Seven deaths reported in Utah 'troubled teen' centers over past four years

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The 'troubled teen industry' in Utah—‘congregant care' centers where kids can be sent for months or years for treatment—may be in line for more state oversight after seven children reportedly died in the facilities in the past four years.

"My son's death was preventable and the fact that I am here means we are not doing enough,” said Katy Silvers, a mother who said she sent her 17-year-old adopted son to a Utah center, who died by suicide in the facility. She said “he was safer in a third world country” than at the Utah site.

Attorney Alan Mortensen, who represents two families with children who perished while in facilities, said teens in the congregant care centers are less safe than those in juvenile detention.

But others said the Utah treatment programs have been life savers.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a survivor,” said Justin Levine. “I’m a thriver.”

Levine said he was beset by anxiety as a teenager, “went to every clinic in Florida” to treat it, and nothing worked until his parents sent him to a congregant care center here.

“That program saved my life,” he said. “For each unfortunate victim, there are thousands and thousands of beneficiaries.”

Another man said his daughter—now a young woman—"refers to her center treatment team as her bonus family.”

He urged caution in imposing stronger state oversight.

It was thought that celebrity and hotel heiress Paris Hilton could testify on Friday in favor SB 297, the latest legislation to address the facilities.

Hilton said she was abused at a Utah center, where she was housed for months, more than two decades ago--and she testified in Utah in 2021 on another child welfare measure.

This time, Hilton sent a letter to lawmakers to support an "admissions committee" before kids are placed in the programs, and an ombudsman to whom they can report abuse.

Her letter is included in full at the end of the report.

"If these protections had been in place when I was a teenager," she wrote, "I and so many others could have been spared unimaginable suffering."

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LETTER from Paris Hilton to Utah Legislators

February 20, 2025

Paris Hilton Written Testimony

Attn: Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee

Re: Support of S.B.297

Dear Chair Weiler and Members of the Judiciary Committee,

The first time I ever testified was before the Utah Legislature in 2021. I was so nervous, but I knew I had to speak my truth. I shared my deeply personal and vulnerable story not just as Paris Hilton, but as a survivor one of the thousands of children who suffered abuse in Utah's residential treatment facilities as a child. Sharing my story was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but looking back, it was also one of the most healing. I didn't know what to expect, but I will never forget how the Utah legislature listened, how you cared, and how this body took action.

Because of your leadership, S.B.127 became law, marking the beginning of real reform. That moment proved that change is possible. But as we've learned over the past four years, our work is unfortunately far from over. Since that time, more children have suffered, more families have been devastated, and tragically, more young lives have been lost. The very concerns raised in 2021-that S.B.127 might not go far enough-have proven true. The truth is, we now have more information and transparency because of S.B 127, and with that knowledge comes responsibility. We must act swiftly and decisively to close the gaps that continue to put children in residential treatment facilities in grave danger.

That is why I am supporting S.B.297, a bill that builds on the foundation we laid in 2021 and strengthens protections for the most vulnerable. One of the most critical pieces of this legislation is the Congregate Care Admissions Committee, which will ensure that only programs that meet clear, evidence-based safety standards are allowed to operate in Utah. If these protections had been in place when I was a teenager, I and so many others could have been spared unimaginable suffering.

Another crucial measure is the Congregate Care Ombudsman. When I was at Provo Canyon School, I had no way to report my abuse, no one to protect me, and no voice. S.B.297 ensures that no child will be silenced or ignored the way I was.

Finally, by implementing minimum admissions criteria, this bill makes sure that children are placed only in facilities that are equipped to meet their specific needs-prioritizing real treatment and safety rather than exposing them to neglect, abuse, and death as in the cases of Biruk Silvers, Taylor Goodridge and too many others to name.

I am so grateful to continue this fight, alongside this dedicated Committee. Passing S.B.297 is a chance to save lives, protect families, and ensure that no child ever experiences the trauma I endured. We cannot afford to wait.

Thank you for your time, your leadership, and your commitment to keeping children safe,

Paris Hilton

Survivor and Advocate

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