This the History of and Reporting Guide for Cedar Ridge Academy in Roosevelt, UT

 

On this page you will find incomplete staff and complaint histories with sources cited (i.e. Progress Report), the general advisory against segregated congregate care with sources cited, and a reporting guide for those unlawfully harmed or firsthand witnesses to unlawful harm by or at this location to report violations of the law to the proper authorities/law enforcement.  The staff list itself will not be updated with additional names out of a sense of fairness where those providing the names ask for anonymity or confidentiality.  And, this program will remain eligible for merciful release if all criteria are met and no guest sermon is provided by a qualifying sponsor by that time.  In the meantime, it can graduate the COPE Conversion Program by meeting the Honesty In Marketing Standards (HIMS) or permanently close to be removed from the watch-list/released from the COPE Conversion Program.  If permanently closed prior to graduation or merciful release, it will be buried in the virtual graveyard.

 

PLEASE REPORT ABUSE OR OTHER VIOLATIONS AT THIS FACILITY HERE: https://hslic.utah.gov/concerns-incidents

   

Name

Unit/Position

 Additional Information
Robert Nielson Program Director/Owner Robert Alexander Nielson (may be a different person) is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Utah and has been since January, 1997.  (You may notice that the program was operating in 1996 prior to Nielson's professional licensure.)  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Pamela Nielson Counselor/Owner Robert's wife.  Co-founded the program in 1996.  Nielson is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Wes Nielson Director of Operations/Owner Degree from questionable and reportedly fraudulent "University of Phoenix" programs.  Nielson is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Sean Haggerty Admissions/Owner Haggerty has been with Cedar Ridge since 1998.  Haggerty is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html   Haggerty reportedly no longer owns nor works for Cedar Ridge Academy.
Nadine Nelson Accounting Joined Cedar Ridge in 2005.  HEAL chose not to do a professional licensure check on Nadine Nelson because accounting does not typically require professional licensure nor effect client welfare.
Brent Crane Therapist Brigham Young University (BYU) graduate.  Crane has been with Cedar Ridge since 2002.  Brent Earl Crane (may be a different person) is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Utah and has been since November, 2004.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Shane A. Whiting Therapist BYU graduate.  Joined Cedar Ridge in 2004.  Shane Whiting is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Utah and has been since March, 2005.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Josh Miller Therapist Degree from questionable and reportedly fraudulent "University of Phoenix" programs.  Miller joined Cedar Ridge in 2001 and has worked in other unnamed residential and wilderness programs.*  Joshua Emerson Miller (may be a different person) is a licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in Utah and has been since May, 2013.  (You will notice Miller has been a therapist with Cedar Ridge since long before completing his education in 2009 and professional licensure in 2013.)  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Layne Southam Teacher Southam is a licensed educator in Utah.  For endorsements and additional information, please contact the Utah State Office of Education, Licensing department. 
Chad Hamblin Teacher Hamblin is a licensed educator in Utah.  For endorsements and additional information, please contact the Utah State Office of Education, Licensing department. 
Eric Carlson Teacher Carlson is a licensed educator in Utah.  For endorsements and additional information, please contact the Utah State Office of Education, Licensing department. 
Jim Munford Teacher Formerly worked for Second Nature Wilderness and seven years in the military including as security for the 2002 Olympics.  Munford is not a licensed educator in Utah.  Source: E-mail from Utah State Office of Education.
Jeremy Conotah Teacher Conotah no longer appears to be working for this program.  Conotah is not a licensed educator in Utah.  Source: E-mail from Utah State Office of Education.
