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“Do you really think a judge is going to believe a bunch of juvenile delinquents over a corrections officer?”
That’s what one staff member allegedly told youth at the Delaware County Juvenile Justice Center, which was being abruptly emptied over the weekend after the county’s public defender sent a letter warning the county of what it said were credible and horrific claims of physical, psychological and sexual abuse.
The most startling of those claims include ignoring an active suicide attempt, forcing a child to drink from a toilet and slamming a teen’s head into a window so hard it cracked the glass. Other reports included staff restraining a pregnant teen in a manner meant to induce miscarriage and locking kids in isolation for days or weeks on end — and then covering it all up by threatening teens and pressuring staff to stay silent.
Delaware County Council President Brian Zidek and District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer confirmed that Delaware County President Judge Kevin Kelly had ordered all children housed at the Lima center to be transferred immediately. Stollsteimer said the population had been low, and just four children remained there as of Saturday morning.
A spokesperson said the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is committed to a comprehensive investigation of the allegations.
“Regional staff from the Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) were on site immediately after receiving the letter on Friday night for initial interviews with youth and staff,” the spokesperson said, adding that the investigation will include a review of all reports made to ChildLine and law enforcement, and interviews with staff and former residents. “At this time, no licensing action has been taken but may be pursued through the investigation.”
Pa. judge empties juvenile justice center following allegations of rampant abuse
That’s what one staff member allegedly told youth at the Delaware County Juvenile Justice Center, which was being abruptly emptied over the weekend after the county’s public defender sent a letter warning the county of what it said were credible and horrific claims of physical, psychological and sexual abuse.
The most startling of those claims include ignoring an active suicide attempt, forcing a child to drink from a toilet and slamming a teen’s head into a window so hard it cracked the glass. Other reports included staff restraining a pregnant teen in a manner meant to induce miscarriage and locking kids in isolation for days or weeks on end — and then covering it all up by threatening teens and pressuring staff to stay silent.
Delaware County Council President Brian Zidek and District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer confirmed that Delaware County President Judge Kevin Kelly had ordered all children housed at the Lima center to be transferred immediately. Stollsteimer said the population had been low, and just four children remained there as of Saturday morning.
A spokesperson said the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services is committed to a comprehensive investigation of the allegations.
“Regional staff from the Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) were on site immediately after receiving the letter on Friday night for initial interviews with youth and staff,” the spokesperson said, adding that the investigation will include a review of all reports made to ChildLine and law enforcement, and interviews with staff and former residents. “At this time, no licensing action has been taken but may be pursued through the investigation.”
Pa. judge empties juvenile justice center following allegations of rampant abuse
