Nevada’s Moriah Behavioral Health Licenses Revoked

“A company operating several group homes for children and teens in Las Vegas violated state and federal law by failing to provide proper medical care, while still collecting Medicaid money, according to an April 2 decision and order obtained by the 8 News Now Investigators.

Hearing officer Chad Westom upheld decisions by state regulators to revoke licenses for four psychiatric residential treatment facilities operated by Moriah Behavioral Health, also known as Ignite Teen and Eden Treatment.

The business operated the facilities “without appropriate physician supervision, with ongoing repeat violations, incomplete medical records, and with hazardous and dangerous housing conditions,” Westom concluded.

Nevada Health Authority, which oversees the licensed facilities, issued notices of revocation on Dec. 11 after numerous issues were identified, including a substantiated complaint of child neglect, according to the order.

“The Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance received 36 complaints, from July of 2024 through December of 2025, about potential violations of state and federal law related to the quality and safety of care at the various facilities operated by the licensee,” the order states. “Additionally, the Division was made aware of safety concerns and complaints about the facilities by former staff, parents, and through local media stories.”

The 8 News Now Investigators first uncovered issues in the homes in July of 2025, which led to additional reports after former employees, patients, and families came forward.

Westom based his decision on a two-day hearing which began on March 4, and included testimony from multiple witnesses, according to the order.

“Testimony from the Ignite & Eden Treatment executive, Mr. Menachem Mendel Baron, further demonstrated the company’s overall organizational volatility and a lack of consistent, qualified leadership and staff,” Westom wrote.

The facilities operated without physician supervision from September through December 2025, according to the order. Physician supervision is required by law.

“Mrs. Cynthia Leech, Division Administrator, indicated that when Nevada Medicaid contacted the organization in charge of the psychiatric residential treatment facilities, no one would attest that there were the medical director from September 3, 2025, through December 11, 2025,” the order stated.

Leech testified that the facilities did not provide any records at all when asked by Nevada Medicaid, and additional witnesses testified that state regulators encountered ongoing resistance from staff who repeatedly declined to allow entry or provide documentation needed to verify resident safety, according to the order.

“There was also testimony that there was a fundamental breakdown at the facilities regarding clinical documentation, serious deficiencies with some care plans, and the facilities were not following available care plans but still received Medicaid funds,” Westom wrote.

Representatives from the Legislative Counsel Bureau, which conducted audits, confirmed that the facilities were operating without proper treatment plans, there was a systemic failure in clinical record keeping, a lack of patient safety, and a lack of mandated safe and appropriate treatment.

A state inspection manager noted unsecured cleaning chemicals and other items that could be used for self-harm by the residents and no complaint log, which prevented parents and children from voicing concerns about negative and/or dangerous events and conditions in the homes, according to the order.

Testimony and documentation also revealed medication oversight and staffing gaps, the order detailed.

In December, Nevada lawmakers approved the transfer of nearly $485,000 for emergency help for children who were supposed to be receiving mental health treatment inside the group homes. Westom also upheld the state’s decision to temporarily manage the homes.

The business filed a civil complaint against state agencies on Nov. 3, and claimed inspectors might retaliate.

Ten days before the business filed the complaint, Nevada Medicaid issued a 20-day notice of intent to terminate to each of the Moriah facilities, according to the Nevada Attorney General’s office, which represents the defendants in the complaint, including the Nevada Health Authority, Department of Human Services, and Divisions of Health Care Financing and Policy, Public and Behavioral Health, Child and Family Services, along with leaders and employees at those agencies and Clark County.

Clark County District Court Judge Jennifer Schwartz issued a temporary restraining order on Nov. 5, preventing state inspectors from entering the homes.

State inspectors regained access inside the homes to continue inspections and investigations on Nov. 20, after Schwartz dissolved the temporary restraining order.

On Dec. 10, county workers, with police officers standing by, removed four patients from the home on Dutch Valley Drive on Wednesday afternoon. County workers stood outside the home for hours until they were allowed inside.

While a county spokesperson said the county could not provide information because the matter involved juveniles, Las Vegas Metro police confirmed officers were assisting another agency that had a search warrant.”

“On Dec. 11, a standoff occurred between state workers and staff at a group home for children and teens. Workers from Nevada Health Authority showed up at the house on Bahama Bay Court in the early afternoon but were not allowed inside until a few hours later when Las Vegas Metro police officers arrived. The business and state had both called police for help, according to the department. The revocation notices followed.

In January, a former employee filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against a business. Pamela Gomez, who first shared her story publicly with the 8 News Now Investigators last October, said the business and Baron, its CEO, billed Medicaid for services that were not provided to the patients, put profits over patient and employee safety, and fired and threatened her when she tried to raise alarms. Gomez alleges she witnessed Medicaid fraud while staffing levels and care were below requirements.”

Las Vegas group home operators put children in danger while collecting Medicaid money, order says
[8 News Now 4/8/26 by Vanessa Murphy]

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