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ST. GEORGE — The embattled Red Rock Canyon School, a psychiatric inpatient treatment center for juveniles in St. George, will finally close its doors after a violent riot and allegations of abuse plagued the school for months.
“We are passionate about providing excellent programs that make permanent, positive changes in the lives of the people we serve. Over the last few months, in working with the Utah Department of Human Services, we have recognized that we have not consistently delivered on our mission,” the company that owns the school, Sequel Youth and Family Services, said in an emailed statement Wednesday.
In late April, an argument between two boys spiraled into a brawl that sent five people to the hospital and injured a total of 25, according to police and a SWAT team that responded to the scene.
The most serious injury was a large cut on the back of a student’s head that required staples to close, and five people were booked into juvenile detention for investigation of assault, criminal mischief and inciting a riot. A staff member at the school was also charged for allegedly punching a teen girl during the fight.
Soon after the brawl, state officials outlined nine violations committed by the school, including the school’s failure to report the riot until days later. Investigators said that the school must make 16 significant changes to keep its license.
Sequel Youth claims that the school has made 15 of those 16 changes and is on track to meet the last one. Over the next two months, however, the school will transfer its students to other behavioral health programs, then relinquish its license.
“Our license is not being revoked. We are taking this action proactively and voluntarily,” Sequel Youth’s statement reads. “We have consulted with Utah (Department of Human Services) about our plans, and they have been supportive of our decision to take these proactive measures to strengthen the program for the future.”
Two lawsuits were filed against the school in 2018, alleging that the school overlooked the sexual abuse of two students by a former employee who is now a registered sex offender. According to court filings, the school said it had no reason to believe the employee was a danger to the students while he was at the school.
The school currently employs about 120 full-time staff members, and as of late June had 97 students.
