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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A California mother has filed a lawsuit against a Utah boarding school claiming her son was abused while being treated there.
On Wednesday, Jennifer Havlan filed a lawsuit in U-S District Court in Salt Lake City. She said Majestic Ranch employee Sean E. Coombs seriously injured her son
Havlan claims Coombs slammed her son against a wall and table, threw him to the ground and hit him. She also alleges the boy was "repeatedly restrained and placed in handcuffs" during his stay last year.
Majestic Ranch is designed to treat preteens and teens with behavioral and conduct problems.
The program has been investigated several times following abuse allegations. One probe ended when Coombs pleaded guilty last year to an assault charge.
Yesterday, a school official said she had NOT seen the suit. School officials also said their treatment programs have a high rate of satisfaction among clients.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
