Diamond Ranch Academy Files for Dismissal in Civil Lawsuit Over Teen’s Death
Diamond Ranch Academy, a youth treatment facility in Hurricane, Utah, has filed for dismissal in the civil lawsuit against them regarding the death of 17-year-old Taylor Goodridge.[0] Taylor’s parents filed the lawsuit after their daughter died on December 20, 2022, from peritonitis, an infection of the abdomen tissue that led to sepsis, a life-threatening condition that arises from the body’s response to infection.[1] The autopsy report, released by the Utah Medical Examiner, found that Taylor’s organs failed due to the infection.
In their joint statement, Taylor’s parents expressed their devastation over their daughter’s preventable death, which they believe could have been avoided if Diamond Ranch Academy had cared for her.[2] They also expressed their disbelief that the State of Utah’s Department of Health and Human Services settled with Diamond Ranch Academy without any input from their family, allowing the facility to continue accepting students with naive parents, so that the owners can continue to earn profits from the misfortunes of its students and their families.[3]
The civil lawsuit was filed by Dean Goodridge, Taylor’s father, on December 30, 2022, ten days after Taylor’s death.[4] Diamond Ranch Academy has requested that the case be dismissed on procedural grounds, citing jurisdictional issues and noncompliance in following prelitigation procedure.[3] The case is currently pending, and a judge has not yet ruled on the dismissal request.[1]
Taylor’s parents have vowed to pursue all avenues to hold Diamond Ranch Academy accountable for her death and to prevent similar tragedies from happening to other innocent teens and their families.[2] The case has raised concerns about the safety and treatment of youth in treatment facilities, highlighting the need for greater accountability and oversight to ensure the well-being of vulnerable young people.
0. “Diamond Ranch Academy files for dismissal of civil case regarding teen's death” St George News, 19 Apr. 2023, https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2023/04/19/nky-diamond-ranch-academy-files-for-dismissal-of-civil-case-regarding-teens-death
1. “Teen vomited for days before dying of infection at Diamond Ranch Academy, state finds” NBC News, 21 Apr. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/taylor-goodridge-autopsy-diamond-ranch-academy-rcna80864
2. “Family attorney releases autopsy excerpt of 17-year-old's death at Diamond Ranch Academy” St George News, 22 Apr. 2023, https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2023/04/21/nky-family-attorney-releases-autopsy-results-excerpt-of-17-year-olds-death-at-diamond-ranch-academy
3. “Autopsy report shows teen was sick days before she died at Utah treatment center, attorney says” KSL.com, 22 Apr. 2023, https://www.ksl.com/article/50627088/autopsy-report-shows-teen-was-sick-days-before-she-died-at-utah-treatment-center-attorney-says
4. “Diamond Ranch Academy files for dismissal of civil case regarding teen's death” KSL.com, 20 Apr. 2023, https://www.ksl.com/article/50625263/diamond-ranch-academy-files-for-dismissal-of-civil-case-regarding-teens-death
