Facility profile Utah

White River Academy

Formerly White River Adventuresource

Open Delta, Utah

White River Academy is a therapeutic boarding School/Wilderness program in Delta, Utah. It has operated since 2005.

About White River Academy

It was founded by Randall Hinton and Justin Nielson.source It was run by Sovereign Health Group.source

It cost roughly $38,000 per year in 2005.source Stays lasted roughly 16.5 months.source

It joined NATSAP in 2014.source

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

Timeline

From the records: who ran it and the deals that moved it, its names, and the deaths, incidents, inspection findings, lawsuits and news stories on file. Point at an event, or tap "More about this", for the details.

20052007201420182021202520052025

  1. 2005

    1. Opened

      Opened in Delta, Utah

  2. 2007

    1. Incident

      Arrest

      In 2007 a 16-year-old resident was arrested for aggravated assault after allegedly stabbing a 17-year-old resident in the shoulder with a kitchen knife; the victim went to hospital.

      Arrest

      source

  3. 2014

    1. Incident

      Lawsuit

      In 2014 the Stencel family of Alaska sued White River Academy, USA Guides and four individuals in federal court alleging a student was held against his will...

      Lawsuit

      In 2014 the Stencel family of Alaska sued White River Academy, USA Guides and four individuals in federal court alleging a student was held against his will, isolated and forced to work in extreme heat.

      source

  4. 2018

    1. Incident

      Investigation

      After a 2018 complaint to Utah DHS, the state found the program improperly used a seclusion room with a boarded-up window and no ventilation, keeping residents...

      Investigation

      After a 2018 complaint to Utah DHS, the state found the program improperly used a seclusion room with a boarded-up window and no ventilation, keeping residents in it for several days; the facility accepted the violations.

      source

  5. 2021

    1. IncidentMay 2021

      License action

      After SB127 took effect in May 2021 Utah regulators issued a Notice of Agency Action after video showed staff using pain to induce compliance, hyperextending...

      License action May 2021

      After SB127 took effect in May 2021 Utah regulators issued a Notice of Agency Action after video showed staff using pain to induce compliance, hyperextending joints and improperly using seclusion.

      source

  6. 2025

    1. Inspections

      State inspectors recorded a serious finding

      Restraint or seclusion causing injury.

      State inspectors recorded a serious finding

      Jun 25, 2025: While on site for interviews on 6/24/2025, it was reported that during a restraint, a staff member placed their hands on the neck of a client and proceeded to squeeze with enough force to leave a red mark on the client’s neck afterwards.

      Read the findings

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.

Restraint or seclusion causing injury Inspected Jun 25, 2025

While on site for interviews on 6/24/2025, it was reported that during a restraint, a staff member placed their hands on the neck of a client and proceeded to squeeze with enough force to leave a red mark on the client’s neck afterwards.

From the UT inspection report. Out of compliance, investigation inspection

Incidents on record

  1. 2007 Arrest

    In 2007 a 16-year-old resident was arrested for aggravated assault after allegedly stabbing a 17-year-old resident in the shoulder with a kitchen knife; the victim went to hospital.source

  2. 2014 Lawsuit

    In 2014 the Stencel family of Alaska sued White River Academy, USA Guides and four individuals in federal court alleging a student was held against his will, isolated and forced to work in extreme heat.source

  3. 2018 Investigation

    After a 2018 complaint to Utah DHS, the state found the program improperly used a seclusion room with a boarded-up window and no ventilation, keeping residents in it for several days; the facility accepted the violations.source

  4. May 2021 License action

    After SB127 took effect in May 2021 Utah regulators issued a Notice of Agency Action after video showed staff using pain to induce compliance, hyperextending joints and improperly using seclusion.source

News coverage

  • The Imprint Jul 22, 2025 Closure

    ‘State-sponsored Abandonment’ No More: California Stops Paying for Adoptees Sent to Out-of-State Treatment Centers

    California has ceased funding residential treatment placements for adopted foster youth in other states, closing what advocates termed a dangerous loophole. The decision follows revelations that hundreds of children were sent to facilities with histories of violations, including several since-shuttered programs. At least 676 adoptees were placed in out-of-state centers since 2020, with many attending problematic facilities. Among them were Sequel Youth and Family Services programs like Iowa’s Clarinda Academy and Utah’s Red Rock Canyon School, both closed after abuse scandals. Other placements included Utah’s Havenwood Academy, disciplined for improper restraints, and Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center, sanctioned for excessive punishments. Three Points Ranch ceased operations in 2025 following violations, while White River Academy continues accepting California-funded youth under existing contracts.

Staff

Notable staff

Licensing and inspections

Licensed as
White River Academy Foundation
License category
Day Treatment
Licensed capacity
36
License expires
04/30/2027
Licensing action
Licensed
Phone on file
4356592368
Licensed address
275 W 100 S, Delta, UT, 84624

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

The newest 25 reports, by date: 12 findings in 5 reports
  1. Sep 14, 2026 Follow-Up Inspection
  2. Aug 13, 2026 2nd Unannounced
  3. Jun 3, 2026 Unannounced, Annual Inspection
  4. Mar 31, 2026 Investigation Inspection, Non On-Site Inspection
  5. Mar 11, 2026 Non On-Site Inspection
  6. Mar 5, 2026 Announced, Annual Inspection
  7. Oct 14, 2025 3rd Unannounced
  8. Aug 25, 2025 2nd Unannounced
  9. Jun 25, 2025 Investigation Inspection (1 finding)
    1 finding

    • Out of compliance, investigation inspection : R380-80-6(1)(a)-(i) Client rights

      The provider is out of compliance with R380-80-6(1)(c) by the staff failing to keep clients free from potential harm. While on site for interviews on 6/24/2025, it was reported that during a restraint, a staff member placed their hands on the neck of a client and proceeded to squeeze with enough force to leave a red mark on the client’s neck afterwards.

