Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => The Troubled Teen Industry => Topic started by: Anonymous on November 16, 2003, 04:29:00 PM
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What do we know about the Sorensens?
From:
http://www.teenprogram.info/schools/view/7 (http://www.teenprogram.info/schools/view/7)
For help in finding the right school or program, give us a call at http://flcs.org/ (http://flcs.org/) Here, you can read the newsletter, names and email addresses of the staff (Wow! George Heightman [Huisman is like 6'6"] is STILL the coach?!), the actual location where students attend.
From: http://www.utahbarjournal.com/html/november_2002_6.html (http://www.utahbarjournal.com/html/november_2002_6.html)
Sorensen's Ranch School challenged the Department's draconian interpretation of Utah Code Ann. Section 62A-4a-413 after the Department threatened to revoke the School's license based on its maintenance worker's criminal history. The maintenance worker, Shaun Sorensen, was the son of the School's owner and had been convicted of two felonies in California before relocating to Utah and beginning his full-time employment at the School. The Court of Appeals agreed with the School, reasoning that Subsection (2)'s prohibition of certain enumerated services to children applied more narrowly than Subsection (1)'s screening requirement for all employees of licensed child-care facilities. The court held that so long as Sorensen did not engage in any of the enumerated activities listed in Subsection (2), he could continue his employment with the School without jeopardizing the School's licensure.
I wonder what the felony charge was and how much access the guy has to other people's children? Are these kids able to tell anyone if/when they're abused?
Anyone know anything more about this one?
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Is this one of the schools that PURE refers kids to?
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They'd have a tough time referring since this guy Bundy has flooded the internet with his websites. If they do, what would you think their commission would be...pretty large from what I see. HEHEHEHEHE!! :rofl:
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I know a lot about Sorenson's Ranch School.
First, you do not have to log in to get program information on their web site. To get daily updated information about your child, yes you do have to have a log in pass word. But for general information - no.
The guy the possible license revocation was about does not work with the kids at all. Never has, and Never will.
The students are able to file written abuse charges with the state at any time.
PURE did at one time refer to SRS. Two years ago Sorenson's Ranch got smart and has not accepted any kids from Sue since then. I am sure she has quit referring to them at all.
All in all, I believe SRS is a good program. The school is accredited, the program as a whole is JAHCO accredited (as most hospitals are). They are a working ranch and offer the kids lots of activities as well as therapy and education.
If you would like more information, feel free to email me at questionsanyone@hotmail.com
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Maybe Sorenson's Ranch will wise up and not allow this Bundy spammer to refer to them either. It's all about money if he's referring to them.
The above poster seems to have inside knowledge, but, in my opinion, from a referral source perspective, i.e, educational consultant or spam referral site.
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SRS is a horrible place to send your child. Sometimes parents are happy with the program but it does not work in the long run and usually end up with more problems than they begin with.
I graduated from Sorenson's program and I have nothing but bad things to say about it. Not only because of my experience there, but the routes I saw other people take after they left.
There are other ways to reach your child. Please don't send your children here.
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I totally agree with the above post. I also graduated from SRS and was a much worse person when I left. It took years to get back on track and undo the damage.
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Now why won't Sorensen's Ranch accept any more kids from Sue at PURE? What's wrong with the kids she refers? huh?
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what is wron withSRS I was thinking os sending my child there please tell me :-?
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what is wron withSRS I was thinking os sending my child there please tell me :-?
http://www.heal-online.org/sorensen.htm (http://www.heal-online.org/sorensen.htm)
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Reportedly Sue Scheff?PURE still refers children to Sorenson's. Isabelle Zehnder reported in the SueScheffTruth blog that she was involved in referrals to Sorenson's through PURE, correct?
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what is wron withSRS I was thinking os sending my child there please tell me :-?
http://www.heal-online.org/sorensen.htm (http://www.heal-online.org/sorensen.htm)
Oh, and "nowhere"- if you're going to come back with "well I've been talking to this other place and they say that...", name the other place, too. Or just find it on ISAC (http://http://www.isaccorp.org). It's the same shit, over and over again.