Teri Southam Support Staff Formerly worked for Utah Office of Education.  Joined Cedar Ridge in 2006.  Southam is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Annie Jacobs Support Staff Joined Cedar Ridge in 2001.  Jacobs is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Emery Symonds Residential Redwood Home Mgr.  Joined Cedar Ridge (CR) in 2002.  Symonds is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Steven Oldham Residential Aspen Home Mgr.  Joined CR in 2001.  Oldham no longer appears to be working for this facility.  Oldham is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Kevin Hensen Residential Joined CR in 2008.  Hensen is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Darline Allen Residential Ombu Home Mgr.  Joined CR in 2003.  Allen is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Geary Oakes Student Svcs. Joined CR in 1999.  (See article below.  Oakes was charged with sexually abusing two girls in this program in 2009.  How many unreported victims during those 10 years?)  Oakes no longer appears to be working for this facility.  Oakes is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Deon Bradshaw Student Svcs. Joined CR in 1999.  (female)  Bradshaw is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Steve Miller Admissions Director HEAL requires Miller's full name (i.e. Stephen, Steven, etc.), including middle name, and/or license number in order to complete license verification check. 
Don Lewis Academic Director Lewis is not a licensed educator in Utah.  Source: E-mail from Utah State Office of Education.
Sterling Malin IT Svcs/Tutor Malin is not a licensed educator in Utah.  Source: E-mail from Utah State Office of Education.
Jacob Auna Therapist Jacob Kawenaokalani Auna (may be a different person) is licensed SOLEY AS A CERTIFIED SOCIAL WORKER INTERN AND HAS ONLY HELD THE INTERN LICENSURE SINCE AUGUST, 2013.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html   (Auna did not graduate college until April, 2013.)
Holland Olsen Guidance Counselor Olsen is not a licensed educator in Utah.  Source: E-mail from Utah State Office of Education.
Laurel Hunsaker Registrar Hunsaker is not a licensed educator in Utah.  Source: E-mail from Utah State Office of Education.
James Coxson Math Coxson is a licensed educator in Utah.  For endorsements and additional information, please contact the Utah State Office of Education, Licensing department. 
Kimberly Hawks Social Studies Hawks was a licensed educator in Utah.  Hawks license has expired.  For endorsements and additional information, please contact the Utah State Office of Education, Licensing department. 
Kristi Wall English Wall is a licensed educator in Utah.  For endorsements and additional information, please contact the Utah State Office of Education, Licensing department. 
Sam Hoopes Residential Hoopes is not a licensed mental health nor medical professional in Utah.  Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html
Brad (last name ?) Staff Reported by survivor via e-mail January, 2015.
Jackie Jackson Staff Reported by survivor via e-mail January, 2015.  HEAL requires Jackson's full name (i.e. Jacqueline M. Jackson) in order to verify whether nor not Jackson holds any professional licenses in UT.
Barbie (last name?) Staff Reported by survivor via e-mail January, 2015.
Tina Powell Staff Reported by survivor via e-mail July, 2015.
Renea (last name?) Staff Reported by survivor via e-mail July, 2015.
Wanda Smith Staff Reported by survivor via e-mail July, 2015.
Mark Thal Staff Reported by survivor via e-mail July, 2015.
Heather Coxson Staff Reported by survivor via e-mail July, 2015.
Michael Secrest Staff Reported by survivor via e-mail July, 2015.
Joshua Felts Staff Reported by survivor via e-mail July, 2015.
Dillon Tabee Staff Reported by survivor via e-mail July, 2015.
Cody (last name?)   Reported by survivor via e-mail July, 2015.
Greg Burnham Therapist Reported by survivor via e-mail May, 2016 
Name: GREGORY LYNN BURNHAM
City, State, Zip, Country: SPANISH FORK, UT 846605773, UNITED STATES
Profession: MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPY
License Type: MARRIAGE & FAMILY THERAPIST
License Number: 4910479-3902
Obtained By: APPLICATION
License Status: ACTIVE
Original Issue Date: 01/30/2002
Expiration Date: 09/30/2016
Agency and Disciplinary Action*: NONE
Docket Number: N/A

