Nevada lawmakers have approved nearly $485,000 in funding to regulate youth mental health facilities in Las Vegas following a court decision that allowed the state to investigate claims of neglect and abuse. The decision comes after a district court ruling lifted a temporary restraining order that had previously blocked access to records and facilities involved in the controversy.
On Thursday, members of the Interim Finance Committee voted to allocate the funds to the Nevada Health Authority to oversee the regulation of Moriah Behavioral Health, a company operating residential treatment centers for troubled youth. The allocation is a response to troubling allegations that have emerged over the past few months regarding the Moriah facilities, including its subsidiaries Ignite Teen Treatment and Eden Treatment.
Assemblymember Tracy Brown-May, D-Las Vegas, expressed her outrage over the situation, calling the reports “heartbreaking and horrifying.” She remarked on the long delay in addressing the issues, which include 36 complaints of potential violations of state and federal laws since July 2024. Brown-May emphasized the need for immediate action to ensure that these vulnerable children are protected and provided with proper care.
Moriah Behavioral Health provides intensive, 24-hour care for adolescents struggling with significant emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. The services target issues like eating disorders, depression, and addiction. However, state inspectors have found serious deficiencies at some of the facilities. Records revealed incomplete medical documentation, hazardous living conditions, and failure by staff to provide evidence of necessary physician oversight for children under their care.
Two of Moriah’s homes have been shut down, leaving nine children in two remaining facilities, which are licensed as psychiatric residential treatment centers. Nevada Health Authority Director Stacie Weeks stated that the state is working quickly to relocate the children to other facilities by early next week. She also highlighted that the allocated funds will be used to hire temporary management teams to ensure the children receive the necessary treatment and medications while their records are reviewed.
In addition to the troubling conditions at the facilities, public comments during a recent legislative meeting painted a grim picture of life inside the Moriah homes. Parents and neighbors described mistreatment, mismanagement, and abuse. One parent, Shailee Kimenker, shared her experience of removing her daughter from a Moriah facility after noticing signs of physical punishment, emotional abuse, and inadequate care. Neighbors reported constant police activity and disruptive behavior outside the homes, further illustrating the facility’s failure to provide a safe environment.
The Nevada Health Authority has faced considerable hurdles in its attempts to regulate the facilities. Following a lawsuit filed by Moriah in early November, state regulators were barred from entering the properties to conduct their investigations. Moriah’s attorneys have contested the state’s authority, claiming that the investigation was an overreach.
Despite these legal challenges, the state is moving forward with plans to introduce more stringent regulations for mental health facilities in Nevada. Director Weeks suggested that the Nevada Legislature could consider additional oversight measures, such as a mandatory census of all children in residential treatment facilities, during the 2027 session. These steps are seen as essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of children in state-regulated care.
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