Lifeline for Youth

Incidents on record

1. 1989 Lawsuit

   In late 1989 an 18-year-old woman sued for $6.5 million alleging she was held against her will; a second suit in 1990 alleged false imprisonment and negligence.source

2. 1990 License action

   KIDS of Greater Salt Lake's license was revoked in 1990 amid allegations of abuse, negligence and fraud, and the program closed.source

News coverage

• D

  Deseret News Jan 21, 1990 Arrest

  Parents Defend Substance-Abuse Program Following Staff Arrests

  Approximately 50 parents of participants in the KIDS of Greater Salt Lake substance-abuse program expressed public support for the facility following media reports of an incident involving two peer counselors. Two staff members were arrested and booked for investigation of unlawful detention and assault after allegedly forcing an adult participant to return to the facility against his will. Program leadership stated that physical restraint of adult clients violates center policy and that the staff members were suspended pending an internal investigation.

Staff

Administration

• W. Kimball DeLaMare

  Former Directorsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Utah KIDS Center of America Director, 1989
  • Island View RTC Co-founder, 1990-2025
  • KIDS of Greater Salt Lake Director, before 1990
  • Natsap President, 1999
  • Aspen Institute for Behavioral Assessment Founder, Co-founder, 2007-2025
  • KIDS of Bergen County Staff, before 2025
  • KIDS Center Director, 2026
  • Oakley School Founder, Co-founder, 1998-2025

Lawsuits

• sued them 1999 | Unknown | Utah Court of Appeals | 981783-CA Names this facility

  Outcome: Summary judgment affirmed

  Robert B. Hansen appealed a trial court's summary judgment in favor of Life-Line, a non‑profit corporation. He argued that his affidavit created a genuine issue of fact regarding whether his employment was at‑will. The appellate court found that he did not allege sufficient specific facts to overcome the presumption of at‑will employment and affirmed the summary judgment. The decision confirms that no implied contract modifying the at‑will relationship existed.

• Kennefick and Whitcomb v. Lifeline for Youth, et al. Filed | Bountiful Judicial District Court, Davis County, Utah

  Joseph Kennefick and Hillary Whitcomb, individually and for the estate of their son Joseph Hunter Kennefick, filed a complaint dated October 19, 2018 in Davis County, Utah against Lifeline for Youth and related entities. They allege that in 2011, while their son was 13 or 14 and in residential drug treatment at Lifeline, two of his counselors took him and other youths out, supplied them alcohol and drugs, and encouraged them to use. The complaint alleges this set off years of relapse and contributed to his death in September 2018 at age 21, and brings thirteen claims including breach of contract, fraud, negligent hiring and wrongful death. The copy on file carries no case number or filing stamp and does not show an outcome. This is a different case from Whitcomb and Clifford v. InnerChange Chrysalis already on the page.

Incidents on record

1. 2018 Runaway

   A 2018 parent review states three patients were allowed to run from the program due to lack of oversight.source

2. October 2020 Abuse

   A survivor reported in an October 2020 review that LifeLine delayed medical care for an oral infection for about two months.source

3. Abuse

   Survivors report an experimental Sexually Reactive Group in which about half a dozen boys were taken off-campus, shown pornography and exposed to repulsive stimuli to make them ill; boys were reportedly placed in it for being gay or sexually active.source

4. Abuse

   Survivors report medical neglect, emotional abuse, brainwashing techniques and food deprivation at LifeLine.source

5. Sexual abuse

   A survivor review alleges a resident had a child with a staff member and that all staff knew.source

Staff

Notable staff

• Shane Petersen

  Former Foundersource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Life-Line, Inc. Administration Director, 2020

• Vern C. Utley

  Former Foundersource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist at Changes Individual and Relational Therapy from 2009 until 2010
  • West Ridge Academy Staff, before 1990
  • Life-Line, Inc. Executive Director, 2020

• Robert B. Hansen

  source

• Dan Scholz

  Former Clinical Director (1998, r/troubledteens wiki)source

• James K. Smith

  Former Clinical Director (1990, r/troubledteens wiki)source

• Jamie Palmer

  Former Clinician, Family Clinician (2005-2008, r/troubledteens wiki)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • the Program Director of Solstice from 2021 until 2023
  • Cottonwood Treatment Center Therapist, 2010-2013
  • ROOTS Transition Executive Clinical Director, 2021-2025
  • Solstice West Clinical Director, Therapist (Autumn Team), 2013-2025

• Jordan L. Larsen

  Former Staffsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Academy at Canyon Creek Director of Clinical Services
  • Catalyst Residential Treatment Center Founder, Admissions Director and Owner, Therapist, Admissions Director and Owner, Admissions/Owner
  • Lineline for Youth Staff
  • Gateway Academy Clinical Team member, before 2019
  • Life-Line Inc clinician

• Kami Black

  Former Therapist (1998-2009, r/troubledteens wiki)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • ROOTS Transition Founder, Executive Director, 2020-2022
  • Life-Line Staff, before 2022
  • Solstice West Therapist, later Executive Director, Executive Clinical Director, Executive Director, Therapist/Clinical Director, 2009-2025

• McKenzie Vierig

  Former Therapist (2017, r/troubledteens wiki)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Changes Individual and Relational Therapy Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, 2010
  • Life-Line, Inc. Clinician, 2020
  • Brighton Recovery Center Clinical Director, 2020