Biruk Silvers died last November while at the Utah teen treatment facility.
(Zoom) Joshua and Kathryn Silvers read a statement during a news conference Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. The Silvers last week sued Discovery Ranch Academy, saying its negligence led to the death of their son, Biruk.
Note to readers • This article discusses suicide. If you or people you know are at risk of self-harm, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for 24-hour support.
The parents of a 17-year-old boy who died at a Utah County teen treatment center have sued Discovery Ranch Academy, alleging that its negligence led to his death last November.
Biruk Silvers had been staying at the Mapleton facility when he died by suicide on Nov. 5, according to authorities. His parents, Kathryn and Joshua Silvers, allege in a lawsuit filed in 3rd District Court earlier this month that staff left Biruk alone for a “significant period of time,” and that he was allowed access to a belt that contributed to his death.
(Silvers family) Biruk Silvers was 17 when he died at Discovery Ranch Academy.
The parents say in the lawsuit that Biruk either died by suicide — ideations which he expressed to Discovery Ranch’s psychiatrist in the days prior — or by playing a self-harm game. The parents say that Biruk admitted during a family call with a Discovery Ranch therapist two weeks before his death that he had been playing the game, which deprives the brain of oxygen and can cause a feeling of euphoria.
“This is one of the most egregious cases of negligence we’ve seen in a youth treatment setting,” Alan Mortensen, the attorney for the Silvers family, said in a statement. “The system utterly failed Biruk. He asked for help. He described his plan to die. And those responsible for protecting him did nothing.”
State licensors determined that Discovery Ranch failed to create a care plan for Biruk after he expressed suicidal ideation, and that he was not provided with enough supervision to keep him safe. The program also did not follow its suicide prevention policy, the licensing division found, and failed to report a previous instance in April 2024 when a staff member physically restrained Biruk.
Discovery Ranch was ordered to pay more than $10,000 in civil penalties for these violations, according to state records, and its license is now in good standing.
Clint Dorny, Discovery Ranch’s executive director, said in a statement that the company continues “to extend its deepest condolences to the family during this incredibly difficult time,” but added that he did not want to discuss specific details to respect Biruk’s privacy and in light of the lawsuit.
He said that he believed certain information that has been made public about Biruk’s death was inaccurate, but he did not respond when asked to identify specifics.
The Silvers are also suing the University of Utah, which employs Biruk’s psychiatrist — who also works at Discovery Ranch. They allege that Biruk told the psychiatrist a “detailed” suicide plan weeks before his death, but the medical professional did not intervene or alert Biruk’s parents.
A spokesperson for U. Health declined to comment due to ongoing litigation, but said, “We stand behind the professionalism and compassion of our physician.”
Also named as defendants were Pilcrow Advisors, an Illinois company which consulted with the Silvers and advised that Biruk be sent to Discovery Ranch. The couple allege in the lawsuit that they expressed concern to the consulting company about how Biruk was being treated at the program before his death, but said they were advised to “stay the course.” Pilcrow did not respond to a request for comment.
When Biruk checked into Discovery Ranch in April, he did not bring a belt with him and a belt is not listed on the inventory of items that residents should bring when admitted, according to the lawsuit.
It’s not clear how he got a belt, but the parents say in their lawsuit that Dorny told them after Biruk’s death that the program allowed the students to have belts so that their “cracks would not show.” Despite Biruk’s disclosures to Discovery Ranch staff that he was suicidal, his belt had not been taken away and he was left alone, the lawsuit alleges.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Kathryn Silvers urged Utah lawmakers to bring more oversight to teen treatment facilities during a February hearing.
Kathyrn Silvers, who adopted Biruk and his brother from Ethiopia, has said she had growing concerns for Biruk during his stay, and sent about 25 emails to Discovery Ranch staff in the nine days before her son’s death. Some of the messages, she has said, noted he appeared disengaged during family calls and alerted the facility that she and her husband worried about the seemingly worsening effects of the depression medication he had been prescribed.
The couple alleges in their lawsuit that staff failed to act, and left Biruk unsupported and vulnerable.