Utah revokes license for boarding school where Paris Hilton says she was abused as a teen

Utah Revokes License for Boarding School Where Paris Hilton Alleged Abuse

Utah revokes license for boarding school – State regulators in Utah have officially revoked the operating license of Provo Canyon School, a residential facility where socialite Paris Hilton has publicly stated she endured abuse during her teenage years. The decision, which became effective on Monday, stems from the school’s inability to deliver necessary health and safety provisions for its residents. According to the official notice, the institution faces multiple noncompliance issues regarding its campus located in Springville. This action represents one of the most significant regulatory moves against the facility in recent years.

Comprehensive Review Reveals Systemic Failures

The state’s regulatory body, the Department of Health & Human Services, has outlined a wide range of citations against the school, many of which date back to 2025. Among the primary concerns are failures to maintain appropriate staff-to-client ratios, ensuring that enough personnel are available to monitor and assist students. Furthermore, the school was cited for engaging in unnecessary physical restraints and utilizing aggressive contact with clients. Other violations include neglecting basic care duties and failing to verify employee information or submit background checks for applicants within the required timeframe.

Regulatory inspectors documented numerous instances where students were not receiving adequate medical attention when needed. The investigation revealed that staff members sometimes delayed seeking professional medical help for injured students, potentially worsening their conditions. Additionally, the school faced criticism for inadequate record-keeping practices and insufficient documentation of student incidents and care plans.

In May, state health officials had already imposed temporary restrictions on the facility. These interim measures were enacted after it was discovered that staff members did not seek immediate medical attention for a student who had sustained serious injuries. Under the new order, all services at the campus must be fully terminated by August 6. The school currently has fifteen days to request a formal hearing to contest the revocation.

Hilton’s Public Support and Historical Context

Paris Hilton, the hotel heiress and media personality, released a statement on Tuesday expressing her support for the state’s decision. She highlighted the long history of complaints against the institution. In her statement, Hilton said:

For more than fifty years, children came forward with stories of abuse, neglect, and trauma. Today, the state confirmed what survivors have known all along: Provo Canyon School failed the children in its care.

Hilton, who is now forty-five years old, spent nearly a year at the school during the late 1990s. She has been vocal about her experiences, describing physical and emotional abuse that occurred during her time there. Her public statements have helped bring renewed attention to the facility’s troubled history and the ongoing concerns of former students.

The revocation of Provo Canyon School’s license marks a significant moment for survivors who have long sought accountability. State officials emphasized that the decision was based on extensive documentation and multiple rounds of inspections. The facility’s closure will affect current students and staff, while also setting a precedent for how residential schools are monitored in Utah.