  10. May 14, 2025 Investigation Inspection
  11. May 6, 2025 Unannounced, Annual Inspection
  12. Apr 9, 2025 Follow-Up Inspection, Non On-Site Inspection
  13. Mar 20, 2025 Announced, Annual Inspection (6 findings)
    6 findings

    • Out of compliance, announced, annual inspection : R501-1-16(2)(a)-(q) Program policy and training

      The Licensee was out of compliance with R501-1-16 (2) by not completing annual training. During the employee file inspection there was missing required annual training. This a repeat non-compliance cited on 5/9/24.

    • Out of compliance, announced, annual inspection : R501-1-16(1)(a)-(u) Pre-service training requirements

      The Licensee was out of compliance with R501-1-16(1) by ensure that each staff receives pre-serving training within 30-days of hire. During the employee file inspection a staff member hadn't received the required preservice training. This a repeat non-compliance cited on 5/9/24.

    • Out of compliance, announced, annual inspection : R501-1-15(4) Residential program unsupervised staff requirements

      The Licensee was out of compliance with R501-1-15(4) by having a staff work unsupervised without a approved background clearance. During the employee file inspection a staff member was discovered to have worked without having an approved background check.

    • Out of compliance, announced, annual inspection : R501-1-8(3) Medication and hazardous items maintenance and storage

      The Licensee was out of compliance with rule R501-1-8(3) by not maintaining hazardous items with consideration of the safety and risk level of the population served. During the inspection, chemicals were not in locked cabinets when not in use. This a repeat non-compliance cited on 9/24/24.

    • Out of compliance, announced, annual inspection : R501-1-8(1)(a)-(i) Facility and safety requirements

      The Licensee was out of compliance with R501-1-8 (1)(a) by not maintaining the building so its clean and free from fire and health hazards. During the inspection the licensor observed broken electrical outlet covers and an area that wasn't clean. This is a repeat noncompliance as noted on 9/24/24, 3/26/24, 12/12/23, 8/24/23, 4/27/23, 1/20/23

    • Out of compliance, announced, annual inspection : R501-14-5(2)(a)-(f) Submitting application for an initial background screening

      The Licensee was out of compliance with R501-14-5 (2)(A) by not submitting an application for an initial background screening no later than two weeks from the applicant becoming associated with the licensee. During the inspection while doing employee document review they had 2 staff missing background checks who had not been associated with program in DACS..

  14. Jan 14, 2025 Investigation Inspection
  15. Dec 16, 2024 3rd Unannounced
  16. Oct 2, 2024 Non On-Site Inspection
  17. Sep 24, 2024 2nd Unannounced (1 finding)
    1 finding

    • Out of compliance, 2nd unannounced : R501-1-8(1)(a)-(i) Facility and safety requirements

      The provider was out of compliance with this rule by not having an electrical outlet in safe condition. During the onsite inspection this licensor observed that several outlets and switches were missing its face and one was not secured to the wall. This is a repeat noncompliance

  18. Aug 20, 2024 Investigation Inspection
  19. Jun 21, 2024 Unannounced, Annual Inspection
  20. Jun 4, 2024 Investigation Inspection
  21. May 9, 2024 Follow-Up Inspection
  22. Mar 26, 2024 Announced, Annual Inspection (1 finding)
    1 finding

    • Out of compliance, announced, annual inspection : R501-1-8(1)(a)-(i) Facility and safety requirements

      The provider was out of compliance with this rule by having an accessible light fixture in a client bedroom that did not have an intact cover and light bulb leaving an exposed socket.

  23. Feb 20, 2024 Investigation Inspection
  24. Jan 31, 2024 Focus Inspection (3 findings)
    3 findings

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

      The provider was out of compliance with the rule by failing to protect clients from alleged abuse by omitting information to an allied investigative agency. During the investigation inspection, provider documentation substantiated that information of an alleged sexual misconduct between 2 clients was not reported to CPS (Child Protective Services) in its entirety leading to the CPS referral to be unaccepted. When the omitted information was reported by the Office of Licensing, the CPS referral was accepted and the case was opened for investigation.

    • Out of compliance, focus inspection : R380-80-6(1)(a)-(i) Client rights

      The provider was out of compliance with this rule by a staff member not ensuring the client(s) were free from potential harm. During an inspection, multiple interviews disclosed that the staff member was not providing active supervision when two clients engaged in inappropriate sexual misconduct on two separate occasions.

    • Out of compliance, focus inspection : R380-80-5(10) Services and supervision to meet each clients needs

      The provider was out of compliance with this rule by a staff member not providing supervision that is commensurate with the behaviors and needs of the clients involved in the incident. During an inspection, multiple interviews disclosed that the staff member was not providing active supervision when two clients engaged in inappropriate sexual misconduct on two separate occasions. Multiple interviews disclosed that one of the clients involved in both incidents has a history of sexually acting out against his peers.

  25. Jan 11, 2024 Investigation Inspection

Documents

Documents on file (2)

From the Unsilenced archive

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

From SCIAD NET

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

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.

Advertising and marketing listings

Reference and research

2 of these from SCIAD NET.

Archived pages

Other links

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