Bomb threat leads to evacuation of troubled teen treatment center
SYRACUSE, Utah (ABC4) — A bomb threat led to the evacuation of a residential treatment center for troubled teenagers Monday in northern Utah, authorities say.
Syracuse police said a bomb threat was reported at Elevations Residential Treatment Center, located along 2700 South in Syracuse, a city roughly 30 miles north of Salt Lake City.
In a statement, Elevations said it received the threat at around 1:30 p.m. and immediately contacted law enforcement and evacuated its four buildings of students and staff.
Utah troubled teen center sued by former patient for alleged abuse, neglect
Police issued a shelter-in-place order for neighbors in the area, and authorities blocked off a section of 2700 South as K-9 units and a bomb squad investigated.
No bombs or devices were found in the building following an “in-depth investigation,” police said.
Roughly two hours after the bomb threat was made, students and staff returned to the facility, traffic diversions were cleared, and the shelter-in-place order was lifted.
According to police, this was an isolated incident, and had no connections to a shooting Saturday where a boy was injured.
In a statement, Elevations RTC executive director Jennifer Wilde said staff at the facility are “deeply concerned and appalled” by the threat, which she noted came roughly a week after a teenager filed a lawsuit against the treatment center.
“We want to assure all families and the public that our students are safe,” Wilde said. “We have
implemented stringent safety measures and evacuation protocols, which have proven
effective in ensuring the secure departure of all from the premises during these threats.”
She added that Elevations is working closely with law enforcement “to ensure that the responsible individuals will be held accountable.” Wilde asked anyone with information on the threat to call police.
Last week, an 18-year-old former student at Elevations filed a lawsuit against the treatment center, alleging neglect and abuse.
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