The Diamond Ranch Academy will be closing its doors on August 14, after being denied license renewal by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services due to numerous deaths of children, stating that all under their care must be discharged.
Executive Director Ricky Dias argued they received unfair treatment from the state – claiming that they don’t care for the well-being of children. However, a review panel cites the death of Taylor Goodridge as an example of their negligence.
The 17-year old, from the Stillaguamish Tribe, was placed in facility’s care by her parents to resolve her behavioral issues, with her tribe paying $12,000 a month. She repeatedly vomited and became paler overtime, but staff ignored her condition.
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Negligence And Anger
They eventually took a blood sample but she had already passed away before the results came. Former staff members came forward and said the facility taught them that some children will fake their illness to seek attention, and would control when and who they talk to over the phone.
The review panel argued against the facility, noting her concerning symptoms were enough warning signs to immediately call a doctor. However, the HHS notes this isn’t the first instance it happened, Taylor was the third to die under the facility’s care.
The HSS notes they’ve previously prohibited the facility’s license.
Her parents thought it was an accident, but once they received the news surrounding the actual circumstances of her death, they were furious with the facility’s negligence and filed a lawsuit – feeling glad that the state was holding the facility accountable.
The Academy tried to toss it away arguing that failure to provide adequate healthcare wouldn’t fall under harmful conditions. The Department of Commerce expresses sadness over the teen’s death, citing it was curable yet the facility still chose to ignore her.
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Source: NBC News
