Utah revokes license for Provo Canyon School
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Provo Canyon School in Provo. Screenshot: Google Maps
Utah officials revoked the license of Provo Canyon School's Springville Campus on Monday.
The big picture: The behavioral treatment center has faced abuse allegations for decades, including from hotel heiress and media mogul Paris Hilton, who stayed there when she was 17.
The latest: Provo Canyon School, operated by Universal Health Services, was sanctioned by the state health department in May for delaying medical care to a teen patient.
- The license was revoked "because of the Provider's failure to provide applicable health and safety services for clients," according to a notice issued Monday by the department.
State of play: The revocation comes less than a month after Hilton appeared in Provo to support two families suing the treatment center after their children faced delays in receiving medical care.
- Hilton urged state officials to shut down the facility. She was joined by majority assistant whip Mike McKell, who's authored legislation tightening regulations for teen treatment centers in the state.
What they're saying: "For more than fifty years, children came forward with stories of abuse, neglect, and trauma. Today, the state confirmed what survivors have known all along: Provo Canyon School failed the children in its care," Hilton said in a statement.
- "I was one of those children. I know what it feels like to cry for help and believe no one is coming. Today, children still inside that facility know someone is finally coming to protect them."
The other side: "We disagree with the state's decision to revoke Provo Canyon School's Springville Campus license and are evaluating all available legal and administrative options, including an appeal," Provo Canyon School CEO Tim Marshall said in a statement to Axios.
What's next: The treatment center has 15 days to appeal.
- Barring a successful appeal, the facility must stop providing services and halt new enrollments by Aug. 6.