Latest news with #DepartmentofJuvenileServices
CBS News
6 days ago
- CBS News
Teen charged as adult after fight among minors, gunfire outside Baltimore County store
A 16-year-old is being charged as an adult after a fight among minors led to gunshots being fired outside of a Baltimore County Walmart, according to police. The teen is being charged with attempted murder, assault and gun violations, police said. Seven minors were detained after the fight and reported gunfire in the 100 block of Carroll Island in Essex on Wednesday, July 16. They ranged in age from 11 to 15, according to police. Two of the juveniles sustained minor injuries during the altercation, though it's unclear if the injuries were from a bullet or debris, police said. Officers said it was an isolated incident and no other injuries were reported. The arrest comes as Maryland sees an uptick in juvenile crime cases, according to data from the state Department of Juvenile Services (DJS). A report released by the department in May shows a 14% increase in juvenile crime cases during the first six months of the year compared to the same six-month period from 2024. Maryland leaders have been working to address juvenile crime, especially in cases where a suspect is on ankle monitoring. Earlier in July, the DJS changed the guidelines for young people who are arrested for serious crimes while on ankle monitors. Under the new guidelines, minors will be detained until their next court date. The policy went into effect on July 3. "Electronic monitoring is a really important tool in the continuum to support young people, but we have to make sure we're using it appropriately and in the right circumstances," said Acting DJS Secretary Betsy Fox Tolentino.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Juvenile Services announces improvements to electronic monitoring policies
The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services announced changes to their electronic monitoring policies. The changes will reflect a more proactive agency role. READ MORE:
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Yahoo
Juvenile Services announces improvements to electronic monitoring policies
The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services announced changes to their electronic monitoring policies. The changes will reflect a more proactive agency role. READ MORE:
CBS News
30-06-2025
- CBS News
New Maryland DJS leader talks about critics, challenges with repeat juvenile offenders
Violent incidents have placed a spotlight on juvenile crime in Maryland, including a recent carjacking and a kidnapping by young, repeat offenders on GPS monitoring. Betsy Fox Tolentino, the new leader of Maryland's embattled Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), spoke with WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren as she takes over an agency that has been a lightning rod for critics. "We don't want people to feel unsafe," Tolentino said. "We want people to feel that they are safe in their communities and confident that the department is doing what it can do to support our young people." Tolentino is no stranger to the DJS she now leads. Tolentino worked there for more than a decade and rose to deputy secretary. She also previously worked with the Roca program, an intense anti-violence initiative targeting Baltimore's youth. Hellgren asked her why she believes DJS faces criticism. "I think because we're working with young people, and we all really care about our young people," Tolentino said. "We want to make sure we're getting it right. And when it feels like we're not getting it right, people want to know why. What can we do differently? How can we approach this problem in a different way to build solutions that get us that lasting, sustainable behavior change that we want to see for our young people?" Young repeat offenders Recent cases include a 14-year-old who police say went on a crime spree in Northeast Baltimore last week, carjacking someone and robbing a delivery driver at gunpoint. A 15-year-old allegedly robbed and kidnapped a 12-year-old on his way to school in East Baltimore at gunpoint last month. Both were on electronic monitoring, drawing frustration in the community. "Electronic monitoring is a really important tool in the continuum to support young people, but we have to make sure we're using it appropriately and in the right circumstances," Tolentino said. "So that means we're doing a really good evaluation, making recommendations for monitoring when it fits the situation. And with any tool, it's only as good as your operations around it." Tolentino added, "So, we want to make sure our operations and our frontline staff who are showing up every day for our young people have what they need to ensure they are able to support young people when they are in the community on monitoring." Monday morning, Anne Arundel County police reported a 15- and a 17-year-old crashed a stolen Hyundai in Glen Burnie. Police also reported that a 17-year-old girl sprayed a man with mace and robbed him at a Pasadena convenience store. "By looking at those cases, we're going to be able to evaluate what we could have done differently to support that young person and support the community," Tolentino said. "So, maybe we have to ensure there are some other strategies we use. Maybe we got it wrong." Tolentino continued, "Maybe we can develop different sorts of strategies over time that can help that young person, but we're going to dig very deeply into that population and see what we do need to