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Sam Penrod ReportingThe Maximum Life Skills Academy in Cedar City was a murder scene last week. Today state officials pulled the home's license, claiming an investigation reveals numerous violations.
The most serious allegation is that the night of the beating the only adult in the home was the victim himself. State law requires two adults at all times. Licensing officials say the problems don't end there.
It was in the home that 31-year old Anson Arnett was severely beaten with a baseball bat. He died the next day. Police accuse two 17-year old boys who lived in the home of the attack. They were later arrested in Las Vegas and charged with capital murder.
Today the Department of Human Services says besides only having one supervisor on duty the night of the beating, the group home failed to conduct criminal background checks on five employees who worked with the trouble teens. And they never obtained an agreement with Delaware to accept a student from that state.
Maximum Life Skills is a private facility--but still has to meet state requirements.
Carol Sisco, Utah Dept. of Human Services: "These are not kids who have been through the court system, this is like the wilderness camps where parents get to the point where they can’t handle the kids and say they need treatment."
Police are still investigating the murder and state licensing investigators say they will look for other possible violations. For now, the four boys in the home will be allowed to remain, but the home cannot accept any new students. The group home has two weeks to appeal having its license revoked.
