Program Staff Information

This is a staff list for Red Rock Canyon School in St. George, UT

(a.k.a. The Heritage Schools)

(we are working to acquire the complete records for ALL years)

(THIS PROGRAM IS REPORTEDLY CLOSED AS OF SUMMER, 2019)

We advise current and/or former staff to report any abuses you may have witnessed while working at Red Rock Canyon School. For information on your rights and how to take action, visit www.heal-online.org/blowthewhistle.htm. If you were fired or forced to resign because you opposed any illegal and/or unethical practices at Red Rock Canyon School, you have the right to take action.

If you were harmed (family or survivor) by Red Rock Canyon School, please contact [email protected] if you remember the long-term employees and from which years. This will help! Also, if you recognize any of these staff as having worked at another program, please send in any information about their past or present employment at other facilities and/or cults.

Please don’t place your loved one in Red Rock Canyon School and rescue them if they are there now.

Name	Unit/Position	Additional Information
Brian Pace	Executive Director	Brian was involved in the program start up of Red Rock Canyon School in 1999 and has come on full time since 2004 as Executive Director. Brian has been very involved in programs in Southern Utah mostly in program development and consulting. He assisted start of a sex offender program where he directed and developed the program. He started and owned Sunrise Academy and served as the Ex. Director.
Shaun Habibian	Marketing	Habibian has been with Red Rock since 2003. HEAL has received a report that Shaun Habibian still works for Red Rock Canyon School. This was submitted via an anonymous e-mail on June 22nd, 2011. HEAL had previously posted that Habibian no longer worked for Red Rock. We are working on verifying the new information.
Larry Pilkey	HR Director	Formerly a US marine.
Amber Austin	Admissions
Mariah Pogue	Admissions
Adam Moore	Acting Clinical Director
Bobbie Jensen	Marketing	(female) Jensen no longer appears to work for this program.
Jessica Hedgepeth	Admin Asst.	Hedgepeth no longer appears to work for this program.
Pam Patrick	Case Mgr	Patrick no longer appears to work for this program.
Roshi Ghane	Case Mgr	Ghane has been with Red Rock since 2002.
Clint Beck	Case Mgr.
Tami McLoughan	Parent Liaison
Hannah Fey	Nursing Director	Fey no longer appears to work for this program.
Scott Cecil	Therapist	Cecil has worked at Red Rock for 5 years. (2010) Cecil no longer appears to work for this program.
Robert Gemmill	Team Therapist	Formerly worked at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
John D. Owens	Team Therapist
Nancy Jenkins	Team Therapist
Lynn Dangerfield	Intake Therapist	30 Years in several settings: Schools, outpatient, private and Medicaid agencies, O & A with Utah Dept. of Juvenile Corrections, RTC's in U.S. Mexico & Jamaica.
Lane Sheperd	Team Therapist	"3yrs. inpatient working with adolescent Native American clients & helping them respect their culture." From Red Rock's website on February 9th, 2010. HEAL Note: "Helping them respect their culture" is a racist and arrogant thing to say about American Indians.
Donald E. Goff	Therapist	Credentials are as a graduate of Union Institute and University. This is an online degree program that has been written up by Rev. Sedgwick of Racine, WI. See: http://www.ripoffreport.com/Colleges-and-Universities/Union-Institute-And/union-institute-and-university-e334c.htm This certainly isn't the type of education one would expect to make someone qualified to work with "troubled" children.
Larry Bradley	Steel Therapist
Takavar Ghane	Copper Therapist	Graduate of University of Phoenix, another notoriously fraudulent "online" university.
Edgar Collins	Psychiatrist
Lacey Timothy	Office Manager
Parker Ward	Nurse
Adam Wilson	Paremedic
Tasha Pace	Nurse
Nicole Braun	Nurse	Reportedly one of the only two good/nice people at Red Rock Canyon School. HEAL is reluctant to post compliments about staff due to the fact that staff that genuinely care about children at these programs are often fired for standing up for the children when they witness abuse or violations. We do post positive messages when received anyway.
Angela Aguado	Nurse	Reportedly unkind and verbally abusive with children in the program. This was reported by a survivor on May 26th, 2011 via e-mail.