Source: https://secure.utah.gov/llv/search/index.html

You can e-mail complaints regarding any licensed staff in Utah to: DOPL@utah.gov or visit http://www.dopl.utah.gov/investigations/complaint.html for more options.
Millie Harward Anderson Admissions Counselor  
     

Duchesne nurse charged with sex abuse of teens--December 8th, 2009--(Cedar Ridge Academy in Utah)--ROOSEVELT — A man who worked as a nurse at a boarding school for troubled teens has been charged with sexually abusing two of the school's teenage residents.

Geary David Oakes, 57, of Cedarview, Duchesne County, is charged in 8th District Court with two counts of forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony, and two counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony.

A nurse at Cedar Ridge Academy, Oakes engaged in sex acts with two 15-year-old students from the school, the charges state.

One of the teens told deputies that Oakes gave him pain medication, according to the Duchesne County Sheriff's Office, and that he "provides pain and sleeping medications for the kids at Cedar Ridge and tells them to keep it a secret." Oakes denied that he had supplied anyone with medication that was not prescribed, authorities said.

Cedar Ridge Academy, located north of Roosevelt, is billed as a therapeutic boarding school. Investigators believe Oakes' alleged activities with the teens occurred at the school and at his home during November. 

Duchesne nurse charged with sex abuse of teens--December 8th, 2009--(Cedar Ridge Academy in Utah)-- ROOSEVELT — A man who worked as a nurse at a boarding school for troubled teens has been charged with sexually abusing two of the school's teenage residents. Geary David Oakes, 57, of Cedarview, Duchesne County, is charged in 8th District Court with two counts of forcible sodomy, a first-degree felony, and two counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony. A nurse at Cedar Ridge Academy, Oakes engaged in sex acts with two 15-year-old students from the school, the charges state. One of the teens told deputies that Oakes gave him pain medication, according to the Duchesne County Sheriff's Office, and that he "provides pain and sleeping medications for the kids at Cedar Ridge and tells them to keep it a secret." Oakes denied that he had supplied anyone with medication that was not prescribed, authorities said. Cedar Ridge Academy, located north of Roosevelt, is billed as a therapeutic boarding school. Investigators believe Oakes' alleged activities with the teens occurred at the school and at his home during November. 
THE TRUTH:

All segregated congregate care providers, including those on our watch-list, are welcome to contact us to correct any information or provide additional data that may assist with delivering the whole truth to the public.  The HEAL Mission of COPE (HEAL) found in many cases where this offer has been abused or resulted in revealing additional basis for our concerns. For some examples see feedback.  Now, we are willing to look at the facts and may have questions or require documentation backing up any claims.  We do verify licensing, academic backgrounds, and other qualifications when investigating and researching programs on our watch-lis/enrolled in the Conversion Program to assist consumers seeking additional information on such programs or victims requiring assistance with getting corroborating evidence of their claims.  We do that in order to make sure the information we provide is accurate and verified and cite our sources.  In the event any information we've posted is in error, we're happy to make a correction. 

HEAL does not support segregated congregate care for many reasons which include that many such facilities are abusive, exploitative, fraudulent, and lack effective oversight often as a result of fraudulent misrepresentation coupled with the ignorance of those seeking to enroll loved ones in such facilities, programs, schools, or centers without a valid court order and involuntarily.  In the United States such involuntary placements done without a court order are apparently illegal as they either violate the Americans with Disabilities Act community integration requirement or due process rights of those involuntarily placed.  Now, in regards to parents, in the United States parents have the right to waive their own rights, but, not the rights of their minor children.  See https://www.cope.church/legalarguments.htm for more information.  Now, most facilities on our watch list include waivers, indemnity clauses, and sworn statements legal guardians must sign assuring the program that the parents/legal guardians have the right to make the placement involuntarily and without due process in a segregated congregate care environment, however, California and federal prosecutors as well as settled law appears to suggest that is not the case.  In fact, in the David Taylor case found at https://www.cope.church/provocases.htm , Taylor sued Provo Canyon School and his mother as co-defendants.  His mother was found liable for 75% of the damages awarded to Taylor as a result of multiple complaints including false imprisonment, while the program was found only 25% liable because the mother owed a duty of due diligence to investigate anyone to which she would entrust care of her child and she failed to do so. 

Now, HEAL opposes segregated congregate care and we find most placements are happening illegally in the USA which if the youth understood their rights would result in unfortunate outcomes for the parents, particularly when they don't exercise good judgment and support the fraud and abuse rather than their own children when they need remedy and justice.  And, HEAL supports all victims of fraud and abuse in seeking remedies at law for any crimes or torts committed against them.  And, that's true whether or not the program or victims are in the USA. 

HEAL has a 5 point argument against segregated congregate care we'd like you to consider:

a.  Segregated care is unconstitutional and a civil rights violation.  It is only permissible if a person is unable to survive independent of an institutional environment.  For more on this, watch the HEAL Report at  https://youtu.be/C4NzhZc4P0A.  Or, see:   http://www.ada.gov/olmstead/  which includes in part:    "United States v. Florida – 1:12-cv-60460 – (S.D. Fla.) – On April 7, 2016, the United States filed an Opposition to the State of Florida’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment.  In the Motion, the State had asked the Court to rule, on a variety of grounds, that the United States could not recover damages for unnecessarily institutionalized children to whom the State had been deliberately indifferent."

