Teen's Death at Utah Boarding School was Preventable, Autopsy Shows

The tragic death of Taylor Goodridge, a 17-year-old girl who died at a “therapeutic boarding school” in Utah last December, has shed light on the disturbing practices of the Diamond Ranch Academy. According to an autopsy conducted by the state, Taylor died from sepsis caused by a treatable abdominal infection. Her parents claim that their daughter's death was preventable and that she would be alive today if she received the medical care she begged for.

The parents have filed a federal lawsuit against Diamond Ranch Academy, citing false imprisonment, premises liability, innkeeper liability, child abuse, negligence/knowing and reckless indifference, and breach of fiduciary duty. They allege that their daughter was told to “suck it up” by staff at the academy when she complained of severe abdominal pain.

Taylor collapsed in her vomit after experiencing extreme pain for days, and despite begging the staff for help, she was allegedly forced to shower and go to breakfast instead of receiving emergency medical attention. The day she died, her father was told that she had suffered a heart attack and was taken to the hospital, only to be informed later that she had perished at the hospital from a heart attack.

Diamond Ranch Academy has filed a motion to dismiss the case, claiming that the lawsuit lacks subject matter jurisdiction and that multiple alleged counts failed to state a claim. The academy argues that the lawsuit improperly commenced before the plaintiffs filed claims under the Utah Health Care Malpractice Act. However, the plaintiffs responded that the lawsuit is not so much a medical malpractice case as it is a case of failure to render appropriate care and treatment.

The Utah Department of Health & Human Services records show that Diamond Ranch Academy currently has a conditional license, meaning that the provider is at risk of losing their license because compliance with licensing rules has not been maintained. The provider was out of compliance with this rule by failing to provide necessary medical care for an ill client who died several weeks after the initial onset of symptoms.

Taylor Goodridge’s untimely death was a direct result of Diamond Ranch Academy’s refusal to provide health care when it was requested. This tragic incident serves as a reminder that parents and guardians must be vigilant in choosing boarding schools and therapeutic programs for their children, ensuring that they are in a safe and nurturing environment. It is unacceptable that a young life was lost due to the negligence and indifference of those responsible for her care.