Logan River Academy

Lawsuits

• sued the school 2019 | Closed | United States District Court, Central District of California | 2:19-cv-05008-ODW-JPR Names this facility

  Outcome: The court granted the motion to transfer venue to the District of Utah and denied the motion to dismiss as moot, terminating the case in this district.

  Plaintiff Samantha Gerson filed a civil complaint against Logan River Academy and affiliated staff members alleging childhood sexual abuse, negligence, and related claims. The complaint details her involuntary transport from her high school in California to the residential facility in Utah in 2008, where she alleges she was subjected to abuse by a staff member. The document outlines multiple claims for relief including emotional distress, negligent supervision, and failure to warn or train.

• Samantha Gerson v. Logan River Academy 2019 | Closed | UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA | 2:19-cv-05008-ODW-JPR Names this facility

  Outcome: The court granted the defendant's motion to transfer venue to the United States District Court for the District of Utah, and denied the motion to dismiss as moot.

  Plaintiff Samantha Gerson filed a civil complaint against Logan River Academy and associated staff members alleging childhood sexual abuse, negligence, and related torts. The complaint details allegations that Plaintiff was involuntarily removed from her high school in California and transported to the residential facility in Utah, where she experienced abuse by a staff member. The document outlines multiple claims for relief including failure to supervise, emotional distress, and requests for punitive damages.

Every case in the lawsuit directory

Incidents on record

1. 2006 Restraint

   A survivor account sent to HEAL says staff held a small boy down in the DEVO unit and repeatedly smashed his head against the ground; HEAL reports it as the survivor's allegation (stay in 2006-2007).source

2. July 2007 Sexual abuse

   A survivor account says a returning female resident had sexual contact with a staff member in July 2007, that residents were told talking about it would earn a Class IV, and that the staff member kept his job and was only banned from the girls floors.source

3. 2009 Lawsuit

   In 2009 HEAL received a habeas corpus statement for a 15-year-old California girl held at Logan River Academy in Utah, arguing the program deprived her of liberty.source

4. 2013 Incident

   In 2013 the group Anonymous began a campaign to get Logan River Academy shut down over reported abuse and neglect.source

5. 2019 Criminal charge

   The resident accused in 2019 pleaded no contest to three counts of misdemeanor sexual battery and was sentenced to continue treatment at the center.source

6. February 2019 Sexual abuse

   In February 2019 a 15-year-old resident accused another resident of molesting her many times.source

7. June 9, 2019 Lawsuit

   On June 9 2019 a former resident sued the school alleging childhood sexual abuse by a staff member, negligence, and infliction of emotional distress.source

8. November 2019 Restraint

   A former staff member reports an acting residential manager body-slammed a teen to the ground head first, breaking the teen's finger, and the incident report was falsified.source

9. February 2020 Sexual abuse

   A 2020 Yelp review alleges a student sexually assaulted several younger students and was only transferred to a facility for incarceration after six instances.source

10. Sexual abuse

    A survivor reports a 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by a staff member and residents were told not to tell their parents.source

11. 2021 Arrest

    HEAL linked to an article on the 2021 arrest of Logan River staff for sexual abuse.source

12. March 5, 2021 Arrest

    On March 5 2021 an employee was arrested on suspicion of forcible sex abuse after a female resident reported being molested; charges were dropped in November 2021.source

13. Abuse

    Survivors report the Development ("Devo") punishment, a form of solitary confinement, with some students allegedly spending weeks to months on it.source

14. Incident

    HEAL categorizes Logan River Academy as a Confirmedly Abusive program.source

15. Restraint

    Survivors and former staff report that physical interventions (restraints) are extremely common and often injure teenagers.source

16. Incident

    HEAL received over 20 e-mail reports alleging abuse and violations at Logan River Academy.source

News coverage

Staff

Administration

• Larry Carter

  Executive Director, CEO (2006-2012)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Aspen Education Group Senior Vice-President of In-Patient Services
  • Provo Canyon School Therapist, before 2000

• Lori Connin

  Finance Director/Ownersource

• Mark Petersen

  Director of Residential Svcs/Ownersource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • the Clinical/Admitting Director of Logan River Academy
  • Teen Help LLC sales rep

