In a tragic incident at a children’s hospital in Washington state, a 12-year-old patient committed suicide, leading to the termination of over a dozen nurses and disciplinary action against another. The young girl, Sarah Niyimbona, known for her compassion and outspoken nature, died on April 13 after she managed to leave her room at Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Spokane and jumped from the fourth floor of a parking garage.
Niyimbona had a history of suicide attempts and had been admitted to the emergency room multiple times in 2024. Despite her history of self-harm, the hospital allegedly removed critical safety measures such as a 24-hour sitter, a video monitor, and a door alarm. The family has filed a lawsuit against the hospital, alleging that the hospital failed to adequately supervise her on the night of her death.
Nasra Gertrude, Niyimbona’s mother, expressed her grief and confusion over the incident. She questioned how her daughter was able to leave her room and reach the elevator without being noticed by any hospital staff. She expressed her disappointment with the hospital, stating that she had trusted them to take care of her daughter.
In the aftermath of the incident, fifteen nurses were terminated and another was disciplined. The hospital administration alleges that these nurses improperly accessed Niyimbona’s medical records without being directly involved in her care, which is a potential violation of the federal privacy law, HIPAA.
The Washington State Nurses Association, which represents the terminated nurses, has claimed that the terminations were a form of “retaliation” against those who spoke to the media following Niyimbona’s death. The nurses have filed a grievance, a process that could take a significant amount of time to resolve.
Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital has defended the terminations, stating that they were necessary to protect patient privacy. The hospital has also launched an internal investigation following Niyimbona’s death and has implemented new protocols, including suicide risk screening for all patients and procedures for locating missing patients.
Niyimbona’s family and friends remember her as a “shining light” who touched the hearts of everyone she met. Her sister, Asha Joseph, expressed her confusion and grief over the incident, questioning why there was no one watching her sister at the time of the incident.
The Washington State Department of Health is currently conducting an investigation into Niyimbona’s death.