Director of group home where 16-year-old escaped and was killed by police charged by Utah AG
SANDY, Utah () — In November 2023, a 16-year-old with a disability was after stealing a vehicle and striking a motorcyclist. Documents and search warrants revealed that his escape from a group home was not due to an accident, but rather alleged neglect by his caretakers.
Hanan Obied, 25, has been charged with two felony counts of abuse or neglect of a child with a disability, four felony counts of tampering with a witness, one misdemeanor count of tampering with evidence, and one misdemeanor count of obstruction of justice.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Sandy Police release bodycam of shooting involving officers
According to an indictment filed by attorneys for the Utah Attorney General's Office, Obied was a director for Future Rising Agency, LLC. The 16-year-old was placed in the custody and care of the agency and moved to the group home managed by Obied. He had previously escaped a different group home on Oct. 31, 2023. Documents say that Obied failed to put safety measures in place to prevent him from leaving.
A search warrant from the Sandy City Police Department that was unsealed earlier this year revealed that the 16-year-old's Person Centered Support Plan (PCSP) from the Utah Division of Services for People with Disabilities had 'a number of security/safety recommendations for Future Rising to follow, which included having 'locks and alarms on all doors and windows' and being supervised '24/7.''
The 16-year-old had a history of eloping, according to police, and a juvenile-court judge had ordered these safety measures to be put in place at the home. Documents say that Obied 'made assurances to the judge that additional safety measures would be put in place prior to Future Rising taking custody.'
A walkthrough by the minor's support coordinator revealed that the residence in Bluffdale did not have alarms or locks installed on Nov. 8, 2023, the day he moved in. The support coordinator told police that she was told alarms and locks would be installed the following day. She reminded the caretakers that he needed to be watched closely until those locks and alarms were installed.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 16-year-old killed in Sandy officer-involved shooting
According to police, in the early morning hours of the following day, Nov. 9, 2023, the 16-year-old eloped from the house. He would steal a vehicle in Bluffdale and then go on to steal a minivan from an army recruitment office in Sandy. Police responded and found the first stolen crashed in Sandy around 6:17 a.m.
The 16-year-old would then be located by police in the stolen minivan around 12:24 p.m. and strike a motorcyclist while fleeing from Sandy officers. Police fired at the 16-year-old, and he received a gunshot wound that would lead to his death. The search warrant from Sandy police states that he was declared dead at 1:42 p.m. at the hospital.
According to Sandy officers, the 16-year-old was not noticed to be missing until 11 a.m. on Nov. 9. A staff member arrived and noticed he was not there. When she reported it to her directors, they told her not to tell anybody until they had investigated what happened. Around 5 p.m., the staff member was told to call the Bluffdale Police Department and tell them he had run away from the West Jordan Library around 2 p.m.
According to charging documents, the 16-year-old's PCSP stated that if he were to elope, the police should immediately be contacted. Obied did not contact the police when she found out he was missing, and instead allegedly lied to the teen's support coordinator and parents about his location, saying he was last seen at the library at 2 p.m. She also lied to them that she had already notified the police.
Man shot and killed by Salt Lake City Police during response to domestic violence call
After the 16-year-old's parents were notified of his death, Obied continued to tell them that he had run away from the library and she had notified police.
Extensive communication between different employees of Future Rising Agency, shared in documents, reveals that they worked together to cover up the truth of how the 16-year-old escaped the home. In an 'impromptu' meeting at 1 a.m. on Nov. 10, 2023, Obied instructed her colleagues and employees to delete all messages and communications they had regarding the 16-year-old's escape from the group home.
The employee who had discovered the 16-year-old was missing and contacted the directors deleted her messages during this meeting, but had already screenshotted evidence and shared it with her son. She would later share these messages with the support coordinator's business partner.