• Robert H. Crist

  Founder, Medical Director/Owner, Medical Director (2000-2025, r/troubledteens wiki)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Provo Canyon School Medical Director, Owner and Medical Director, Employee, Co-founder, Founder, Medical Director/Co-Founder, Original owner, 1971-2025
  • Silverado Academy Medical Director, Ran the program, 2006-2020
  • Stillwater Academy Psychiatrist, 2010
  • Silverado Academy/Boys Ranch Founder, Co-Founder, before 2022
  • Discovery Academy Vice Pres./Owner, Owner/Vice President

Notable staff

• Andrea Boyd

  Former Admissions (2007)source

• Beth Kiester

  Administrative Assistant (2007)source

• Doug Miller

  Admissions Coordinator (2007)source

• Heather Capson

  Admissions Director (2013)source

• Lindy P. Smith

  Admissions Manager (2007)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Eastwood Center Director of Admissions, 2012

• Margaret Oak

  Former Admissions and Marketing Director, Admissions Director (2010-2012)source

• Jason Dalton

  Former Staff (before 2012)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Crossroads Academy RTC Primary Therapist
  • Second Nature Wilderness Therapist

• Jeff Smith

  Co-Founder and Ownersource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Mount Bachelor Academy Teacher, 2021
  • Provo Canyon School CEO

• Andrew Burris

  Staff (2013, r/troubledteens wiki)source

• Braden Jenks

  Residential staff, later residential supervisor on the crisis dorm, Residential supervisor on the crisis dorm (2018-2019, r/troubledteens wiki)source

• Chandler Olsen

  Staff (2013, r/troubledteens wiki)source

• Craig Rodabaugh

  Clinical/Admitting Directorsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • La Europa Academy Clinical Director
  • Tavasi Director, before 2006
  • CERTS – Kolob Canyon Residential Treatment Center Executive Director, 2006
  • Certified Educational, Recreational, and Therapeutic Schools and Programs (CERTS) Executive Director, 2006
  • Provo Canyon School Therapist (Former), 1990
  • Moonridge Academy Executive Director, CERTS Exec. Director
  • Natsap Board of Directors member, Board member
  • Kolob Canyon RTC Executive/Clinical Director
  • Mountain Springs Preparatory Academy Executive Director

• Darby Golden

  Staff (2013-2021, r/troubledteens wiki)source

• David Allred

  Therapistsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Falcon Ridge Ranch Executive Director, before 2025
  • Lava Heights Academy Executive Director

• Jordan Buckley

  Former Staffsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Diamond Ranch Academy Staff
  • Alpine Academy Family Teacher

• Katie Bem

  Therapist (2002, r/troubledteens wiki)source

• Krys Oyler

  Therapistsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Family Support and Treatment Center Intern
  • Avalon Hills Eating Disorder Program Therapist

• Linsie D. Thornock

  Employee (2021, r/troubledteens wiki)source

• Tracy Schrunk

  Therapist (2001, r/troubledteens wiki)source

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Vista RTC Therapist
  • Ascent Wilderness Therapy Clinical Director
  • Fulshear Ranch Academy Executive Director
  • Wingate Wilderness Therapy Therapist
  • Fulshear Ranch Executive Director
  • Fulshear Treatment to Transition – The Ranch Executive Director, 2009
  • Outback Therapeutic Expeditions Therapist, 2011-2017
  • Vista Magna RTC therapist
  • Vista Treatment Centers therapist
  • Fulshear Treatment to Transition exec director

• Aaron Enddicott

  Residential Staffsource

• Alyson Egan

  Nursesource

• Andrea Manning

  Staffsource

• Andrew Kraning

  Staffsource

• Austin Wood

  Therapistsource

• Ben Watkins

  Teachersource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • unnamed wilderness program Staff

• Bill Chandler

  Teachersource

• Brandon Wood

  Development Staffsource

• Brooke Lambert

  Teachersource

• Bryn Bingham

  Therapistsource

• Cameron Armstrong

  Therapistsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • ScenicView Academy Therapist
  • Telos Academy Therapist
  • Heritage Schools, Inc. Therapist