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http://www.ritalindeath.com/Therapeutic ... chools.htm (http://www.ritalindeath.com/Therapeutic-Boarding-Schools.htm)
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From Fornits Wiki: Sorensen Ranch School (http://http://www.fornits.com/wiki/index.php/Sorensen%27s_Ranch_School)
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what is wron withSRS I was thinking os sending my child there please tell me :-?
Why would you send ANY child to a program?
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wow the survivors were forced off myspace by a lawsuit..
LET'S CONTACT THE KIDS AND BRING THEM HERE
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wow the survivors were forced off myspace by a lawsuit..
LET'S CONTACT THE KIDS AND BRING THEM HERE
The survivors of Sorenson's Ranch were forced off Myspace by a lawsuit by Sorenson's Ranch?
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From the Wiki:
In the news (http://http://www.fornits.com/wiki/index.php/Sorensen%27s_Ranch_School)
In 2002 the Ranch won a suit against the State Department of Human Services. The son of the founders had received a conviction for two felonies in California before starting to work for the facility, which normally would prevent such a person from working with children, but the Ranch appealed and won in the local court [3].
Former survivors have been isolated to deal with their own torment after the facility filed a lawsuit against Myspace [4].
Reference [4], which is for the MySpace lawsuit, does not have a link attached.
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L. Jay Mitchell started Sorenson's Ranch sometime ago didn't he?
I understand he sold it, but isn't this the guy who started SUWS in Idaho just a few years later? Also I think he is the SUWS of Carolina guy now too. I was told kids could beat up other kids who tried to run away from the program. This was in the 80's was it true?
It all does seem so familiar, I hate the places, I think he was working in programs when kids dies...more than once.
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I have fixed the missing links with a little help from Covergaard and added the news about the runaways.
About the case (http://http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/sorensons-ranch-school-v-myspace)
2 teens arrested after fleeing Sevier Country Group Home, (http://http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,5143,695217325,00.html) DeseretNews, October 12 2007
So the wiki page (http://http://www.fornits.com/wiki/index.php?title=Sorensen%27s_Ranch_School) should be updated now.
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what is wron withSRS I was thinking os sending my child there please tell me :-?
What's the prob? Why do you want to send him?
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I have fixed the missing links with a little help from Covergaard and added the news about the runaways.
About the case (http://http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/sorensons-ranch-school-v-myspace)
2 teens arrested after fleeing Sevier Country Group Home, (http://http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,5143,695217325,00.html) DeseretNews, October 12 2007
So the wiki page (http://http://www.fornits.com/wiki/index.php?title=Sorensen%27s_Ranch_School) should be updated now.
Good job Wiki, I think this shows that the programs need to do a better job at screening these kids prior to acceptance. These two kids clearly did not belong there and were not willing (or ready) to do any of the work required. They will be better off in the Juvenile facility somewhere until they get themselves straightened out. Kids like this, running off and stealing cars just give the other kids at the Ranch a bad name in the eyes of the locals.
...
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Kids like this, running off and stealing cars just give the other kids at the Ranch a bad name in the eyes of the locals.
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Or it shows what lengths those kids would do to get out of that place.
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Kids like this, running off and stealing cars just give the other kids at the Ranch a bad name in the eyes of the locals.
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Or it shows what lengths those kids would do to get out of that place.
These kids had a long history of stealing cars prior to attending Sorensons Ranch. Maybe the ranch knew that when they were accepted there and thought they could help them and simply miscalculated their flight risk. In any event the ranch wasnt the right place for them and they clearly were not ready to work.
...
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These kids had a long history of stealing cars prior to attending Sorensons Ranch. Maybe the ranch knew that when they were accepted there and thought they could help them and simply miscalculated their flight risk. In any event the ranch wasnt the right place for them and they clearly were not ready to work.
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So all the kids who attend Sorenson's want to be there and are 'ready to work'? Funny, you've posted before at length about the need to forcibly 'treat' these kids. Now all of a sudden when it doesn't suit your argument you change your tune.