Alzheimer's Association Utah providing resources, research, and real support for families
Plexaderm: Smoother skin in 10 minutes, no needles required
Man charged with alleged sexual abuse of human trafficking victim in Duchesne County
Sun cloud mix with a few spotty afternoon showers possible
TRAFFIC ALERT: Southbound I-15 closed near Payson after deadly crash
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Monea teen 'honoured' to be shortlisted for an award
The Impartial Reporter Community Champion Awards in association with Encirc are only one month away! As part of our countdown to the big event, The Impartial Reporter is highlighting some of those who have been shortlisted for awards. In this year's Youth Community Champion category, Jack McCubbin has been shortlisted. Jack's nomination came from the public, and the person who nominated him said: 'Jack, a 15-year-old from Monea, has proven himself a remarkable young advocate and a true Community Champion. 'Deeply concerned about the state of road safety in Fermanagh, Jack took it upon himself to research, prepare, and deliver a powerful presentation to the Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP), highlighting critical issues such as dangerous road junctions, the Fatal Five causes of road traffic collisions, and the safety of school transport.' The nomination continued: 'His work was so compelling that it drew the attention of Chief Inspector Graham Dodds, Head of Roads Policing, and received high praise from PCSP Chairman Councillor Roy Crawford, who described Jack as a role model and a strong voice for both young people and adults.' Reacting to his nomination, Jack said: 'Recently, I was checking my emails, and was pleasantly surprised to find one stating I had been shortlisted for an award. 'At first I thought it was a scam until I saw who sent it.' He said: 'I am very honoured to have been shortlisted for the "Youth Community Champion Award". I will always emphasise this, however, no matter what award I win, I am not doing this for me, I am doing it for you, your family and your friends. 'Across Northern Ireland, people are still dying on our roads. Without educating and engaging with people about Road safety, people will continue to die on our roads; we all have one simple mission, zero road deaths in Northern Ireland.' Road safety is still a key message for Jack and he noted that he wished to thank all of those who are supporting him on his mission to raise more awareness on the issue. Jack is one of a number of young people who have been shortlisted in the Youth Community Champion awards sponsored by Mannok. The other finalists are: Astrid Knox and Rhea Donnell who are joined by Aminah El Azzabi on the shortlist. Dara O'Reilly, Mannok CEO said:'Mannok is delighted to support the Impartial Reporter Community Awards. Our local community is at the heart of everything we do, and it's a privilege to be part of an event that celebrates individuals and groups making a meaningful difference. These awards provide an ideal platform to recognise such remarkable contributions, which align perfectly with Mannok's core values and ethos. 'We are especially proud to sponsor the Youth Community Champion of the Year Award. Mannok is deeply committed to supporting young people in our area through dedicated, wide-ranging school programmes, and we greatly value the positive role they play in shaping our community. It is essential that our youths' achievements and dedication are recognised in this way.' This year the community champion awards are sponsored by Encirc, Belmore Court & Motel, Belmore Dental Implant & Facial Clinic, Mannok, Mental Wealth International and Pilgrim's Europe. The awards will take place on September 11, 2025 at the Killyhevlin Hotel. Tickets are on sale now, via
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Utah Attorney General joins 23andMe lawsuit objecting sale of private genetic data
Related video: 'Utah experts weigh in on sensitivity of DNA data after 23andMe files for bankruptcy' SALT LAKE CITY () — The Utah Attorney General has joined other states in filing a lawsuit that could prevent 23andMe from selling their genetic data following bankruptcy earlier this year. Utah Attorney General Derek Brown has joined a 'bipartisan coalition' of 27 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against 23andMe, according to a press release from the Utah Attorney General's Office. According to the lawsuit, the company has collected Genotype Data from roughly 15 million people. Earlier this year, in March, , and their CEO stepped down. The company went up for sale, causing many about private data that was maintained by the genetic profiling company. The Utah Attorney General's Office recommended that Utahns before the sale. It reminded Utahns of their rights under the Utah Consumer Privacy and the Genetic Information Privacy Acts. How to protect (and delete) your DNA data after 23andMe bankruptcy filing The goal of this lawsuit is to 'prevent the company from selling Utahns' private genetic information to another company without their express consent,' the press release states. The company is reportedly planning to sell the genetic information it gathered through home DNA collection kits. 