Toquerville, Utah — A staff member at Kiva Adventure Ranch, a youth treatment facility in Washington County, is charged with first-degree felony aggravated child abuse after investigators say he slapped, punched and kneed a teenage resident inside a dorm room while a second staff member watched from the doorway.
Isaiah Enosa Faausu Tuiasosopo, 33, of St. George, was arrested Sept. 29 and booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility, St. George News reported. The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed the charge that morning. Bail was set at $10,000, and he was released that evening after posting bond.
What investigators allege
The investigation followed an incident reported Sept. 4, according to the arrest affidavit as described by St. George News. After the teen’s intake at the facility, he was in a family room with other residents and made what the affidavit calls an inappropriate joke. Tuiasosopo told him the joke was inappropriate, walked over, pulled the teen to his feet and shoved him toward a dorm room, investigators said.
A second staff member followed them into the room. Inside, investigators allege, Tuiasosopo slapped, punched and kneed the teen, injuring his ribs and upper back. A few minutes later the teen came out appearing physically disheveled, missing a sandal, with his glasses on the ground, according to the affidavit.
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Investigators say the second staff member could be seen standing in the doorway, appearing to watch what was happening inside. When a third staff member approached the doorway, the second employee sent her away, according to the affidavit. St. George News did not report any charge against the second employee.
A forensic exam at the Children’s Justice Center documented deep tissue contusions, St. George News reported. Investigators said the footage and the injuries were consistent with the teen’s account. The affidavit says the charge was elevated to a first-degree felony because the injuries were multiple and were inflicted by the same person during the same incident.
A pattern of calls
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has responded to roughly 500 incidents involving youth treatment centers in the county since January 2020, according to St. George News and FOX 13 News Utah. FOX 13 reported that the sheriff’s office counts four similar facilities in the county.
There was probable cause for that, and he was arrested and booked under those charges at this time.
Sgt. Lucas Alfred, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, to FOX 13 News Utah
Alfred told FOX 13 that responding to calls from the facilities adds a heavy workload for his office, and that the investigation remains active.
Where the system failed
The alleged assault happened inside a facility staffed and paid to provide care, with a second employee present who, investigators say, kept another worker away instead of stopping it. Neither outlet reported any response from Kiva Adventure Ranch; both said the facility had not replied to requests for comment at the time of publication.
What’s next
An initial appearance was scheduled for Oct. 16 in 5th District Court in St. George, according to St. George News. FAN could not find a public report on the outcome of that hearing. Tuiasosopo is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Teens in residential treatment live away from their families and depend on staff, and on state licensors, to keep them safe. When an employee allegedly stands in the doorway instead of stepping in, families are left to learn what happened from an arrest affidavit and a hallway camera. FAN documents these cases as part of its tracking of foster care system problems, including abuse in group homes and treatment centers.
Key facts
- Isaiah Enosa Faausu Tuiasosopo, 33, a staff member at Kiva Adventure Ranch in Toquerville, Utah, is charged with first-degree felony aggravated child abuse.
- He was arrested Sept. 29; bail was set at $10,000 and he posted bond the same evening.
- Investigators allege he slapped, punched and kneed a teen in a dorm room, injuring the teen’s ribs and upper back.
- Footage showed a second staff member watching from the doorway and sending away a third employee, investigators say.
- A Children’s Justice Center exam documented deep tissue contusions.
- The sheriff’s office has responded to roughly 500 incidents at county youth treatment centers since January 2020.
- An initial appearance was set for Oct. 16 in 5th District Court.
Sources
- St. George News — Employee charged with child abuse following alleged assault at Washington County treatment facility (2026-10-01)
- FOX 13 News Utah — Child abuse arrest at southern Utah treatment center raises questions about oversight (2026-10-02)
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