On April 13, 2024, Sarah Niyimbona exited her hospital room unnoticed and jumped from the fourth floor of a parking structure. She had been admitted to Providence Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital several times earlier that year for attempted suicides. Despite her known risk for self-harm, several protective measures that were once in place to monitor her -- such as a sitter, room video surveillance, and alarm-equipped doors -- had reportedly been discontinued.

Sarah’s family is demanding answers. Her mother, Nasra Gertrude, expressed outrage and heartbreak, questioning how her daughter could have left her hospital room unnoticed. “How come she walked all the way to the elevator without anybody seeing her?” she asked. “I trusted this hospital to take care of my daughter.”

The girl's older sister, Asha Joseph, also voiced anger and disbelief, saying, “We’re confused how this could happen… why there wasn’t anyone there at the moment.” Their grief and questions have intensified public scrutiny over the hospital's ability to safeguard vulnerable patients.

Hospital staff fired amid privacy dispute

Not long after Sarah’s death, Providence Sacred Heart took internal action. A total of 15 nurses were fired, while another employee was disciplined, for allegedly accessing Sarah’s medical information without being involved in her immediate care. The hospital cited this as a breach of privacy regulations.

The Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA), which represents many of the terminated nurses, challenged these firings. They argue that the terminations were retaliatory -- intended to punish employees who had raised concerns or spoken to the media about the hospital’s handling of Sarah's care.

In a public statement, WSNA confirmed that a grievance had been filed in response. The union believes the hospital’s actions reflect an effort to silence criticism rather than ensure compliance with privacy laws. This labor dispute is still unfolding as investigations continue at the state and hospital levels.

Hospital updates procedures after internal review

Following Sarah’s death, Providence Sacred Heart acknowledged failures and launched an internal investigation to identify where safety protocols broke down. While those findings have not been made public, the hospital has already begun implementing new rules targeted at preventing similar tragedies.

Among the policies now in place are new screenings for suicide risk upon patient intake and revised emergency procedures for quickly locating any patient whose whereabouts are unknown. Hospital officials have stated that these measures are designed to strengthen safeguards for at-risk children in their care.

Providence spokesperson Jen York noted that the hospital reviews employee conduct on a case-by-case basis. “We take appropriate action, including termination of employment, where warranted,” York said, referencing the post-incident decisions about staff discipline.

Health department inquiry still underway

Outside the hospital, the Washington State Department of Health has launched its investigation into the circumstances surrounding Sarah’s death. The agency aims to determine whether Sacred Heart followed all appropriate safety, medical, and legal procedures for a patient showing clear warning signs of suicide risk.

While no public findings have been released as of yet, sources close to the inquiry say it remains active. The state’s conclusions could lead to additional recommendations -- or sanctions -- depending on whether the hospital is found to have broken regulatory guidelines.

Amid the legal proceedings, community members have also expressed ongoing concern for Sarah’s family, who are left without closure. A GoFundMe page organized in her memory described her as a "shining light" who brought warmth and love to those around her.

Lessons to learn from this tragedy

Sarah Niyimbona’s story carries painful lessons about mental health care, institutional responsibility, and patient protection. There are several key takeaways that families and institutions should consider:

1. Do not ignore suicide risk warning signs: Repeated emergency room visits for self-harm behavior should always prompt elevated supervision and care. Without sustained protections, even short lapses in attention may lead to irreversible consequences.

2. Question abrupt changes in care plans: If safety procedures like sitters, monitoring devices, or alarms are removed, families deserve clear explanations. Advocating for a loved one’s safety should be welcomed in any care setting.

3. Care providers must balance privacy with accountability: While hospital staff must respect patient privacy under HIPAA laws, firings should not be used to discourage vocal concerns or whistleblowing. Ultimately, institutions must be transparent about failures to rebuild trust with communities and families.

Why this story matters

Sarah’s case underscores the fragility of mental health systems and highlights how institutional oversight, if lacking, can result in unbearable loss.

Questions surrounding staff retaliation also stress the importance of protecting workers who raise concerns. This story is important because it pushes local health systems to examine how they care for vulnerable patients—and how they respond when they fall short.