Opinion ID: 2499448
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: ¶ 1 This case presents a certified question of law from the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Dillon Whitney's mother filed a wrongful death suit against the State of Utah after Dillon died while in state custody. The State filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that it was exempt from suit under the incarceration exception to the Governmental Immunity Act of Utah. The federal district court denied the motion and the State appealed. The appeals court certified to us the following question of state law: Is a juvenile delinquent placed in a community-based proctor home incarcerated in a place of legal confinement, such that Utah has not waived its state sovereign immunity for injuries arising out of, in connection with, or resulting from his placement, pursuant to the Governmental Immunity Act of Utah, Utah Code § 63G-7-301(5)(j)? ¶ 2 We conclude that a juvenile who is placed in an unsecured community-based proctor home is not incarcerated in a place of legal confinement. Accordingly, the incarceration exception to the State's waiver of its sovereign immunity does not apply and the State remains potentially liable for damages related to Dillon Whitney's death.