b.  Institutionalization is always dehumanizing and coercive.  Institutionalization always harms the institutionalized and deprives them of protected civil rights.  Dr. David Straker, Psychiatry Professor at Columbia University's School of Medicine (Ivy League) explains this in detail at http://changingminds.org/disciplines/sociology/articles/institutionalization.htm.  "Many institutions, from prisons to monasteries to asylums, deliberately want to control and manage their inmates such that they conform and do not cause problems. Even in less harsh environments, many of the institutionalization methods may be found, albeit in more moderated form (although the psychological effect can be equally devastating)."  (See website linked in this paragraph for more info.)

c.  Institutionalization is not in the best interest of children.  Institutions are not ever better for a child than living with a loving family.  Source:   http://www.unicef.org/cambodia/12681_23295.html       

d.  Reform schools, residential treatment programs, and other segregated congregate care settings have been shown to be ineffective and harmful.  Best source on this currently is:     https://www.acgov.org/probation/documents/EndoftheReformSchoolbyVinny.doc

e. Boarding Schools, even the "good ones", result in a form of social death, isolation, and cause both anxiety and depression.  Therefore, it is clearly not in the best interest of the youth subjected to those environments.  Sources: http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jun/08/boarding-school-syndrome-joy-schaverien-review and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/secondaryeducation/11662001/The-truth-about-boarding-school-syndrome.html

Beyond the above arguments against segregated congregate care, we have reports from the NIH, Surgeon General, Yale University Studies, and much more showing the methodologies of behavior modification are damaging, harmful, and ineffective.  You can request these documents via e-mail.  In addition, for such programs offering academic services or claiming to offer diplomas, certifications, or the like, it is important to check to see if it is a diploma mill with no accredited academic services.  Please see article: "Avoiding Scams: What You Need To Know"  for important information on how to avoid education/training scams.

If you'd like to see what HEAL suggests rather than segregated congregate care (i.e. committing a crime or tort against your child if done against their will without a court order), please see articles: "Fix Your Family, Help Your Teen" and "Emancipation Guide".
REPORTING GUIDE FOR VICTIMS, SURVIVORS, AND WHISTLEBLOWERS:
 
In Utah, the statutes of limitation do not apply to crimes against children that include sex offenses and human trafficking. There are no statutes of limitation on murder and kidnapping in Utah.  Other felonies have statutes of limitation ranging from 4 years to 8 years. Most misdemeanors in the state have a 2-year time limit. For civil suits in Utah, the statute of limitations is 4 years depending on cause of action. 

Options for you to take action and/or seek redress/justice today are listed below:

1.  Report crimes such as assault, fraud, battery, labor trafficking, and child abuse to law enforcement in Utah. You can call the Roosevelt Police at (435) 722-2330  to inquire about filing an official complaint which may provide the probable cause needed to get a warrant for investigation and/or prosecution.  You may also wish to submit a concern to state regulators in charge of licensing Cedar Ridge Academy which you can do at this link: https://hslic.utah.gov/submit-a-concern

2.  File a consumer complaint with your home state's attorney general against Cedar Ridge Academy and include your request for compensation for any harm done to you.  If you live in Utah and/or would like to file consumer complaint as a non-resident with the Attorney General of Utah, visit: https://dcp.utah.gov/complaints.html .

3.  If you do not wish to file a consumer complaint, you can contact a private personal injury attorney and look into suing in tort/civil court.  However, if you can't afford the retainer, you should expect to settle out of court with a non-disclosure agreement which may bar you from speaking publicly about the incident because you've agreed (even if with a grumbling assent) to the terms of the settlement. 
 
4.  You may send a new e-mail to rev@cope.church with subject "Post My Feedback" and we will post your feedback (e-mail printed to .pdf disclosing your name and e-mail address and any information in your e-mail with that subject) to https://www.cope.church/feedback.htm  and add a direct link to those .pdf files to this page . 

 5. You may also wish to provide a guest sermon.  Guest sermons are posted at https://www.cope.church/sermons.htm , under Progress Reports/Guest Sermons at https://www.cope.church/conversion.htm where appropriate, and on program info pages when applicable.  So, one provided by you on your program would also be placed on this page .  Guest sermons should be written into the body of an e-mail and sent to rev@cope.church . Your first and last name will be disclosed (contact info will not be unless you expressly request disclosure).  For sermons available on our site see https://www.cope.church/sermons.htm  (and sermon archives linked on that page).  If you have questions about this option, please contact rev@cope.church. Please see https://www.cope.church/givetoday.pdf  to get an idea what your sermon may be worth.
3/9/22: COPE Conversion Program Progress Report: Cedar Ridge Academy

 

 Last Updated: February 24th, 2023

Return to https://www.cope.church/conversion.htm