Typical.
:roll:
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These kids had a long history of stealing cars prior to attending Sorensons Ranch. Maybe the ranch knew that when they were accepted there and thought they could help them and simply miscalculated their flight risk. In any event the ranch wasnt the right place for them and they clearly were not ready to work.
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So all the kids who attend Sorenson's want to be there and are 'ready to work'? Funny, you've posted before at length about the need to forcibly 'treat' these kids. Now all of a sudden when it doesn't suit your argument you change your tune.
Typical.
:roll:
All kids need a push, Anne, I think that is an area where we can all agree.
I think if you took a poll, at the Ranch, you would find that none of the kids want to be there. This place may be better than their next alternative… but with teenagers that goes without saying, if you walked into any high school and asked the kids to raise their hands if they wanted to go home you would probably get an overwhelming response.
But what all the kids have in common is the majority are willing and ready to work. The two kids who took off obviously were not.
...
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well, did L. jay mitchell start this shitpit or not?
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These kids had a long history of stealing cars prior to attending Sorensons Ranch. Maybe the ranch knew that when they were accepted there and thought they could help them and simply miscalculated their flight risk. In any event the ranch wasnt the right place for them and they clearly were not ready to work.
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I do not agree with you on this. The kids may have had a prior history, however they were able to overcome the "Fear" of doing it to try to get to safety somewhere.
If you read the article, the kid who had called his friend asked him not to call the police as he knew he would be sent back and would more than likely have to pay some serious consequences for trying to escape.
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These kids had a long history of stealing cars prior to attending Sorensons Ranch. Maybe the ranch knew that when they were accepted there and thought they could help them and simply miscalculated their flight risk. In any event the ranch wasnt the right place for them and they clearly were not ready to work.
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I do not agree with you on this. The kids may have had a prior history, however they were able to overcome the "Fear" of doing it to try to get to safety somewhere.
If you read the article, the kid who had called his friend asked him not to call the police as he knew he would be sent back and would more than likely have to pay some serious consequences for trying to escape.
Thats cool.. You are one of the few here on fornits who can disagree without name calling, thank you. You make a good point I will reread the article.
...
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"About the case" link expanded:
Sorenson's Ranch School v. MySpace (http://http://www.citmedialaw.org/threats/sorensons-ranch-school-v-myspace)
Posted November 16th, 2007 by dardia
Threat type: Lawsuit
Date: 07/31/2006
Subject Area(s): Anonymity, Defamation, Third-Party Content
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Parties
Party Issuing Threat: Sorenson's Ranch School; Shane Sorenson; Jill Sorenson
Type of Threatening Party: Individual, School
Location of Party: Utah
Party Receiving Threat: MySpace, Inc.; John Does 1-10
Type of Threatened Party: Individual, Intermediary
Location of Party: Massachusetts
======================================
Status and Description
Status: Concluded
Disposition: Withdrawn
Verdict or Settlement Amount:
Description:
Sorenson's Ranch School, a rehabilitation center and school for troubled youths in Koosharem, Utah, along with two of its officers filed a defamation lawsuit against MySpace and 10 unknown John Doe defendants claiming that a MySpace page had been set up in which users criticized the school's operations (the page no longer exists).
In the suit, the school alleged that MySpace and some anonymous users published statements falsely indicating that the Sorensons engaged in child abuse, employed underqualified staff, and engaged in false advertising. The plaintiffs also claimed that the defendants used "vulgar and inappropriate language" and otherwise made defamatory statements regarding the school.
The suit asked for $125,000 in damages and an injunction against further publication of the defamatory comments.
There is no indication in the case docket that plaintiffs served MySpace with the complaint, and no defendant filed an answer. About four months after filing the complaint, with no further filings or motions occuring in the case, the plaintiffs filed a notice of voluntary dismissal.
Update: 12/15/06 - Order issued dismissing the case.
