Utah Shuts Down Provo Canyon School Campus After Abuse Claims

After years of survivors speaking out about abuse, Utah has finally pulled the license of Provo Canyon School's campus for girls and placed strict conditions on its boys' facility.

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday that the Springville campus must close by August 6. State investigators found the center delayed medical treatment for a teen who was knocked unconscious during a physical assault and repeatedly failed to protect children from violence.

The school can't accept new students at either campus and is banned from reapplying for a license for five years. Investigators also discovered staff members had unsupervised access to teens before completing background checks and used unnecessary restraints and aggressive physical contact.

Paris Hilton, who says she was abused at the school as a teenager, has spent years advocating for stronger regulations. She returned to Utah last month to support parents suing the facility.

"Today, the state confirmed what survivors have known all along: Provo Canyon School failed the children in its care," Hilton said in a statement. "The little girl in me who was told she would never be believed feels so validated today."

The state launched its investigation after receiving a complaint from the Disability Law Center in June. Investigators reviewed medical records, camera footage, and internal documents, and interviewed staff and current students.

They found the school withheld information during the investigation, failed to report critical incidents as required by law, and didn't ensure all clients were free from neglect and discrimination.

The Ripple Effect

This closure represents more than one school losing its license. It sends a powerful message that institutions can be held accountable when survivors refuse to stay silent.

Hilton's advocacy has already led to new Utah laws imposing stricter regulations on residential teen treatment centers. Her willingness to share her story publicly has encouraged other survivors to come forward and helped lawmakers understand the urgent need for reform.

The state will monitor the Springville campus until it closes and work with teen treatment systems in other states to ensure safe transitions for current students. Parents and guardians will determine the next steps for their children.

Shannon Thoman-Black, director of Utah's Division of Licensing and Background Checks, said her office followed proper legal procedures but had to act when additional complaints revealed multiple violations. "We don't go in with a hammer when a scalpel will do," she said. "Now there comes a time when we discovered multiple substantiated noncompliance."

The school's leadership says it disagrees with the decision and is considering an appeal, but for now, change is coming for the children still inside.

When people who were hurt as children find the courage to speak their truth, justice becomes possible.