David Royer and Jessica Gertler
2 days ago
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A federal class action lawsuit filed Wednesday alleges that Tennessee’s juvenile justice system is placing children with disabilities in “prison-like facilities” where they are exposed to violence and abuse.
The lawsuit was filed by the Tennessee Disability Rights Association, Sanford Heisler Sharp, the Youth Law Center and three John Doe and Jane Doe individuals who are currently or formerly in DCS custody.
They argue that children with disabilities are over-represented in the juvenile justice system, but the state fails to provide them with reasonable accommodations or appropriate treatment.
The plaintiffs allege that 17-year-old John Doe 1 was assaulted more than 30 times and left with bruises, 12-year-old John Doe 2 “was transferred between at least five different facilities over a two-year period and experienced worsening mental illness, including auditory hallucinations,” and 15-year-old Jane Doe 1 “was shackled by facility staff, dragged across the floor, placed in solitary confinement, and on another occasion, pepper sprayed by staff while naked in her cell.”
John Doe 1 was at the Wilder Youth Development Center in Fayette County, the same place where WREG investigators reported many of the problems.
John Doe 2 was held at the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center in 2022, but the lawsuit claims he was not adequately evaluated, did not receive mental health treatment and was only able to attend school for 1.5 hours each day.
WREG reached out to DCS and other state agencies for statements. A DCS representative said the agency is aware of the lawsuit but had no further comment.
The complaints are as follows: