In unrelated incidents the director was arrested for a boy a good time and
the ranch burned. The employees closed the program and created a new one closeby named Birdseye RTC to sheild themselves from bad press.
Arrest:The boy stuffed her like a Christmas Turkey.
Police: Former director of Birdseye Boys Ranch reportedly abused teen resident
UTAH COUNTY -- The former director of a Utah County all-male residential treatment center has been booked on charges of sexual abuse after reportedly assaulting a 15-year-old resident, police said Monday.
On April 16, detectives with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit, received a report from the Division of Child and Family services that a teen at Birdseye Boys Ranch had been sexually abused by Teresa Cope.
Birdseye Boys Ranch is an adolescent residential treatment program for sexual behavioral problems and pornography addiction, according to the program's website.
Cope, 34, of Springville, was the director of the facility when most of the abuse occurred, according to a press release from Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim told detectives the abuse occurred at the treatment center, two other locations in Utah County as well as in Washington County, according to the press release.
On April 23, detectives executed a search warrant on Cope’s home where they collected evidence that supported the victim's claims of sexual abuse, police said.
Cope was arrested the same day and booked into Utah County Jail on charges of unlawful custodial sexual relations, a second-degree felony; sexual activity with a minor, a third-degree felony; and sexual abuse of a minor, a class A misdemeanor.
Bail was set at $10,000 cash only.
Cope posted bail and was released April 25.
Charges may also be filed in Washington County.
Police say there is no information to indicate that Cope may have victimized other young men.
This remains an active investigation, police said.
Woman accused of sexually abusing teen boy may take plea deal
PROVO -- A woman accused of sexually abusing a teenage boy while she was the director of Birdseye Boys Ranch may take a plea deal in the case.
Teresa Cope, 34, has been charged with five counts of custodial sexual relations with a youth receiving state services -- three counts are second-degree felonies, and two counts are third-degree felonies.
During a court hearing Wednesday morning, Cope waived her right to a preliminary hearing and an entry of plea hearing was scheduled. It is likely Cope will take some sort of plea deal during her next hearing, but it is still possible the case could be set for trial without having a preliminary hearing.
The charges stem from allegations Cope had a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy while she was the director of the ranch, located in Spanish Fork Canyon. The alleged relationship happened in April and May of 2013, but the allegations of abuse weren't made until April 2014.
Cope was arrested April 23 after detectives with the Utah County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit and the Utah County Special Victims Task Force received a report from the Division of Child and Family Services regarding the allegations of abuse.
The teen told detectives the abuse occurred at the ranch, two other locations in Utah County and in Washington County. Sheriff's officials executed a search warrant at Cope's home in Springville and collected evidence of sexual abuse by Cope that supported the information given to them by the teen.
Detectives said they don't believe there are any more victims, but have shared their information with Washington County investigators. According to court records no charges have been filed in Washington County.
Cope will be in court again July 30.
The fire:Flames destroy former boys ranch in Utah County
BIRDSEYE, Utah – Fire crews have contained the flames at the former Boys Ranch near State Rd. 89 and mile marker 302.
Firefighters were called to the blaze at about midnight after a driver saw the fire.
Officials said the driver had to go several miles to get cell phone service to call 911.
The building was engulfed in flames by the time crews arrived.
They had to bring in water trucks because there are no hydrants in the area.
Authorities said the building was undergoing a remodel and was unoccupied.
Fire officials are investigating to find out what sparked the blaze.
