Home / Crime and Justice / Paris Hilton Leads Charge Against Troubled Youth Center
Paris Hilton Leads Charge Against Troubled Youth Center
16 Jun
Summary
- State regulators placed Provo Canyon School under emergency monitoring.
- Paris Hilton advocates for stricter regulations on youth treatment centers.
- Two lawsuits allege violence and medical malpractice at the facility.
State regulators have placed Provo Canyon School under emergency monitoring for 30 days, prohibiting new admissions following recent allegations of violence and inadequate medical care. Paris Hilton, a vocal advocate for stricter oversight in the youth treatment industry, returned to Utah to support parents filing lawsuits against the facility.
One lawsuit alleges that staff allowed a student to inflict escalating violence on a 13-year-old boy, resulting in a broken jaw and brain bleed. Another lawsuit claims a student's illness was mishandled, leading to kidney failure and the need for dialysis. Hilton, who has previously testified in support of legislation to improve industry regulations, urged the state to revoke the school's license entirely.
State Senator Mike McKell noted that some Utah programs operate on a fee-for-service model. He emphasized that qualification, not just willingness to accept a child, should be the primary concern for providers. McKell is awaiting the findings of ongoing state and Disability Law Center reviews before deciding on further action regarding the facility's license.
