Zehnder Report #1
February 26, 2005
Isabelle Zehnder
Investigative Reporter
Contact:
--
Utah Media
-- Utah
Officials
Majestic Ranch:
A Living Nightmare for Kids
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News Stories |
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Boarding
school faces allegations of abuse
KSL-TV, from AP wire
service
February 16, 2005
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A northern Utah boarding school is facing allegations of abuse.
The Majestic Ranch, just north of Randolph, is being investigated after complaints of unsanitary conditions and abusive restraint practices.
The complaints come from current and former employees who say the school's 60-plus students are being neglected.
Rich County Sheriff Dale Stacey, health and fire department officials inspected the school last week.
Stacey has yet to file a report, but he says he believes the allegations are mostly without merit.
But two former employees criticize the state's approach, arguing Rich County's small-town atmosphere calls for independent investigators.
Majestic Ranch has been investigated three
times for alleged abuse. Only one ended in a criminal charge and conviction
of a former employee who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault.