A teenage girl died unexpectedly Tuesday at Diamond Ranch Academy, a southern Utah youth residential treatment center, state officials confirmed Wednesday evening.
Joe Dougherty, a spokesperson for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, confirmed the department’s Office of Licensing received notification of the girl’s death and are actively investigating in coordination with police officials.
“Our deepest condolences are with their loved ones as they grieve this sudden loss,” he said Wednesday evening. “We’re grateful for everyone who tried to save this youth’s life.”
Diamond Ranch Academy is a 108-bed teen treatment program in Hurricane that describes itself on its website as a “premiere youth residential treatment center with elite private boarding school opportunities.”
Hurricane police officials said in a statement that officers were called to the campus just before 5 p.m. Tuesday to a report that a 17-year-old girl had collapsed after reporting feeling sick, according to FOX 13.
Diamond Ranch Academy told St. George News in a statement: “We are saddened by the sudden passing of one of our amazing students. Our hearts go out to her family and friends and the staff who worked with her and loved her.”
She is the second girl to die in a Utah teen treatment program this year. Another teenager died in January at Maple Lake Academy, a teen treatment program in Spanish Fork, after regulators say she did not receive adequate medical care despite her worsening symptoms and her parents’ repeated requests that she be taken to a doctor. Licensing officials initially tried to revoke Maple Lake Academy’s license, but backed down in August.
Dougherty said Wednesday evening that licensing officials are still working to gather facts in the death at Diamond Ranch Academy.
“We are committed to a thorough investigation when it comes to this facility’s license,” he said.
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