Katey just sent this article in the newspaper in Provo regarding an update on the kid from Heritage that assaulted Keegan a few months back. That final sentence hit me in the stomach , and I am once again counting our blessings for life's little miracles. Certainly there was someone watching over my son-in-law that night. It is just a reminder to us all that life is fragile and precious, and that we need to live each day with gratitude and thanksgiving.:

Teen sentenced to prison for assault on counselor

Jeremy Duda - DAILY HERALD

A troubled 17-year-old will serve prison time for his assault on a counselor from a treatment facility he fled. Prosecutors had agreed not to seek prison time for Jerry Gale, but a report from the diagnostic unit of the Utah State Prison, where Gale underwent an evaluation, recommended that he serve a prison sentence. At a hearing on Tuesday, 4th District Judge Steven Hansen followed that recommendation, sentencing Gale to 1-15 years behind bars. Hansen ordered a diagnostic evaluation for Gale after defense attorney Keith Eddington said his behavior was caused by years of severe abuse by the teen's father. The resulting report said that Gale had mostly "shut down" after getting to the diagnostic unit and that he showed a great deal of immaturity in his treatment program. Before handing down his sentence, Hansen read portions of the report that said Gale is not receptive to critical feedback, sought thrills in behaving dangerously, and minimized his involvement in the crimes he was charged with. "I don't know what to do with a 17-year-old in terms of prison. I don't think they know what to do with him. I don't think they even have a program for 17-year-olds in prison," Hansen said. Hansen said Gale was a danger to the community, but that he wasn't afraid of prison. Considering the extent of the abuse Gale has suffered, Eddington agreed. "[Gale] said, 'What can they do that hasn't already been done to me?'" Eddington said. "The judge is right. He isn't afraid of prison." Larson said he hoped the diagnostic evaluation would give more insight into what kind of treatment might benefit Gale if probation had been granted instead of prison. Eddington said the program Gale took part in at the diagnostic unit was tailored for perpetrators, not victims, of abuse, which is why he shut down and withdrew when he got to the unit. Eddington questioned whether Gale would be able to get sufficient treatment in prison. "I don't think the state has that kind of treatment," Eddington said. Gale pleaded guilty in March to aggravated assault, theft and two counts of burglary. He was charged after leaving the Heritage School, a treatment facility for at-risk adolescents, and assaulting a counselor who attempted to bring him and a friend back to the facility. Larson said Gale pointed a gun at the counselor and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire.