Key facts
- Utah revoked the license for the Provo Canyon School's Springville campus.
- The state cited failures in health and safety services, including inadequate staff-to-client ratios and neglect.
- Paris Hilton, who attended the school in the late 1990s, alleged abuse and supported the state's action.
- The school must terminate all services by August 6.
- The school is under new ownership and declined to comment on past allegations.
The state of Utah has revoked the license for the Provo Canyon School's campus in Springville, citing numerous health and safety violations. The action, effective Monday, comes after years of allegations of abuse and neglect at the facility, including those made by socialite Paris Hilton.
According to the state's findings, the school failed to meet critical health and safety standards, including maintaining appropriate staff-to-client ratios, properly verifying employee information, and ensuring timely background checks for applicants. Officials also noted instances of unnecessary restraint, aggressive physical contact, and neglect of a student with serious injuries.
Paris Hilton, who spent nearly a year at the school in the late 1990s and has publicly detailed alleged abuse, including physical beatings and solitary confinement, stated that the state's decision confirms survivors' accounts. She has been a vocal advocate for reform in the troubled teen industry.
The school has 15 days to request a hearing and must cease all services by August 6. Provo Canyon School is reportedly under new ownership, and the administration has stated it cannot comment on incidents that occurred prior to the change in management.