do differently — and that means using all our tools — whether it's additional monitoring, additional supervision, additional behavior change strategies and using our highest-level interventions in receiving treatment in a residential facility." Criticism of predecessor Critics said juvenile offenders do not fear consequences and lashed out at Tolentino's predecessor, Vincent Schiraldi. "He has been a colossal failure," said Frederick County Republican Senator William Folden. "He should never have been in that position, and for the governor to put him in that position and leave him in there for as long as he did, at least there's change coming," Tolentino said she is not concerned about the upcoming confirmation process. "I'm here to do a job, ensure our operations are aligned with Maryland law, our frontline staff have what they need, our kids are getting what they need," Tolentino said. "I invite all the questions. I want to have the discussions. And I hope that when we get to that time, I have a lot of confidence from many of our members of the General Assembly, so that I can continue to carry on the work here." Tolentino, a former public defender, is meeting with prosecutors to see what they need. "My message is, call me," Tolentino said. "Let's have conversations. Let's sit down and talk. I really want to understand how law enforcement, how state's attorneys, and other justice system partners are really experiencing the system." Asked whether she sees things that need immediate fixing within DJS, Tolentino said, "What I bring to the agency is this renewed focus on our day-to-day operations—ensuring that at the front door of our system when law enforcement brings a young person to our attention, that our decision making is aligned with Maryland law and designed to get young people what they need—and also that we are in the position to support public safety."
CBS News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Federal lawsuit adds to allegations of child sexual abuse in Maryland youth detention centers
A federal lawsuit could open a new chapter in an escalating legal battle in Maryland, where officials are struggling to address an unexpected onslaught of claims alleging child sexual abuse in state-run juvenile detention facilities. With thousands of similar claims already pending in state court, the litigation has raised questions about how Maryland will handle the potential financial liability. New lawsuit seeks $300 million The new federal suit, filed Wednesday on behalf of three plaintiffs, seeks $300 million in damages — an amount that far exceeds caps imposed on claims filed in state court. It alleges Maryland juvenile justice leaders knew about a culture of abuse inside youth detention facilities and failed to address it, violating the plaintiffs' civil rights. A message seeking comment was left Thursday with the state's Department of Juvenile Services. The department generally doesn't comment on pending litigation. The Maryland Office of the Attorney General declined to comment. Officials: Potential $3 billion liability An estimated 11,000 plaintiffs have sued in state court, according to the attorneys involved. Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson said Wednesday that he believes negotiations for a potential settlement are ongoing between attorneys for the plaintiffs and the attorney general's office. Officials have said the state is facing a potential liability between $3 billion and $4 billion. Budgetary concerns over abuse allegations Lawsuits started pouring in after a state law passed in 2023 eliminated the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims in Maryland. The change came in the immediate aftermath of a scathing investigative report that revealed widespread abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. It prompted the archdiocese to file for bankruptcy to protect its assets. But Maryland leaders didn't anticipate they'd be facing similar budgetary concerns because of claims against the state's juvenile justice system. Facing a potentially enormous payout, lawmakers recently passed an amendment to limit future liabilities. The new law reduces caps on settlements from $890,000 to $400,000 for cases filed after May 31 against state institutions, and from $1.5 million to $700,000 for private institutions. It allows each claimant to receive only one payment, instead of being able to collect for each act of abuse. Suing in federal court allows plaintiffs to sidestep those limits. "Despite Maryland's recent unconstitutional legislative efforts to insulate itself from liability for the horrific sexual brutalization of children in its custody, Maryland cannot run from liability under Federal law," plaintiffs' attorney Corey Stern said in a statement. "The United States Constitution was created for all of us, knowing that some would need protection from the tyranny of their political leaders." What the lawsuits claim The three plaintiffs in the federal case allege they were sexually abused by staff at two juvenile detention centers. While other lawsuits have mainly presented allegations of abuse occurring decades ago, the federal complaint focuses on events alleged to have happened in 2019 and 2020. The plaintiffs were 14 and 15 years old. The victims feared their sentences would be extended if they spoke out, according to the complaint. They accuse state officials of turning a blind eye to a "culture of sexual brutalization and abuse." Stern said he anticipates more federal claims will be forthcoming.
