Utah Boarding School Accused by Paris Hilton Loses Operating Licence
Diamond Ranch Academy, a residential boarding school in Hurricane, Utah, has had its licence revoked following allegations of neglect and the use of unnecessary restraints on its students. The decision follows a regulatory review and public scrutiny, including testimony from former student Paris Hilton, who described her experiences at the facility as abusive.
Ms Hilton, who attended the school as a teenager, has been a vocal critic of the so-called 'troubled teen' industry, advocating for greater oversight and accountability. She asserted that Diamond Ranch Academy “failed the children” in its care, drawing attention to practices she deemed detrimental to student welfare.
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services cited several violations in its decision to revoke the school's licence. These included documented cases of neglect and the application of physical restraints without proper justification or in situations where less restrictive interventions would have been appropriate. Such findings corroborate longstanding concerns raised by former students and child advocacy groups regarding the treatment of children in these types of institutions.
The revocation means Diamond Ranch Academy can no longer operate as a licensed residential treatment facility for adolescents in Utah. The state's action signals a more stringent approach to regulating an industry that has frequently faced accusations of mistreatment, particularly concerning the methods used to manage and discipline young people.
