On January 10, 2016, 16 year old Gynnya McMillen arrived at Lincoln Village Juvenile Detention Center in Kentucky.
On January 11, 2016, at 9:55 a.m., she was found dead in her cell.
Although her cause of death is not yet known, there are many alarming events that occurred between McMillen's arrival at the detention center and when she was found non responsive. Upon her arrival, McMillen was put into a "Aikido restraint" for refusing to remove her sweatshirt during booking procedures. The use of a martial arts move has raised eyebrows of professionals, as it is not typically used in a juvenile corrections setting. The circumstances are also cause for concern, as it is only considered appropriate to use immediate physical force when there's a risk of physical danger to themselves or others. Her passive resistance does not constitute restraint.
The detention center also requires staff to check in on youth in isolation every 15 minutes. A staff member has been placed on paid administrative leave for failing to do so. McMillen did not respond when staff came in to inform her that she had a phone call and she missed breakfast, both which should have been reason for concern.
When McMillen was discovered, staff waited 9 minutes before calling 911. It took them 2 more minutes to begin CPR.
There is no reason that a healthy 16 year old should pass away during their stay at a juvenile detention facility. Even if the martial arts hold preformed on her did not contribute to her death, the facility failed to monitor her safety. If they have followed protocol and checked in every 15 minutes, maybe they could have intervened and saved her life. Even when she was discovered unconscious, there was a clear lack of urgency on the part of the staff.
Is lack of training to blame, or do we need to take a deeper look at deliberate unethical treatment of justice-involved youth?
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/audio-cpr-started-11-minutes-after-staff-found-gynnya-mcmillen/
This is a sad story of a youth who died because of a fault in the system. In my opinion, the details that are described seem to be unethical and neglectful and there should definitely be an investigation. Death in a detention center should not happen (apart from uncontrollable health complications that may spontaneously but rarely occur). I had not heard this story before you posted it and I'm sad to learn of another news story like this happening.
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of this story prior, but it is unfortunate to hear of another juvenile losing their life due to a failing system. There are so many things wrong with this story. One the force that was used just because she refused to remove her sweat shirt seems unethical. Secondly, she was suppose to be checked on every 15 minutes although she was unresponsive when she received a phone call and for breakfast. The staff definitely neglected her which is a leading factor in her death.
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