Latest news with #juveniledetention
CBS News
05-07-2025
- CBS News
Detroit Juvenile Detention Center employee accused of supplying teens with marijuana gummies
A Detroit Juvenile Detention Center employee is accused of giving four 17-year-old boys housed at the center marijuana gummies. Joseph Robinson, 22, of Detroit, is charged with four counts of furnishing a controlled substance (marijuana) to minors and four counts of furnishing contraband to prisoners. Wayne County prosecutors allege that Robinson, while working as a mentor at the facility on Wednesday night, gave gummies to the teens. Fellow employees allegedly noticed the four boys as being "lethargic, incoherent and in an impaired mental state," prosecutors say, and brought them to an area hospital. The teens were released later the same day. Robinson was arrested on Thursday after an investigation by detention center officials. "There is simply no excuse for the defendant's alleged behavior. It is especially reprehensible because the defendant was supposed to be a mentor to the young men housed at the JDF — and not a catalyst for criminal conduct. The result of his actions was the exact opposite of what this volunteer program was designed to be about," said Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy in a statement. Robinson is expected to be arraigned Saturday.
Washington Post
01-07-2025
- Washington Post
Former guard convicted of sexual abuse at D.C. youth detention facility
A former guard at the District's juvenile detention center was convicted Tuesday of sexually abusing a teenage girl who was confined to the facility. Following about two weeks of trial testimony, a D.C. Superior Court jury found Kelvin Powell, 63, guilty of all 16 charges against him, including multiple counts of first-degree sexual abuse of the victim, who was 17 at the time. The panel deliberated for less than five hours before issuing the verdicts.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Grand Forks County to receive more from state for juvenile detention services
Jun. 30—GRAND FORKS — The Grand Forks County Commission approved a new contract with the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for use of county juvenile detention facilities during a special meeting Monday. The commission unanimously approved the new contract. Although the commission has its first regular meeting of July on Tuesday, the contract needed to be signed before July 1, when it takes effect. The contract also coincides with the state's new biennium, the start of a new fiscal cycle, which also begins July 1. Regional Youth Assessment Center Administrator Robin Spain told commissioners that this new contract will increase the per diem rate the county collects from DOCR. For the next two years, the county will receive $375 a day per person the county is hosting on behalf of DOCR. DOCR will also reimburse the county for medical expenses. Previously, the state paid the county $260 per day per individual for use of the county's facility. The contract will not automatically renew when it expires in June 2027, but can be extended for up to six months past the expiration or renewed on a quarterly basis after the initial term. The increase matches increases to what the county charges others for use of the youth assessment center. In May, the commission approved increasing rates from $225 per diem to $350 per diem. At that time, the commission also gave Spain approval to sign those amended contracts without needing to come to the commission. Typically, the commission approves all contracts with the county, but can delegate that authority in some circumstances.
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.
The Independent
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
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. 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. Messages seeking comment were left Thursday with the state's Department of Juvenile Services and the Maryland Office of the Attorney General. The department generally doesn't comment on pending litigation. 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. 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.' 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.