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Court and Attorney Information
Court Type: Federal
Location of Filing/Threat: Utah
Court Name: United States District Court for the District of Utah
Case Number: 2:06CV00632
Legal Counsel: Ronald Barker (Plaintiff)
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Details
Publication Medium: Social Networking Site
Content Type(s): Text
Legal Claims and Defenses: Claims: defamation; injunction
Source of Law: Utah
Web Sites Involved: MySpace.com (http://http://www.myspace.com/)
Relevant Documents:
Complaint (07-31-2006) (http://http://www.citmedialaw.org/sites/citmedialaw.org/files/2006-07-31-Complaint.pdf)
Notice of Voluntary Dismissal (12-12-2006) (http://http://www.citmedialaw.org/sites/citmedialaw.org/files/2006-12-12-Notice_of_Voluntary_Dismissal.pdf)
Order of Dismissal (12-15-2006) (http://http://www.citmedialaw.org/sites/citmedialaw.org/files/2006-12-15-Order_of_Dismissal.pdf)
Related Links:
MLRC's Legal Actions and Developments Involving Blogs (http://http://www.medialaw.org/bloggerlawsuits)
Sorenson's Ranch School website (http://http://www.sorensonsranch.com/)
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Relevant Documents, expanded:
Sorenson's Ranch School v. MySpace
Complaint (07-31-2006) (http://http://www.citmedialaw.org/sites/citmedialaw.org/files/2006-07-31-Complaint.pdf)
Ronald C. Barker, #0208
BARKER LAW OFFICE, LLC
2870 South State Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115-3692
Telephone: (801) 486-9636
FAX: (801) 486-5754
e-mail: rcb@barkerlawoffice.com
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, DISTRICT OF UTAH, CENTRAL DIVISION
SORENSON'S RANCH SCHOOL, INC. a Utah corporation, SHANE SORENSON and JILL SORENSON, plaintiffs
vs.
MY SPACE and JOHN DOES #1 THRU 10, defendants.
COMPLAINT
Jury demanded
Judge Bruce S. Jenkins
Deck Type: Civil
Date Stamp: 07/31/2006 @ 14:16:25
Case Number: 2:06CV00632 BSJ
Comes now the plaintiffs, Sorenson's Ranch School, Inc., ("SORENSON'S"), Shane Sorenson ("SHANE") and Jill Sorenson ("JILL") and complain and allege against defendant My Space ("MY SPACE") as follows:
I JURISDICTION AND VENUE
1. Jurisdiction amount - This action is of a civil nature involving, exclusive of interests and costs, a sum in excess of $75,000.
2. Diversity - Plaintiffs Sorenson's, Shane and Jill were at all times hereinafter mentioned, domiciled in and citizens of the State of Utah. The defendant is believed to be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Massachusetts, having its principle place of business in a state other than Utah. Every issue of law and fact herein is wholly between citizens of different states. This Court has jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28 USCA § 1332(2) et seq.
3. Venue. Venue is properly fixed in the Central Division of the above-entitled Court pursuant to 28 USCA § 1391(a) in that a substantial part of the events giving rise to the claims herein occurred in this District and the Plaintiff is a resident of and/or conducts business in Koosharem, Utah, within the above-named District and Division.
4. Long-armed jurisdiction. The defendants have had minimum contacts, b the means of interstate commerce within the jurisdiction of this Court, including but not limited to the posting of a website on the internet which has been and is currently being published in Utah and elsewhere, including publication to residents of the State of Utah as set forth herein, sufficient to subject them to in personam jurisdiction within the meaning of US 78-27-22, et seq. The acts which subject the defendants to long-arm jurisdiction include but not limited to the acts mentioned in US § 78-27-24(1) (transacting business in Utah), US § 78-27-24(3) (causing of any injury within Utah, whether tortious or by breach of warranty), and other applicable laws. The contracts, torts, damages and/or transactions which are the subject matter of this action occurred in the State of Utah and caused harm to the Plaintiff in Utah, as is more particularly alleged throughout the complaint. Jurisdiction to serve summons outside of the State of Utah is authorized under the provisions of US § 78-27-25, et seq.