'Utahns entrusted 23andMe with their most personal genetic information, under the promise of privacy and protection. The company's intent to sell this data to the highest bidder is an egregious betrayal of that trust and will not be tolerated,' Katie Hass, Director of the Utah Division of Consumer Protection, is quoted in the release. 'Every consumer should have the right to decide how this intimate, personal, and unique data is handled going forward.' The lawsuit argues that genetic information is 'immutable,' meaning that if it is 'stolen or misused, it cannot be replaced.' Consumers who have their genetic data used by a company they do not trust have no way to protect themselves or change that information. 'The States respectfully request that the Court (a) enter a declaratory judgment as to the issues set forth… prior to any sale; (b) and enter any further relief to which the Court finds is just,' the lawsuit concludes. The other attorneys general joining the lawsuit are from the following states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Farmington Bay volunteer honored with 'Birder of the Year' nomination after more than 20 years of service Utah Attorney General joins 23andMe lawsuit objecting sale of private genetic data Mountain View Corridor closing to all pass-through traffic for five weeks BMW's new flagship SUV to debut in US Los Angeles-area mayors demand that Trump administration stop stepped-up immigration raids Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Utah woman sentenced after pleading guilty to Medicaid fraud
SALT LAKE CITY () — A Utah woman has been sentenced to serve no more than 15 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to two fraud charges related to Medicaid. Deaun Larson Holdaway, 67, was sentenced in May, according to the Utah Attorney General's Office, for the charges of second-degree felony false claims for medical benefits and third-degree felony public assistance fraud. Here's why a Pleasant Grove splash pad closed shortly after opening Holdaway, along with two other suspects, was reportedly responsible for submitting over 7,700 Medicaid claims between March 2019 and June 2022, through a Medicaid provider identified as a behavioral health company based in Mt. Pleasant, offering substance use disorder treatment. The Utah Attorney General's Office said the claims were for services that were not provided by professionals and were documented fraudulently. The false claims reportedly resulted in over $12.9 million being paid to the Medicaid provider. In a statement, the Utah Attorney General's Office said none of the services would have been paid if the state's Medicaid program had known that the services were provided by unqualified individuals using false records provided by Holdaway and the two other suspects. Julia Reagan shrine pops up at a Salt Lake City pride party 'Protecting the Medicaid program against fraud is critical given the limited resources available to provide care for this needy population,' said Kaye Lynn Wootton, the director of the Medicaid Fraud and Patient Abuse Division. 'When fraudsters cause false claims to be paid by Medicaid, that reduces resources available to provide care to those who desperately need services.' Through their investigation, the Medicaid Fraud Division also found evidence that Holdaway received public assistance benefits, such as SNAP, special payments, financial assistance and medical assistance, by underreporting her employment and income. 'In reality, Holdaway was the third highest paid worker at [the Medicaid provider], receiving compensation of over $1.36 million from January 2019 through August 2022,' the Utah Attorney General's Office said in a press release. Holdaway was originally charged with three counts of second-degree felony false claims for medical benefits and one count of second-degree felony public assistance fraud. Through a plea deal, the court agreed to drop two false claims counts and amend the public assistance fraud charge to a third-degree felony. A restitution hearing for Holdaway has been scheduled for July 21. Pink water at Bear Lake? Here's how this study aims to curb invasive plant species The other suspects identified in the case, Lillian Kaye Simiskey, 41, and Margaret Krisandra Christie, 42, are still awaiting trial. Court records show Simiskey has been charged with second-degree felony pattern of unlawful activity, three counts of second-degree felony false claims for medical benefits, three counts of second-degree felony tax evasion and two counts of third-degree felony failure to render a proper tax return. She is scheduled for a court hearing on Tuesday, June 17. Christie, meanwhile, has been charged with second-degree felony unlawful activity, two counts of second-degree felony false claims for medical benefits and one count of second-degree felony public assistance fraud. A jury trial for Christie is scheduled to begin on Dec. 16, 2025. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. ChatGPT is 'experiencing issues,' OpenAI says: What we know so far Bannon calls for special counsel probe of Musk Utah woman sentenced after pleading guilty to Medicaid fraud Heat persists throughout Utah with above-average highs Proud Boys lawsuit over Jan. 6 faces steep legal odds, high political cost Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