Catherine Beatty	Secretary
Barry Moore	Transition Director	Moore has been with Red Rock since 2005. Moore reportedly worked for Triumph Youth Services in LaVerkin, UT as a supervisor and in St. George before coming to Red Rock. Moore also reportedly worked for Proctor Home Kids. (Source: E-mail sent to HEAL)
Joel Beckstrand	Principal	Degrees from Southern Utah University and University of Phoenix, a fraudulent "online" university.
Karen Heins	Registrar
Brian Bagley	Beehive Unit
Michelle Wong	Special Ed Teacher
Bill Mehn	Anthropologist
Brent Nyberg	Residential Mgr.	Brent is reportedly very manipulative and psychologically abusive. This was reported via e-mail on May 26th, 2011 by a recent survivor of Red Rock.
Glenda Kimble	Coral Unit
Mahauni Fuller	Brick Unit
Bo Hunt	Steel Unit	Hunt reportedly no longer works for this program. This was reported via anonymous e-mail on June 22nd, 2011.
Cedric Colby	Recreation
Vincent Tauanu'u	Phys Ed	Vincent reportedly made fun of a youth in the program for being disabled. This is a serious concern. This was reported in an e-mail from a survivor on May 26th, 2011.
Nanci Siani	Art
Darlene Blackburn	Girls' Resource Room
Michelle Wong	Boys' Resource Room
Rubin Togisala	Residential Director	Togisala reportedly no longer works for this program.
Melvin Lowe	Weekend Spvr.	Melvin reportedly watches the young girls in the program in an inappropriate manner that makes them uncomfortable. This was reported by a survivor on May 26th, 2011 via e-mail.
Brooke Ranger	Weekend Spvr.
Brian King	Copper Team Leader
Mike Johnson	Blue Team Leader
Alan Shalby	Green Team Leader	Reportedly one of the only two good/nice people at Red Rock Canyon School. HEAL is reluctant to post compliments about staff due to the fact that staff that genuinely care about children at these programs are often fired for standing up for the children when they witness abuse or violations. We do post positive messages when received anyway.
Ricky Tuumalo	Brick Team Leader
Merri Ciserella	Beehive Team Leader
Oscar Fakahua	Coral Team Leader	Fakahua has reportedly started his own "service" called EvaZing Family Resources. Lupetea Fakahua also works with Oscar at EvaZing Family Resources. Oscar is also related to Nale and Pou Fakahua employed by Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center. Oscar reportedly runs the "re-investment" or investment unit at Red Rock. An anonymous report claims that there is no one person who runs the "re-investment" unit and that the unit is used as a "time out" room. "Time Out" rooms take on a variety of meanings in programs like Red Rock and often refer to isolation/solitary confinement. Investment is a term used by Provo Canyon School to describe severe punishment. The co-founder of Provo Canyon School, Jack Williams, is also the founder of Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center. These are all serious concerns.
Kasey Nelson	Green Team Leader	Nelson no longer works at this facility. Shalby above has taken on Green Team Leader position and the Steel Unit reportedly no longer exists.
Tasha Castillo	Green Team Leader	Castillo no longer appears to work for this program.
Justin Abbott	Asst. Residential Dir.	He is "enrolled now in ARL (Alternative Routes for Licensing) through the State of Utah." (February 9th, 2010--according to Red Rock's website). Abbott reportedly no longer works for this program.
Gina (no last name)	Staff	Reported by survivor on May 26th, 2011.
Carol Williams	Therapist
Dr. Shannon	Therapist	Reported by survivor on May 26th, 2011. Shannon reportedly banned communication between child and family to cover up problems with the program. This is a serious concern and shows a pattern of unethical behavior at Red Rock Canyon School.
Robert Gimmel	Therapist	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Chantelle (no last name)	Staff	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Roxanne "Rocky" (No last name)	Staff	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Heather McKay	Staff	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Nick (no last name)	Staff	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Amanda Showerhammer	Staff	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Allen (no last name)	Music Producer	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Veda (no last name)	Night Staff	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Carol (no last name)	Night Staff	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Brent (no last name)	Staff	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Rinda (no last name)	Staff	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Vicky Adams	Staff	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Tamila Ghame	TA	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Sharon (no last name)	Staff	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Jill (no last name)	Staff	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Sherman Habibian	Staff	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Frank Habibian	Staff	Reported by survivor on May 29th, 2011.
Tupou "Pou" Fakahua	Staff	Formerly worked for Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center.
Scott Langford	Staff

OTHER	OTHER	This program is endorsed by the Department of Homeland Security. Why is the Department of Homeland Security accrediting treatment programs? Please see www.domesticpredators.com.
OTHER	OTHER	Associated with: Falcon Ridge Ranch in Virgin, UT Centers for Adolescent Recovery and Education (C.A.R.E.)
Red Rock Canyon Lawsuit: Allegations include rape (by other "clients"), fraud, deceit, and negligence. (2001)
This program is open about using "positive peer culture" which is also known as "confrontational therapy" and this has been found to be ineffective and harmful.
St. George man accused of sexual abuse of three teens Posted on: 5:48 pm, August 3, 2012, by Brittany Green-Miner ST. GEORGE, Utah – A staffer at a St. George school for troubled youth is behind bars for allegedly sexually abusing three male students. 27-year-old Diarra Niccole Fields was charged Friday with first-degree felony sodomy on a child, first-degree felony forcible sodomy, first-degree felony aggravated sexual abuse of a child and two counts of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse. According to a probable cause statement, a 16-year-old boy who was attending Red Rock Canyon School told his mother that he was involved in an inappropriate relationship with Fields. During an interview with police, the boy said he knew of another 16-year-old boy involved with Fields. That second 16-year-old boy confirmed the inappropriate behavior and told police about a third boy, this time 13 years old, who had a similar experience. The 13-year-old boy confirmed those claims. Fields denied the boys’ allegations and told police he was never left alone with the boys and had never had inappropriate contact with them. Source: http://fox13now.com/2012/08/03/st-george-man-accused-of-sexual-abuse-of-three-teens/
Ex-Youth Worker Pleads Guilty to Sex Abuse March 18th, 2014 ST. GEORGE, Utah — A 29-year-old man accused of sexually abusing boys at a southern Utah center for troubled teens has pleaded guilty to reduced charges. The Spectrum reports (http://bit.ly/1eOu06X ) Diarra Fields pleaded guilty to three counts of forcible sex abuse on Monday. The plea agreement reduces the severity of the felony charges and cancels a trial scheduled for this week. Police say a 16-year-old boy had reported to his mother that he had engaged in inappropriate touching with and Fields, who worked at the Red Rock Canyon School. Detectives say the boy reported there were other victims, and a 16-year-old and a 13-year-old later said they had been involved with Fields. Police say Fields denied the allegations, but apparently lied about a key piece of information used to identify him as the perpetrator. Source: http://www.therepublic.com/w/UT--Sex-Abuse-Troubled-Teens
Red Rock Canyon School (2008-2013)--Complaints called into police include reports of sexual offenses, rape, pornography, child abuse, and assault. For the full report, click here.
St. George man accused of sexual abuse of three teens Posted on: 5:48 pm, August 3, 2012, by Brittany Green-Miner ST. GEORGE, Utah – A staffer at a St. George school for troubled youth is behind bars for allegedly sexually abusing three male students. 27-year-old Diarra Niccole Fields was charged Friday with first-degree felony sodomy on a child, first-degree felony forcible sodomy, first-degree felony aggravated sexual abuse of a child and two counts of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse. According to a probable cause statement, a 16-year-old boy who was attending Red Rock Canyon School told his mother that he was involved in an inappropriate relationship with Fields. During an interview with police, the boy said he knew of another 16-year-old boy involved with Fields. That second 16-year-old boy confirmed the inappropriate behavior and told police about a third boy, this time 13 years old, who had a similar experience. The 13-year-old boy confirmed those claims. Fields denied the boys’ allegations and told police he was never left alone with the boys and had never had inappropriate contact with them. Source: http://fox13now.com/2012/08/03/st-george-man-accused-of-sexual-abuse-of-three-teens/
Youth center employee sentenced in sex abuse case Kevin Jenkins, STG 9:49 p.m. MDT June 5, 2014 Fields CONNECTTWEET LINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE ST. GEORGE – A former employee at a St. George residential treatment center for troubled youths was sentenced Thursday in 5th District Court under a plea deal that will allow him to avoid prison time. Diarra Niccole Fields, 29, will complete a 210-day jail sentence followed by 36 months of probation on charges he inappropriately touched teens at Red Rock Canyon School, where he worked. “It could have been a lot worse for him. … As these cases go, it was a fairly benign sentencing,” defense attorney Ron Yengich said. “It was kind of an unusual case given that the (three) kids were willing to testify.” Deputy County Attorney Ryan Shaum characterized the boys as reluctant potential witnesses, however. “The young men … I’ve been in contact with want to move on,” Shaum said. “The victims in this case had a hard time considering themselves victims because they felt they had entered into this consensually. I had to explain to them that, no, legally it’s not OK.” Although Fields was charged with counts of forcible sexual abuse, Shaum said the law characterizes it as “forcible” because Fields was in a position of trust over the youths, and not because the behavior appeared to have been physically “forced” in any way. Shaum said Fields was not an instructor at the facility but served on staff in a supervisory role as, “for lack of a better word, a babysitter.” Yengich and Shaum told Judge John Walton they agreed with a presentence investigation’s recommendations that Fields be allowed a chance at probation as someone with a low risk to re-offend, although Yengich argued unsuccessfully against any jail time. Yengich said Fields will be listed on the sex offender registry for at least 10 years as a matter of course and must undergo psychological testing specific to sex crimes. Walton said a court-ordered fine of $1,140 could be applied toward the testing and any subsequent treatment, which Fields must otherwise pay for. The court also imposed restrictions against any access by Fields to minors without the permission of his probation agent, allowing for familial relationships as approved. “Our biggest concern … is certainly protection to the community,” Shaum said. Fields reached a plea deal with the prosecution in March that helped spare him from a minimum 10 or 15-year sentence with a possible maximum of up to life in prison. According to the probable cause statement for the case filed in 5th District Court, a 16-year-old male student at the school told his mother that he had an inappropriate relationship with Fields and had engaged in inappropriate touching with Fields on several occasions. According to court documents, the student admitted in an interview with officers that he was aware that a similar instance happened to another 16-year-old student at the school. As the investigation continued, the second male mentioned that a 13-year-old male also may have been involved with Fields. According to the documents, the 13-year-old was reluctant to admit anything had occurred between him and Fields but finally disclosed that he also had engaged in inappropriate touching. “They’ve got their own (addiction) issues making their lives complicated. … The young men who are in this program are there for a reason,” Shaum said. “(Fields’ behavior) complicated the whole situation.” Shaum said he is seeing more instances of sexual awareness and exploration among youths than was common when he was younger. “(Yengich and I) talked about that before sentencing out in the hallway, just how crazy it is that young men and women today … are more aware and active, from a sexual standpoint, than they were in our generation and doing things we never thought of,” he said. “Because it’s exploited on the Internet, I suppose, people are discovering it and exploring it. … There’s a generation of kids out there who is learning things and doing things at a much younger age.” Yengich said Fields will begin his jail term Monday. Follow Kevin Jenkins on Twitter, @SpectrumJenkins. Source: http://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/local/2014/06/05/youth-center-employee-sentenced-sex-abuse-case/10049963/
Red Rock Canyon School By Medill Watchdog on December 9, 2014 Facility Overview: Red Rock Canyon School, in St. George, Utah, is a 128-bed residential treatment center operated by a not-for-profit corporation for boys and girls ages 12-18. Key Findings: A staff member at Red Rock Canyon School pleaded guilty in March 2014 to three counts of forcible sex abuse charges involving one boy, 13, and two who were 16. State reports cite the facility for failing to properly report the incident. The probable cause statement of the St. George Police Department states the youth reported to his mother, during a visit, that he was engaged in an inappropriate relationship with the staff member. Following the staff member’s arrest, a state licensing investigation found that Red Rock Canyon had violated several rules in addition to not reporting sexual abuse. The state wrote that Red Rock Canyon staff had not properly supervised the youth, allowing the alleged sexual abuse to occur. Records Obstacles: The police agency in St. George never responded to an April request for records of incidents to the facility. In October, department officials did not respond to renewed questions about the records request. Facility Response: Officials from the facility failed to return telephone calls or email from Medill Watchdog. Source: http://medillwatchdog.org/blog/2014/12/09/red-rock-canyon-school/
Youth treatment center staffer charged in drug case Kevin Jenkins, [email protected] 7:02 p.m. MST December 22, 2015 Jerold Oloti Sua(Photo: Washington County Sheriff's Office) 189 CONNECTTWEET LINKEDIN 1 COMMENTEMAILMORE A former Red Rock Canyon School staff member made his initial appearance Tuesday in 5th District Court on charges he provided marijuana to a teen at the treatment facility for troubled youths. Jerold Oloti Sua, 37, faces felony charges of causing or permitting a child to be exposed to a controlled substance and distributing or offering a controlled substance, and a misdemeanor count of drug paraphernalia use stemming from his arrest last week. He posted an $11,360 bail bond and appeared Tuesday free from custody. Sua, also written Su’a, is accused of providing marijuana to a boy at the school Dec. 14. The school reported to police that the boy had been found with marijuana. The responding officer stated the boy identified Sua as the person who provided him with the drug. “I also learned that Jerold had assisted the juvenile in smoking the marijuana at the school,” the report the officer filed with the court states. “(Jerold) admitted that he had smoked marijuana while at work.” Red Rock bills itself as a psychiatric residential treatment center for teens 12 to 18 years old who require “structure and treatment beyond that available in traditional outpatient clinics.” The Spectrum & Daily News contacted Red Rock Canyon for comment late Tuesday afternoon but received no response from administrators. Sua told Judge Eric Ludlow he wouldn’t be able to afford a defense attorney and noted, “I recently lost my job.” Ludlow appointed Doug and Trevor Terry to represent Sua at his next hearing, scheduled for Jan. 25. Follow Kevin Jenkins, @SpectrumJenkins. Call him at 435-674-6253. Source: http://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/2015/12/22/youth-treatment-center-staffer-charged-drug-case/77773698/
Sex abuse victim sues Red Rock Canyon School for allegedly failing to protect students from sexual predator 0 0 By Aubrey Wieber · 6 hours ago A victim of sexual assault at the hands of a staffer at a St. George school for troubled youth has sued the school in civil court, alleging it failed to protect him from the abuse. The lawsuit was filed against Red Rock Canyon School — a psychiatric residential treatment center for adolescents — and its subsidiaries Thursday. It seeks damages to be determined at trial. The lawsuit alleges an employee at the school, Diarra Fields, was 27 years old in the summer of 2012 when he engaged in sexual activity with a 16-year-old boy on school property multiple times. The lawsuit alleges Fields also molested two other students at the school. Fields, now 33, was charged criminally for the sexual abuse in 2012 and pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree felony forcible sexual abuse in 2014, shortly before he was set to go to trial. He was sentenced to 210 days in jail with credit for time served and placed on probation. His probation ended March 28, according to court documents. The civil suit is the second such lawsuit filed by the victim against Fields and Red Rock. A similar lawsuit was filed in 2015, but in December 2016, Red Rock filed a motion to dismiss the case, claiming the plaintiff had not complied with prelitigation procedures outlined in the Utah Health Care Malpractice Act. About two weeks later, both parties stipulated to a dismissal without prejudice, which was approved. Matthew Feller, the plaintiff’s attorney in the most recent litigation, said there has not yet been any discussion with the school regarding settlement. Red Rock Canyon officials did not return a request for comment. The lawsuit filed Thursday claims school policy dictated that staff could not be alone with students; however, employees were aware that Fields was spending time alone with students, including the plaintiff. Feller said while the individual acts of Fields and others like him are unspeakable, he finds it is more appropriate to go after the institution in situations like this. “Our target in all of these cases is why did it happen,” Feller said. “We see that if a school gives an individual the time, space and opportunity to do these things, it’s going to happen.” Feller said when a school employee molests a student, the school either failed to enforce policies put in place or failed to institute the proper policies. Either way, the situations are avoidable with proper supervision, he said. “When that happens, it just becomes a breeding ground for these kinds of events,” he said. Source: https://www.sltrib.com/news/2018/01/23/sex-abuse-victim-sues-red-rock-canyon-school-for-allegedly-failing-to-protect-students-from-sexual-predator/
