News Flash!!!!
In the case of the State of Utah vs. Deb Cole and Jorge Rameriz regarding the death of Brendan Blum at Youth Care of Utah, part of the Aspen Education Group, the charges against the 2 workers were dismissed at the Preliminary Hearing, by the Honorable Judge Robert Adkins. His finding was although the 2 workers could be considered negligent, there was not enough evidence to prosecute them for criminal negligence. They were charged with Neglect or Abuse of a Disabled Child, a 3rd degree felony in Utah, punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Not enough evidence, even though Utah's own Licensing Department /Ken Stettler had found Youth Care in violation of emergency procedures, even though Brendan was violently ill, stumbling around and vomitting, even though the nurse was never called, even though the coroner ruled his death "Preventable", even though he was put in a den and left alone all night and not checked, and even though the staff told him to stop being dramatic and told the police they thought he was faking, there was not found to be enough evidence for a jury of their peers to decide. The judge just dismissed the charges. So much for justice.
The defense attorneys argued that no crime had been committed. The prosecutor urged the judge to let a jury decide. The victim's family was not allowed to make a statement. Neither of the defendants nor their attorneys ever stated they were sorry that Brendan was dead or acknowledged the victim's death. Assumably, they are free to work in other residential treatment facilities in Utah or elsewhere.
So, apparently, in Utah, it's PERFECTLY LEGAL to just let a kid die in the name of therapy.
