ST. GEORGE — The Utah Department of Health and Human Services Office of Licensing has denied the license renewal of Hurricane-based Diamond Ranch Academy, giving the institution strict directions for closure by Aug. 14.
The Therapeutic and Residential Treatment denial letter was posted on the department’s government website July 11. This comes in the wake of recent legal woes resulting from the death of 17-year-old Taylor Goodridge on Dec. 20. The cause of the death was found to be untreated peritonitis, according to the autopsy report.
According to the state’s letter, Diamond Ranch Academy’s license renewal denial is based on several criteria, including possible rules violations or “evidence of conduct adverse to the standards required to provide services and promote public trust, including aiding, abetting, or permitting the commission of abuse, neglect, exploitation, harm, mistreatment, or fraud.”
The letter states that the history of the youth treatment center was taken into account when its license renewal was considered, noting the following issues:
- In the past year, the Office has placed DRA on a conditional license two times.
- DRA has been on at least 2 corrective action plans since 2013.
- There have been 2 additional client deaths at DRA in prior years in addition to the most recent client death on December 20, 2022.
The Day Treatment and Outpatient denial letter said the same information as the other denial letter.
Diamond Ranch Academy’s current conditional license remains in effect until July 31 and will be allowed to operate until Aug. 14 to fully cooperate with conditions set for the closure of the facility and discharge of all clients.
“The facility must maintain required program staffing, program safety needs and ensure all licensee staff comply with applicable Utah Administrative Rule and statute with an emphasis on client health, safety and rights,” the letter states.
Diamond Ranch Academy may request an administrative hearing for an appeal process of the decision within 15 days.
Alan W. Mortensen, the attorney for the Taylor Goodridge Family, released the following statement by email to St. George News:
A medical malpractice review board in Utah has determined that the actions of Diamond Ranch Academy fell far short of the standard of care. The Utah State Department of Health and Human Services has also denied the renewal of Diamond Ranch Academy in part because at least three children have died at its facility. All of its clients must be gone from the facility by August 14, 2023.
The Taylor Goodridge family is finally finding validation that their daughter’s death was not accidental. They are pleased that both the Division of Professional Licensing and The Department of Health and Human Services is holding Diamond Ranch Academy responsible for its terrible decisions. The Diamond Ranch Academy has put itself where it now finds itself.
The civil lawsuit against Diamond Ranch Academy is still in the prelitigation stages.
This is a developing story.
Ed note: Information considered classified by the state of Utah has been redacted.
Updated July 14, 2023, 7 p.m.: Updated and redacted letters of denial from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services have been added and information updated.
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