Second victim says a Utah school’s employee sexually abused him 0 Diarra Niccole Fields. Courtesy image 0 By Aubrey Wieber · Published: 1 day ago Updated: 1 day ago A former Utah man says an employee at a St. George school for troubled youths, who is now a registered sex offender, sexually abused him when he was 13 years old. It is the second lawsuit filed this year to say former Red Rock Canyon School employee Diarra Fields sexually abused a student while working at the school. The allegation is made in a lawsuit filed in 5th District Court on Wednesday. The lawsuit lists as defendants Fields, Red Rock Canyon and the school’s subsidiaries. Red Rock Canyon School is a psychiatric residential treatment center for adolescents. The lawsuit seeks an amount of money to be decided by a jury, but it says damages are “well in excess” of $300,000. According to the lawsuit, the victim was 13 when he enrolled in the school in November 2011. Fields was 27 at the time. The lawsuit says the victim was sexually abused 15 times by another student, who threatened him in order to receive sexual favors. “This isn’t just staff on student molestations,” said attorney Matthew Feller, who is representing the victims in both lawsuits. “There are also allegations of student on student molestations. That’s a problem.” The victim in the most recent lawsuit, now an adult, lives in California. The Salt Lake Tribune generally does not name victims of sexual assault. The lawsuit also says Fields abused the boy when the two were alone. School policy states that staff members are not allowed to be alone with students, according to the lawsuit. The school was negligent in protecting students from Fields, the lawsuit says, and staffers knew or should have known he was spending time alone with students. It also says Fields abused at least three students. Feller said he isn’t aware Fields’ abuse being reported and then ignored by the school, but said they should have been aware of him spending time alone with students. Feller also said he has not been in contact with any other victims. A voicemail seeking comment from the school was not immediately returned Thursday night. According to the state sex offender registry, Fields is noncompliant and there is no known address for him. A lawsuit filed in January by a separate male victim says Fields abused him in summer 2012, when the boy was 16. Fields, now 33, was charged with sexual abuse in 2012. He pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree-felony forcible sexual abuse in 2014, shortly before he was set to go to trial. He was sentenced to 210 days in jail with credit for time served and was placed on probation. His probation ended in March 2017, according to court documents. He also pleaded no contest to two counts of misdemeanor domestic violence in the presence of a child in 2015. Feller said in these cases he focuses on the institutions rather than the individual abusers, because they are providing an environment where inappropriate behavior can flourish. “You’re always going to have these guys out there, “ Feller said. “These facilities I think need to do a little more.” Source: https://www.sltrib.com/news/2018/03/09/second-victim-says-a-utah-schools-employee-sexually-abused-him/
Altercation at St. George treatment facility yields 5 arrests, multiple injuries Christian Martinez, St. George Spectrum & Daily News Published 2:37 p.m. MT April 29, 2019 CLOSE A large-scale fight at a residential treatment facility for adolescents in St. George resulted in multiple injuries and the detention of five people, police officials said. The altercation was reported around 8:20 p.m. Sunday at Red Rock Canyon School located at 747 E. St. George Blvd. According to Officer Tiffany Atkin of the St. George Police Department, the incident began when two residents of the facility became involved in an argument which eventually escalated into a physical altercation involving around 25 people. St. George police responded to the scene along with a SWAT team and personnel from the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Washington City Police Department and Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety. Following the altercation, five residents were transported to a local hospital with at least one patient requiring staples after suffering an injury to the head, Atkin said. The ages and genders of the injured residents were not available as of Monday afternoon. Red Rock Canyon School officials declined to comment on the incident. Officials said five people were sent to a detention facility on suspicion of assault, criminal mischief and inciting a riot. Atkin said the charges were "probably severe" but did not know if they were felonies or misdemeanors. According to Atkin, the five individuals transported to the detention facility were all juveniles. According to its website, Red Rock Canyon School is a "psychiatric residential treatment center" for adolescents aged 12 to 18. By Merrill Edge A good way to start investing See more → Atkin said that the police department had responded to Red Rock Canyon School on previous occasions. “We have been called there before on different incidents but not to this degree," Atkin said. According to Atkin, the 97 residents of the facility are unable to leave on their own accord. "It is a secured facility," Atkin said. "The residents are not free to come and go." Atkin said she did not know details regarding the facility's security staffing. Source: https://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/2019/04/29/fight-arrests-injuries-reported-st-george-treatment-facility/3618263002/
