Utah Boarding School Faces License Revocation
A Utah-based boarding school, where Paris Hilton claimed to have suffered abuse during her teenage years, has had its license revoked by state authorities. The decision comes after regulators cited issues such as unnecessary restraint, physical aggression, and neglect at the Provo Canyon School's Springville campus, with records of noncompliance extending back to 2025.
Paris Hilton, a prominent advocate for closing the school, shared her personal experiences at the institution in the 1990s and has testified before Congress regarding the matter. She expressed that the facility had "failed the children in its care." The school is currently considering appealing the decision.
State Action and Institutional Response
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) stated that the school did not provide the necessary health and safety services. As a result, the school's residential treatment license has been withdrawn, and all activities on the campus must cease by August 6, according to a letter from state regulators. The school has a 15-day window to contest the ruling.
Paris Hilton, 45, voiced her support for the state's decision, stating, "For more than fifty years, children came forward with stories of abuse, neglect, and trauma." She emphasized that the state's action validated what survivors have long known about the institution's failures.
"I know what it feels like to cry for help and believe no-one is coming. Today, children still inside that facility know someone is finally coming to protect them," Hilton remarked.
School officials have communicated their intention to review all legal and administrative options, including a potential appeal. They stated, "Our priority remains providing safe, high-quality care and support for adolescents and their families, and we remain committed to serving those in need."
Continued Scrutiny and Restrictions
Beyond Hilton, other former residents have also called for the school's closure, leading to complaints filed with the state licensing agency last month. In June, the state imposed temporary restrictions on the school's boys' campus in Provo, Utah. The boys' campus can continue operating but is barred from accepting new admissions. An investigation revealed that staff failed to protect a boy during an altercation and delayed seeking medical treatment for his injuries.
Paris Hilton spent nearly a year at the Springville school in the 1990s when it was under different ownership. She disclosed her experiences of alleged physical assault, forced medication, and solitary confinement in a 2020 documentary about her life. Hilton recounted that her parents believed "tough love" was necessary to address her behavior, a decision that continues to affect her.
Efforts for Reform
The wealthy socialite has been a vocal critic of the "troubled teen industry" and has advocated for legislative changes to protect teenagers from similar treatment at private, for-profit centers. She has testified before Congress and state legislatures to push for reforms in the care of adolescents with behavioral issues.
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