approved April 5, 2020, reporting 52 jobs. source

Incidents on record

  1. 1983 Lawsuit

    HEAL reported that psychiatrist Cantril Nielsen, now on the staff list, paid a wrongful-death malpractice settlement in the 1980s over the suicide of a 16-year-old patient (Ada County, Idaho, 1983).source

  2. April 2005 License action

    On April 26, 2005 the Washington County Planning Commission tabled the conditional use permit request for Eagle Ranch Academy at the DI Ranch, saying the applicants were not prepared and needed to provide more information.source

  3. May 2005 License action

    In May 2005 the Beaver County Commission unanimously denied a conditional use permit for Eagle Ranch Academy in the "grove" area of Beaver County, per minutes quoted by HEAL.source

  4. 2006 Incident

    HEAL stated that complaints to police about Eagle Ranch Academy from 2006 to 2013 include reports of sexual offenses, child abuse, and children found unconscious.source

  5. December 2009 Abuse

    A December 2009 recording of a conversation between parents and a child at Eagle Ranch Academy was said by HEAL to expose cult-like seminars, beatings, undisclosed psychotropic drugs and humiliating punishments.source

  6. 2020 Restraint

    A parent reported in a January 2020 review that a daughter was assaulted on her first day and then restrained by an adult male in a neck hold and placed face down on the floor; police viewed video.source

  7. Reported December 2025 Abuse

    Survivors report violent restraints, solitary confinement as punishment, dehumanization and cult-like brainwashing techniques.source

News coverage

Staff

Administration

  • Dave Arslanian

    Former Co-Founder, Director of Admissions & Placement (2013)source

  • Paul Arslanian

    Former Co-Founder, Executive Director (2013)source

  • Katherine Benson

    Asst. Program Dir., Assistant Program Director (2018-2025, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • Millcreek Youth Center Psychologist Assistant, before 2018
    • SunHawk Academy Assistant Program Director, before 2018

Notable staff

  • David ("Dave") Arslanian

    Co-Founder and Admissions Directorsource

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • Utah State University football Football coach, 2000
    • Utah State Football coach, before 2005

  • Fotu Soliai

    Therapistsource

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Kelly Jo Miller

    Former Vice President/Ownersource

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • (https://www
    • SunHawk Academy Former Clinical/Program Director/Case Manager/Residential Counselor (2018)

  • Adam James Lister/Ligster

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • State of Utah Juvenile Justice System Staff, before 2018

  • Allen Fay

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Anaseini "Pou" Wright

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Angie Aday

    Former Office Asst. (2018, HEAL)source

  • Asiah Liuleraega

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Ben Haycock

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Beverly Hall

    Former Account Coordinator (2018, HEAL)source

  • Bill Brieg

    Former Cook (2018, HEAL)source

  • Bob Chaviar

    Former Staff, Case Manager (2015-2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Bonnie Johnson

    Former Insurance Specialist (2018, HEAL)source

  • Braxtin Ellet

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Cantril Nielsen

    Former Psychiatrist (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • Sunrise Residential Treatment Center (Hurricane, UT) Psychiatrist, before 2018
    • Moonridge Academy Contracted psychiatrist, 2021
    • Sunrise RTC Psychiatrist, before 2021

  • Chris Arslanian

    Former Parent Specialist (2018, HEAL)source

  • Chris Cortez

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Collete Tannehil

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Dan Huntsman

    Former Therapist (2018, HEAL)source

  • Dan Slaugh

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • SunHawk Academy Professional Staff/Teacher, before 2018
    • Rain Dancer Youth Program Professional Staff/Teacher, before 2018

  • Daniel Afualo

    Former Therapist (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Darrell Benson

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • David Graham

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • David Woodbury

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Deborah Berg

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Dennis Mitchell

    Former Medical Asst. (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Eric Pomeroy

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Erika Swensen-Field

    Former Nurse (2018, HEAL)source

  • Gene Fakatoumafi

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Heather Fay

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Heidi Lindsley

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Hollie Belair

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Jake Reddick

    Former Psychiatric Nurse (2018, HEAL)source

  • James Arslanian

    Former Attorney/Admissions Director (2018, HEAL)source

  • James Evertson

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Jason Lindsley

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Jennifer Francesca Hinton

    Former Intake Therapist (2018, HEAL)source

  • Joy Ann "Annie" Weippert

    Former Therapist (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Julie Arslanian

    Former Admin. Director (2018, HEAL)source

  • Kathy McKean

    Former Nurse (2018, HEAL)source

  • Kathy Young

    Former Seminar Director (2018, HEAL)source

  • Kelvin Johnson

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Kenneth L. Hennefer

    Former Staff Training/Behavioral (2018, HEAL)source

  • Krystlelie Jones

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Lauren Hill

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Lesley Shaw

    Former Academic Coordinator (2018, HEAL)source

  • Levi Manatai

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Lori Brandt

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Mark Brady

    Former Admissions (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Mark Holliday

    Former Staff (2015-2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Megan Fischer

    Former Academic Coordinator (2018, HEAL)source

  • Myrle (Lee) Dalton-McIntosh

    Former Educational Con-Artist (or is it consultant?) (2018, HEAL)source

  • Natasha Fakatoumafi

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Pam Tulley

    Former Nurse (2018, HEAL)source

  • Penny Frank

    Former Therapist (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Petina Dutro

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Phil Clark

    Former Staff (2015-2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • Ray Hosner