Officials: Oregon foster child was assaulted at Utah program Today 6:30 AM The Department of Human Services in Salem, Oregon. Beth Nakamura/Staff By Hillary Borrud \| The Oregonian/OregonLive SALEM — An Oregon foster child was among more than 20 teenagers injured during a riot last week at the Red Rock Canyon School in St. George, Utah. But that wasn’t the first problem experienced by Oregon children at the facility. Another Oregon foster child sent to Red Rock was physically assaulted by program staff, a state child welfare official and state senator said on Tuesday. “It was two separate days, with two separate staff that assaulted him,” Sen. Sara Gelser said of the Oregon teen who was hurt by Red Rock staff in separate incidents. Sara Fox, manager of the state’s child welfare’s treatment program, told lawmakers in a hearing Tuesday that the psychiatric residential treatment center operated by the for-profit company Sequel Youth and Family Services immediately fired the two employees who used “improper restraint” on the teen. Police in Utah are now investigating the incidents, Fox said. The Oregon child was treated by a nurse and “had a red mark on his back and a small bruise on his chin” as a result of the incidents, Fox said. Teens riot at Utah facility that houses 24 Oregon foster children Oregon is sending a team of workers to check on foster children at a treatment program in Utah, after more than 20 teenagers — including one Oregon foster child — were reportedly injured during a riot there on Sunday night. Twenty-four Oregon foster children live at Red Rock Canyon School in St. George, Utah, according to the state. Fox and Gelser described the incidents during an update by child welfare officials to lawmakers regarding on the safety of Oregon foster children placed in out-of-state care and treatment programs. Gelser and other lawmakers have raised concerns since OPB reported that the state’s child welfare program has increasingly relied on out-of-state programs to care for foster children. At the end of last month, roughly 80 Oregon foster children were in such programs across the nation, according to the state. The riot at Red Rock Canyon School occurred just as a nine-person state team was preparing to visit facilities in Utah last week, including three other Sequel Youth and Family Services programs, Fox told lawmakers on Tuesday. The team decided to spend a couple days longer at Red Rock to make sure the facility had a plan to prevent future problems and help children traumatized by the riot. Local law enforcement sent a SWAT team to the facility during the riot, incorrectly believing an active shooter was involved, Fox said. The Oregon team interviewed nearly all of the 25 Oregon children at Red Rock and “didn’t have concerns around their safety at the time we visited last week,” Fox said. State employees will return to the facility this week and next week to make sure Sequel is implementing an improvement plan. And, a couple of children are being moved to other programs. Gelser told state child welfare officials she hopes Oregon can stop sending foster children to out-of-state programs and instead spend money investing in caring for them closer to home. Fox and Lilia Teninty, director of the state Office of Developmental Disability Services, said they share that goal but the state continues to struggle with a shortage of treatment programs for children with behavioral challenges and homes for children with disabilities. Gelser said state lawmakers have a responsibility to approve more money for in-state programs. “I just don’t know how we get there if we don’t get to the funding piece,” Gelser said. “Investing in people is important.” She also thanked Fox, Teninty and a children’s facility licensing official for their repeated appearances to answer lawmakers’ questions. “Please know your hard work is seen,” Gelser said, “and I appreciate your willingness to keep coming back and answer these hard questions.” — Hillary Borrud \| [email protected] Source: https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2019/05/officials-oregon-foster-child-was-assaulted-at-utah-program.html
External Link: https://www.sltrib.com/news/2019/05/17/violence-sex-abuse/
Violence, often instigated by staff, has become common at Red Rock Canyon School in St. George for troubled children External Link: https://www.sltrib.com/news/2019/06/23/violence-often-instigated/
"After riot and state investigation, Red Rock Canyon School to close doors" https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2019/07/10/apc-after-riot-and-state-investigation-red-rock-canyon-school-to-close-doors/#.XSaK4elYa1s
Foster boy sues Oregon officials who sent him to Red Rock Canyon School in St. George - The Salt Lake Tribune. Foster boy sues Oregon officials who sent him to Red Rock Canyon School in St. George -- https://www.sltrib.com/news/2019/11/21/an-oregon-foster-boy/

*(Red Rock Canyon School, like many other programs in this industry, keeps a "tight lid" on any specific information regarding their staff, qualifications, and practices. Please contact us with the names of any staff of which you have firsthand knowledge or experience. Thank you for your help.)

Last Updated: November 3rd, 2020

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St. George man accused of sexual abuse of three teens