II PARTIES
5. Plaintiffs. The plaintiffs are as follows:Sorenson's Ranch School, Inc. is a corporation organized and existing under the Laws of the State of Utah, with its principle place of business in Koosharem, Utah 84744, within this District and Division.
(b) Shane and Jill Sorenson are individuals who were officers and directors of Sorenson, who reside in Koosharem, Utah, within this District and Division.[/list]
6. Defendants. The defendants are as follows:My Space, Inc. The defendant My Space is believed to be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Massachusetts, having its principle place of business in a state other than Utah.
(b) Doe defendants. The defendants designated as John Doe, #1 thru 10 are believed to be individuals and/or business organizations whose names and/or the extent of whose participation in the matters alleged herein may not be fully known to plaintiff sor some or all of the relief sought herein, who may be principals of My Space, who, by reason of their relationship with and/or participation with My Space are or may be liable to Plaintiffs for some or all of the relief claimed herein and may include attorneys, accountants, or other persons involved with the transactions alleged herein, including those who conducted the operations of My Space, advised My Space, or who participated in publishing the defamatory materials involved in the transactions mentioned herein.[/list]
III FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF (Tort)
7. Incorporation by reference - Plaintiffs incorporate herein by reference thereto all of the allegations above.
8. Operation of web-site - Defendant My Space owns and operates a web-page in the internet on which it permits various persons to post such data and/or information as they may from time to time choose. Among other activities, My Space maintains a web page devoted to publishing information concerning Sorenson's, its officers, activities, etc. ("WEB PAGE"). Said web page was not authorized or approved by Sorenson's.
9. Publication of defamatory material - Notwithstanding demands from Plaintiffs that it not do so, in said Web Page My Space has published, and continues to publish, derogatory, untrue and defamatory information concerning Plaintiffs to heir damage, including but not limited to the following:(a.) That Plaintiffs engage in child abuse.
(b.) That Plaintiffs staff is unqualified.
(c.) That Plaintiffs engage in false advertising.
(d.) Defendants have used, and continue to use vulgar and abusive language and to make inappropriate and defamatory statements toward and concerning Plaintiffs and their activities.
10. Damages - As a direct and proximate result of Defendants' acts, Plaintiff have sustained and continue to sustain special and general damages in amounts not yet determined but which are expected to exceed $75,000.
11. Punitive damages - By reasons of the willful and intentional nature of defendants conduct, Plaintiffs should be awarded punitive damages of $50,000 or in such amount as the Court deems to be proper.
IV SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF (Injunction)
12. Incorporation by reference - Plaintiffs incorporate herein by reference thereto all of the allegations above.
13. Injunctive relief - Plaintiffs have no plain, simple or adequate remedy in that the defamatory matters wrongfully continue to be published concerning them. The Court should restrain and enjoin further publication of defamatory matter concerning Plaintiffs.
V PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs pray for judgment as follows:
14. First claim - for judgment for special, general of not less than $75,000 and punitive damages of $50,000, or such other amounts as the Court determines.
15. Second claim -for a temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction and permanent injunction requiring Defendants to immediately remove all derogatory and/or defamatory information concerning Plaintiffs from their web site and for an order restraining and enjoining defendants from further publication of such matter.
16. General - For interest, costs, reasonable attorney fees to the extent allowed by law, and for such other and/or further relief as the Court determines.
17. Jury demand - Plaintiffs request that this matter be tried to a jury to the extent that a jury is allowed as to the claims asserted herein.
Dated July 26, 2006.
BARKER LAW OFFICE, LLC
By: Ronald C. Barker
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Relevant Documents, expanded:
Sorenson's Ranch School v. MySpace
Notice of Voluntary Dismissal (12-12-2006) (http://http://www.citmedialaw.org/sites/citmedialaw.org/files/2006-12-12-Notice_of_Voluntary_Dismissal.pdf)
Ronald C. Barker, #0208
BARKER LAW OFFICE, LLC
2870 South State Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115-3692
Telephone: (801) 486-9636
FAX: (801) 486-5754
e-mail: rcb@barkerlawoffice.com
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, DISTRICT OF UTAH, CENTRAL DIVISION
SORENSON'S RANCH SCHOOL, INC. a Utah corporation, SHANE SORENSON and JILL SORENSON, plaintiffs
vs.