• Carly Palacios

  Teachersource

• Chad Carter

  Residential Staffsource

• Chris Baum

  Residentialsource

• Chris Brockman

  Residential Staffsource

• Clint Firth

  Teachersource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Discovery Ranch South Academic Director

• Cyndi Johnson

  Teachersource

• Deon Atwood

  Kitchen Staffsource

• Derrick Trujillo

  Dorm 9 Staffsource

• Elliott Rich

  Academic Coordinatorsource

• Eric Alder

  Teachersource

• Garret Wood

  Dorm 5 Staffsource

• Greg Carter

  Staffsource

• Janaka VanderKooi

  Therapistsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Three Rivers Behavioral Institute Female adolescent residential unit

• Jason Eric Stanger

  Teachersource

• Jessica Hills

  Teachersource

• Joe Lindsey

  Residentialsource

• John Pinkston III

  Dorm 8 Staffsource

• Joseph "Tui" Pan

  Residential Staffsource

• Julie Williams

  Teachersource

• Justin Koeven

  Tavasi Staffsource

• Justin Smith

  Staffsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Teen Challenge Adventure Ranch Direct Care Staff, CEO and Executive Director
  • Lakeland Marine Institute Staff

• Katie Behm

  Staffsource

• Ken Bott

  Nursesource

• Kirk Farmer

  Academic Directorsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Provo Canyon School Ed. Supervisor

• Lance Atwood

  Maintenancesource

• Lanee Adamson

  Teachersource

• Liz Severe

  Nursesource

• Marilyn Liddle

  Teachersource

• Mark Nielson

  Dorm 8 Staffsource

• MaryAnn Irvine

  Teachersource

• Matt Erickson

  Clinical Directorsource

• Maureen Olsen

  Coordinatorsource

• Michael Dahle

  Supervisorsource

• Mike Bodrero

  Therapist/Activities Directorsource

• Mike Martinez

  Dorm 3 Staffsource

• Mike Warde

  Dorm 5 Staffsource

• Mont Criddle

  Residential Directorsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Behavioral Health Youth services team

• Nicholas Green

  Development Staffsource

• Ron Wood

  Residentialsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Provo Canyon School Group Living

• Ryan Williams

  Staffsource

  Elsewhere in the industry

  • Silverado Academy Consulting Psychiatrist, Psychiatrist
  • Moonridge Academy Staff

• Sarah Hazzelton

  Therapistsource

• Sau Lee

  Residentialsource

• Sean Maynard

  Therapistsource

• Shannon Kegerries

  Therapistsource

• Shaunda Wenger

  Staffsource

• Tom Manning

  Managersource

Licensing and inspections

Licensed as

Logan River Academy LLC dba Logan River Academy

License category

Residential Treatment

Licensed capacity

82

License expires

09/30/2027

Licensing action

Licensed

Phone on file

4351558400

Licensed address

1683 S Highway 89/91, Logan, UT, 84321

32 inspection reports on file. Search all Utah reports

Connections on the network map

The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.

Wiki entries

• Logan River Academy Logan, UT | 2000-present

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.

• tavasischool.com (archived copy) live site

Government records

• The Report of the Accreditation Visiting Team: Logan River Academy (2009-04-14)

From SCIAD NET.

Survivor posts and discussion

• Michael (Tumblr)
• Shut Down Loagn River Academy - Facebook Group
• former staff member reports
• Anonymous Launches #ShutLoganRiver Campaign
• Link to Samantha's LRA Survivor Testimony
• Safe Teen Schools - Logan River Academy

Advertising and marketing listings

• Logan River Academy Visit Report

Reference and research

• Logan River Academy - Wikipedia Page
• petition
• petition
• Kirby (Yelp)
• D'artagnion (Yelp)
• 478. Logan River Academy
• Logan River Academy NATSAP Directory Listing
• Logan River Academy

3 of these from SCIAD NET.

Other links

• Link to Samantha's Survivor Testimony (archived copy) live site
• Link to Troy's Survivor Testimony (archived copy) live site
• Logan River Academy Website Homepage (archived copy) live site
• video (archived copy) live site
• Click here
• Logan River Academy - Secret Prisons for Teens
• Shutdown Logan River Academy website (archived copy) live site