    Former Registered Agent (2018, HEAL)source

  • Richard Y. Moody

    Former Clinical Consultant, Psychiatrist (2007-2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Staff, before 2018
    • Central Utah Mental Health (Millard County) Team Leader, before 2018
    • SunHawk Academy Clinical Director, Psychiatrist/Behavioral Engineer, before 2018
    • Utah Department of Corrections Clinical Psychologist, before 2018
    • TurningLeaf Wellness Center (St. George, UT) Co-founder, before 2018

  • Robyn Woods

    Former Admissions (2018, HEAL)source

  • Roxann Faux

    Former Nurse (2018, HEAL)source

  • Seattle Umi

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Shannon Wellhoff

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Sherry Christensen

    Former Admissions Counselor (2018, HEAL)source

  • Siasosi Umi

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Sierra Bawden

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Sierra Miller

    Staff (2025, r/troubledteens wiki)source

  • Spencer Munoz

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Ted Johnson

    Former Kitchen Asst. & Head of Security (2018, HEAL)source

  • Tracy Wardrop

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • Tyrone Hardward

    Former Staff (2018, HEAL)source

  • V. Gerry Thamert

    Former Clinical Director (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

  • William "Troy" Young

    Former Staff & Kathy Young's Son (2018, HEAL)source

    Elsewhere in the industry

    • Wellspring Autism Network Vice President of Network Development, 2009

  • Cantrill Nielsen

    Psychiatrist

    Elsewhere in the industry

Licensing and inspections

Licensed as
Eagle Ranch Academy, Inc
License category
Residential Treatment
Licensed capacity
57
License expires
04/30/2027
Licensing action
Licensed
Phone on file
4356528488
Licensed address
115 W 1470 S, Saint George, UT, 84770

30 inspection reports on file; the serious findings in them are listed above. Search all Utah reports

The newest 25 reports, by date: 3 findings in 2 reports
  1. Aug 20, 2026 2nd Unannounced
  2. May 13, 2026 Unannounced, Annual Inspection
  3. Apr 30, 2026 Investigation Inspection
  4. Mar 26, 2026 Announced, Annual Inspection
  5. Mar 17, 2026 Investigation Inspection
  6. Nov 17, 2025 Investigation Inspection (2 findings)
    2 findings

    • Out of compliance, investigation inspection : R380-80-5(4) Provider shall protect clients from abuse, prevent abuse

      The provider was out of compliance with R380-80-5(4) by not protecting clients from harm or mistreatment and any action that may compromise the health and safety through acts or omissions and shall instruct and encourage others to do the same. During the investigation inspection, the evidence substantiated that on November 4, 2025, staff members harmed a client by forcibly removing a client from the top bunk of a bed. During the unnecessary physical restraint, a staff member pulled the client downward, causing the client’s head to strike the staff member’s knee and subsequently hit the floor; the client incurred a concussion.

    • Out of compliance, investigation inspection : R380-80-5(3) Provider shall comply with policies and safe practices

      The provider was out of compliance with R380-80-5(3) by not complying with applicable and safe practices that address the appropriate treatment of clients. During the investigation, the evidence substantiated that two staff members failed to comply with the provider’s behavior management policy and procedure by conducting a physical restraint on a client who was not a harm to themselves or others, for staff convenience.

  7. Oct 28, 2025 3rd Unannounced
  8. Oct 27, 2025 Investigation Inspection
  9. Aug 14, 2025 2nd Unannounced
  10. Jun 17, 2025 Investigation Inspection
  11. May 12, 2025 Unannounced, Annual Inspection
  12. Mar 27, 2025 Announced, Annual Inspection
  13. Mar 6, 2025 Investigation Inspection
  14. Oct 21, 2024 Investigation Inspection
  15. Oct 3, 2024 3rd Unannounced
  16. Sep 9, 2024 Follow-Up Inspection, Non On-Site Inspection
  17. Aug 13, 2024 2nd Unannounced
  18. Jul 19, 2024 Follow-Up Inspection, Non On-Site Inspection
  19. Jun 4, 2024 Follow-Up Inspection
  20. May 23, 2024 Investigation Inspection
  21. May 21, 2024 Unannounced, Annual Inspection
  22. May 14, 2024 Non On-Site Inspection
  23. May 7, 2024 Non On-Site Inspection (1 finding)
    1 finding

    • Out of compliance, non on-site inspection : R380-600-7(16)(a)-(d) Critical incidents reporting requirements

      The provider was out of compliance with this rule by failing to report a critical incident by the next business day. During review of critical incidents it was identified that the incident occurred on 5/4/2024 and was not reported until 5/7/2024. This is a repeat noncompliance.

  24. Apr 25, 2024 Follow-Up Inspection
  25. Mar 28, 2024 Announced, Annual Inspection

Documents

Documents on file (2)
Woodbury Reports Mentions (2)

From the Unsilenced archive

45 documents about Eagle Ranch Academy that Unsilenced collected and Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. They open on Unsilenced's Google Drive. Their whole folder: Eagle Ranch Academy.

Documents (45)

From SCIAD NET

15 documents about Eagle Ranch Academy that Kids Over Profits does not hold a copy of. SCIAD NET keeps them on Google Drive, where they open.

DHS Records (1)
Program Documents (14)

Survivor testimony

What people who lived or worked here say happened. Survivors' own words are published with their permission; forum accounts are what was posted publicly and are reported as claims, not findings.

Reported on survivor forums

Wiki entries

Materials and links

External links

A program's own website is linked as an archived snapshot, so the page reads as it did when it was captured.

Survivor posts and discussion

Reference and research

4 of these from SCIAD NET.

Other links

Record updated . Generated from the Kids Over Profits facility database. Suggest a correction