MY SPACE and JOHN DOES #1 THRU 10, defendants.
NOTICE OF DISMISSAL
Civil No.: 2:06CV00632 BSJ
Judge: Bruce S. Jenkins
Come now the plaintiffs, Sorenson's Ranch School, Inc., Shane Sorenson, and Jill Sorenson, and dismiss the above-entitled action without prejudice pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1)(i) of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. No summons has been served, and no answer of motion for summary judgment have been filed herein.
Dated December 12, 2006.
BARKER LAW OFFICE, LLC
By: Ronald C. Barker
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Relevant Documents, expanded:
Sorenson's Ranch School v. MySpace
Order of Dismissal (12-15-2006) (http://http://www.citmedialaw.org/sites/citmedialaw.org/files/2006-12-15-Order_of_Dismissal.pdf)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT,
FOR THE DISTRICT OF UTAH, CENTRAL DIVISION
SORENSON'S RANCH SCHOOL, INC., et al, plaintiffs
vs.
MY SPACE, et al, defendants.
Civil No.: 2:06-CV-00632 J
ORDER OF DISMISSAL
Based on Plaintiffs' Notice of Dismissal filed on December 12, 2006,
IT IS ORDERED that the above entitled action is dismissed pursuant to Rule 41(a)(1)(i) of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
DATED this 14 day of December, 2006.
BY THE COURT:
Bruce S. Jenkins
United States Senior District Judge
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I am a survivor of this school, and left about 3 months prior to attending another more-helpful program. This guy (shaun) did have "access" to us residents, he occasionally came on work projects with level one students and bill sorenson (a work co-ordinator). I, myself worked several times with him.
Also, there was a member of the bagely family right next to the school who helped on a work project I was on (fencing), who is a convicted and registered sex offender.
I am in the process of writing up a paper, and my lawyer (ACLU) and I are going to be looking into... stuff.
This place is horribly abusive, and honeslty, many staff don't give a rat's ass about us.
I had one of these "Restraints" 3 times, one of which i was provoked, one of which was because I refused to sit up straight on a pile of horse manure.
Yes, they had us shovel it as a punishment, and if we refused (an option given to us) they made us sit in it, and I did not sit up straight (tired from the workout that morning and the hike in the afternoon), and was thrown to the ground by two large men.
More to come.
-Joe Biaso
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Good luck, sounds like you are in good hands!!
Question: Were you referred to this program by someone? Do you know who? If so, you might want to consider further legal action.
See ISAC program and referrer watchlist.
http://www.isaccorp.org/watchlist.asp (http://www.isaccorp.org/watchlist.asp)
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My parent's do not support this suit. It is going to be very hard to accomplish, and I am probably going to have to find a third party to actually execute it. Any ideas on this?
I'm not sure exactly what you mean, by referred, however I think my parents found it on an internet search engine.
We were forced to participate in local church activites regardless of our religious beliefs, or lack thereof, on activities and work projects. We were made to work with known criminals, without prior knowledge.
Several staff commited horrible crimes agenst the kids, and even counter-treatment things (such as sneaking in prohibited substances, aiding elopment [running away], sneak out, etc.)
Also, one more thing that NEEDS to be out there:
I myself am strong into politics, thus I waived my right to the grievance process (If I feel my rights have been violated in any way, I can fill one out and have it go through the appropriate partys to resolve it, no matter how small). One of the times I wrote this on Clay Bagely, for threatening a friend of mine to "break his legs and throw him into the canal", which Phyllis Bagely (the person who handles grieveances) ripped into pieces in front of me and refused to speak about it, instead asking me if I wanted to attend a church. This happened to several other residents there. Other ones I wrote (about 3) just simply never responded, and one they refused to give me the form to fill it out.
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Contact ISAC and let them know what's going on.
That is the FIRST STEP. Don't stress out - these people can help.
http://www.issacorp.org (http://www.issacorp.org)