Their kids died in Utah teen treatment programs. Now, these parents are asking Utah lawmakers to beef up oversight.
Author: Jessica Schreifels
Summary:
Parents of teens who died in Utah treatment facilities spoke to lawmakers in support of SB297, a bill to strengthen oversight of the troubled teen industry. Dean Goodridge described how his daughter Taylor died at Diamond Ranch Academy after staff failed to get her medical help for a treatable infection. Katy Silvers said her son Biruk died by suicide at Discovery Ranch after telling his therapist he had a detailed plan. The program never informed his family. Both parents said their children could have been saved if someone had acted.
SB297 would fund an independent ombudsman to investigate complaints and create an advisory board to review whether facilities are admitting youth they are equipped to serve. Primary Children’s Hospital reported treating 169 out-of-state children from Utah programs in 2024, leading to a shortage of beds for local kids. The average stay for those out-of-state youth was 30 percent longer. One child lived in the hospital for five months, blocking care for 22 Utah patients. Although some families defended the programs, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to move the bill forward.