Editor’s note • This article discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is at risk of self-harm, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for 24-hour support.

The family of a 17-year-old boy who died at a youth treatment center in Utah County earlier this month claims medical malpractice and staff negligence led to his preventable death, according to two legal notices filed Monday.

The boy, Biruk Silvers, lived at Discovery Ranch Academy in Mapleton. when you die By suicide on November 5, according to authorities. His parents, Kathryn and Joshua Silvers, now allege that a belt “provided by or authorized by staff” contributed to his death, according to a copy of the notice of claim provided to The Salt Lake Tribune.

Alan Mortensen, an attorney representing the family, said at Monday’s news conference that a notice of claim in Utah is a necessary “first step” before taking legal action against a government entity like the University of Utah. In this case, the family plans to sue Discovery Ranch and several staff members, including staff psychiatrist Jonathan Birnkrant, who works in the United States and is listed as a defendant.

The family also requested Monday that the allegations be heard by a screening panel that is supposed to review potential medical malpractice cases filed against health care providers in Utah.

The family said in the notice of claim that Biruk did not bring a belt with him when he checked into Discovery Ranch in April, and that the belt was not on the list of items residents were required to bring upon admission.

The notice also alleges that Discovery Ranch staff had been aware of Biruk’s self-harm plans for “more than half a month” but “failed to recognize clear signs of escalating mental health crises, ignored suicidal thoughts, and failed to adequately meet Biruk’s needs.”

Clinton Dorny, Discovery Ranch’s general manager, said in an email Monday that the resort has been “fully cooperative and transparent with authorities and their investigations.” Dorny, who is named as a defendant, previously shared the same statement with The Salt Lake Tribune on November 8.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss and mourn with the family,” Dorny said.

Officials said Mapleton Police and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services continue to investigate the child’s death but were not aware of the family’s allegations ahead of Monday’s news conference.

“We can’t understand how Biruk could have been left alone,” Mortensen said in a conversation with The Tribune on Thursday, “especially from a facility that markets itself as a way for children like this to come and be protected and returned to real life for ‘treatment’.”

Worries that have been going on for months

Biruk was sent to live at Discovery Ranch by his family on April 17 to receive treatment for his depression, suicidal ideation and trauma, according to the statement. It was stated that parents believed the facility was a “safe and supportive environment.”

But the family says Biruk claimed to have been “strangled and beaten” by a relative during a meeting with his parents and William Perry Garso, a licensed mental health counselor who was also listed as a participant, a few days after his arrival. An employee of the centre. The notice of claim alleges that the alleged assault was not disclosed by the center to parents or authorities. The parents say they only received a report about it after requesting it from Discovery Ranch.

Months later, on October 14, Biruk’s mother sent an email to the same counselor, expressing frustration at what she felt was a lack of communication with Birnkrant, the boy’s psychiatrist.

In another family meeting with Biruk and the counselor on October 17, the parents asked if their son was taking any medications as part of his treatment. The next day, Biruk was given a prescription for Lexapro; The notice states that they were “fired” when parents expressed concerns that Lexapro may pose a high risk of suicide for those under 25.

According to the statement of claim, it is stated that during a meeting with Birnkrant on October 23, approximately two weeks before the child’s death, Biruk revealed a “detailed plan” to die by suicide. He also described feelings of hopelessness, worsening depression, and ongoing suicidal ideation.

However, the statement alleges that Birnkrant, who only met with Biruk virtually, did not instruct staff to initiate one-on-one supervision with Biruk and did not disclose Biruk’s thoughts to his family or authorities until after his death.

Instead, he noted to “check in” with Biruk a week later, the statement said.

That same day, the parents also met with Biruk and Perry Garso for another family meeting. Biruk did not mention suicidal thoughts, depression or plans to harm himself during the interview, the statement said. But he told them he was playing a trick that It involves using a belt to temporarily deprive the brain of oxygen.

According to the tip, Biruk said he engaged in “life-threatening” activity after counseling sessions “10-20 times a day for more than a week.” When parents voiced concerns, the counselor told them they were “lower on the totem pole of concerns,” the notice states.

Perry Garso was not aware at the time that Biruk had revealed to Birnkrant his plan to die by suicide. The consultant later stated that he did not know about Biruk until he signed a report from Birnkrant on November 4, the day before he died, according to the announcement.

Katyrn Silvers, who adopted Biruk and his brother from Ethiopia, said she became increasingly concerned, sending about 25 emails to Discovery Ranch staff in the nine days before her son’s death, some of which noted that her sons appeared disinterested during family conversations and that she and her husband, They were concerned about the apparent worsening effects of their medications.

The document states that Birnkrant ultimately recommended doubling the drug dose. The statement alleges that on November 1, the boy once again announced his plan to die by suicide and possibly harm others, but Birnkrant again did not convey this to his family.

“We have been assured that we will be partners in his care and will be kept informed at every stage,” the mother said at Monday’s press conference. “But they broke that promise. They left us in the dark about what we needed to know to protect our son.”

When Biruk died, he was left alone with no staff present because his young friends were attending “another event,” the statement said. His family claims he either followed his previously announced plan to harm himself or died accidentally while playing the game the staff knew he was playing.

The day after her death, Dorny explained in an email to Biruk’s parents that Discovery Ranch allowed teenagers at the facility to wear belts so their “stretch marks wouldn’t show,” the announcement said.

In an email to The Tribune, a DHHS spokesperson said the facilities are necessary to ensure “client health and safety,” but noted that belts or other “essential everyday items” are not specifically restricted.

The parents allege that the facility failed to supervise their son, failed to communicate critical information, mismanaged his medications, minimized self-harming behavior, failed to act on psychiatric evaluations, neglected his medical needs and violated parental trust, among other claims. to notification.

As of Monday, DHHS had not issued a statement. compliance statement to the treatment plant. In an email to The Tribune, an agency spokesperson said licensed providers must develop and follow policies to prevent suicide.

They are also required to report “critical events” to the client’s guardians within 24 hours of their occurrence. “Critical events” do not include suicidal ideation but can include medication errors, allegation or confirmation of abuse or neglect, and death of a minor.

“To all parents considering placing their children at Discovery Ranch Academy, we have a clear and urgent message for you: don’t,” Biruk’s mother said Monday, sitting next to a childhood photo of her husband and their son. “Discovery Ranch markets itself as a therapeutic sanctuary for vulnerable children, but it is anything but that. “They failed to protect our son when he needed them most, and his loss is a tragic reminder of how easily vulnerable children can fall over the edge when those responsible for their care fail to do their duty.”