A 17-year-old woman succumbed to her accidents after workers at a Tennessee group house “physique slammed” and later “assaulted” her after she allegedly refused to undress within the presence of two male counselors, Civil rights legal professional Ben Crump stated at a information convention.
Per NBC Information, the November 16 incident, which occurred at Youth Villages, resulted in Alegend Jones being admitted to a hospital. Jones, who was staying within the group house, later succumbed to her accidents.
Crump stated the incident occurred after two male counselors on the facility took the teenager to the well being division for an examination. Crump stated Jones was then allegedly requested to take off her garments, however she declined to try this in entrance of the male counselors.
The legal professional stated Jones was then “physique slammed” by the 2 counselors, including that although the well being division’s medical workers subsequently contacted police, Jones was returned to the group house.
Crump additionally claimed that “over a dozen counselors at Youth Village assaulted and battered this teenage youngster” after she was taken again to the ability. Jones’ mom, Shona Garner-White, additionally spoke on the information convention.
She stated she despatched her daughter to Youth Villages as she had psychological well being points. She additionally stated her daughter was recognized with post-traumatic stress dysfunction, manic melancholy, and bipolar dysfunction on the age of 14, NBC Information reported.
“I despatched her to Youth Village to get assist and now they’re sending my child again in a casket,” Garner-White stated.
Responding to the allegations in an announcement, Youth Villages claimed that “lots of the statements and feedback circulating publicly about this incident are false and inaccurate.”
“When the kid exhibited signs of a medical emergency, our workers instantly responded following our protocols for emergency medical intervention. Emergency Medical Companies (EMS) was additionally known as and arrived onsite inside minutes,” the ability stated elsewhere within the assertion. “The kid was taken to the hospital the place she later handed away.”
The ability additionally claimed there have been “no abusive or in any other case inappropriate interactions directed towards” Jones. “The younger individual was dropped at the well being division by two feminine workers and was by no means alone with male workers or requested to undress in entrance of male workers,” Youth Villages claimed.
An investigation into the incident has since been launched by the Bartlett Police Division and the Tennessee Division of Youngsters’s Companies.
“We’re working intently with all related public security and well being authorities in response to this incident and are awaiting the official medical reviews,” Youth Villages stated within the assertion. “We’re additionally totally cooperating with the official investigations.”
In an announcement, Crump described the small print surrounding Jones’ demise as “stunning.” “No household ought to should endure the ache of dropping a toddler below such horrific circumstances,” the legal professional stated.
Crump additionally stated they’re demanding a “thorough and neutral investigation into the occasions that led to Alegend’s tragic demise, together with the general public launch of any and all footage from the Youth Villages.”
“Her household deserves solutions and justice, and we are going to proceed to work on their behalf to make sure that these chargeable for these heinous acts are held accountable,” the assertion added.
“This heartbreaking loss as soon as once more underscores the pressing want for accountability and reform inside our programs that should defend and look after our younger folks – younger folks like Alegend Jones.”
