In a heartbreaking incident that has shaken the medical community and ignited public outcry, 12-year-old Sarah Niyimbona died by suicide on April 13, 2025, after slipping out of her room at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital in Spokane, Washington. Her death has led to the termination of fifteen nurses and disciplinary action against another, raising serious questions about hospital oversight, patient safety, and accountability.
### A Shining Light Lost
Sarah Niyimbona was described by loved ones as a kind-hearted, outspoken middle schooler who had struggled with mental health challenges. She had been admitted to the hospital multiple times in 2024 for suicide attempts and was receiving intermittent psychiatric care over an eight-month period. At the time of her death, she was housed in the hospital’s general pediatrics unit—rather than a dedicated psychiatric facility—due to the recent closure of the adolescent psychiatric unit.
On the evening of April 13, Sarah left her room unnoticed, walked to the top level of a nearby parking garage, and jumped. She died two hours later in the emergency room.
### ⚠️ Safety Measures Removed
According to a lawsuit filed by Sarah’s family, the hospital had removed critical safety precautions despite her history of self-harm. These included:
– A round-the-clock sitter
– A video monitoring system
– A door alarm
Her mother, Nasra Gertrude, expressed anguish and disbelief:
> “I ask what happened. How come she left the room without anybody seeing her? How come she walked all the way to the elevator without anybody seeing her? They haven’t given me any answer at all. I trusted this hospital to take care of my daughter.”
### Fallout and Firings
In the wake of the tragedy, Providence Sacred Heart fired fifteen nurses and disciplined another. The hospital claims the nurses accessed Sarah’s medical records without being directly involved in her care—a potential violation of HIPAA privacy laws.
However, the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) has pushed back, alleging the terminations were retaliatory. The union argues that the nurses were punished for speaking to the media and raising concerns about the hospital’s psychiatric care system. Grievances have been filed, and the process is expected to be lengthy.
### Systemic Failures
The hospital’s decision to close its adolescent psychiatric unit months before Sarah’s death has come under scrutiny. Staff had warned that repurposing pediatric rooms for psychiatric care—without proper safety features or specialized training—was inadequate.
> “We said this is what was going to happen,” said Kaili Timperley, a former nurse in the psychiatric unit. “You can’t just put these kids in a medical room and expect everything to be OK.”
Sarah’s care was reportedly isolating, with limited therapeutic support and social engagement.
### ️ Remembering Sarah
A GoFundMe campaign launched in her memory described Sarah as “a bright light” who “touched the hearts of everyone she met.” Her 19-year-old sister, Asha Joseph, voiced the family’s confusion and grief:
> “We’re confused how this could happen. We also want to know why there wasn’t anyone there at the moment, why there was nobody watching her and how she was able to leave.”
### ️ Investigations and Reforms
The Washington Department of Health has launched an investigation into the incident and found the hospital out of compliance with safety standards. In response, Providence Sacred Heart submitted a safety plan and implemented new protocols, including:
– Suicide risk screening for all patients
– Procedures for locating missing patients
The health department’s investigation remains ongoing.
This tragedy has sparked a broader conversation about mental health care for children, hospital accountability, and the ethical responsibilities of medical professionals. Sarah’s story is a painful reminder of the urgent need for compassionate, vigilant, and well-resourced psychiatric care.