A mental health care center in St. George has been temporarily barred from accepting new patients after an altercation on Aug. 3. The incident resulted in a patient suffering multiple injuries that led to hospitalization.
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services has issued a letter stating the Crimson Heights location may not accept new clients until Jan. 28, 2026.
“On Aug. 3, 2025, a staff member engaged in conduct that caused physical harm to a client, including multiple lacerations to the client’s torso and a fractured elbow that required surgery,” the department said in the letter.
The incident occurred when the patient, described as “developmentally-delayed and dysregulated,” asked an employee for space and started throwing rocks at them.
“Instead of disengaging, the staff member initiated a physical restraint,” the department said. “The restraint was not the least restrictive option. The staff member restrained the shirtless client in a prone position on landscaping rocks, causing the client multiple injuries and unnecessary pain.”
Utah DHHS standards stipulate that care facilities like Crimson Heights, which offers autism and behavioral health services to youth as well as therapy and mental health support, must use comprehensive behavioral management techniques. They also may only use restraints in specific situations that don’t cause injury or discomfort.
“Crimson Heights remains firmly committed to transparency, client safety, and the highest standards of care across all our programs,” the company said in a statement. “We want to be clear that the protocols required by the Department of Health and Human Services were followed including reporting what occurred and providing a notice on our website that a review is taking place.”
Other Crimson Heights locations are still open to new patients, but the company has been ordered to increase the frequency of inspections and implement new behavioral management training for employees.
Author: Payson Davis
Photo credit: Paul Bardazzi
Editor: Hannah Clove
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