News Summary
Three former top managers of Wayne County’s juvenile jail have filed a lawsuit against the county, claiming wrongful termination after raising concerns about unsafe housing practices. The managers allege they were forced out for objecting to directives that consolidated juvenile residents, which led to injuries and hospitalization within days. The suit also highlights ongoing safety issues at the facility, including overcrowding and prior incidents of assault. This legal action raises critical questions about the management and safety of the juvenile detention center.
Detroit, Michigan – Three former top managers at Wayne County’s juvenile jail are taking legal action against the county, asserting they were wrongfully terminated for raising concerns about unsafe housing practices. The lawsuit was filed on October 1 in Wayne County Circuit Court, marking a significant dispute regarding operational safety at the facility.
The former managers—Tamika Lofton, the former Director; Anthony Moorman, a former Deputy Director; and Quiotis Fletcher, another former Deputy Director—claim they were forced out following their objections to a supervisor’s directive that allegedly violated safety protocols. This directive involved consolidating juvenile residents, which encompassed housing co-defendants and dangerous offenders alongside nonviolent juveniles, raising serious safety concerns.
According to the lawsuit, within the initial 48 hours post-consolidation, three employees were injured, and multiple juveniles were hospitalized due to physical altercations. Lofton and Moorman were terminated on July 3, while Fletcher resigned under pressure, fearing imminent termination. The plaintiffs assert their dismissals violated the state’s Whistleblower Protection Act, alleging wrongful termination and constructive discharge, particularly since they had received positive evaluations prior to their dismissals.
In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Wayne County Executive Warren Evans has stated that there was “no improper basis” for the separations, emphasizing that the leadership decisions were in line with the county’s interests. The lawsuit also reveals a troubling directive from Mack McGhee, the Division Director of Institutional Care, instructing Fletcher to ignore safety concerns related to the resident consolidation.
In light of the issues following the consolidation, the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) issued a notice demanding the separation of juveniles deemed safety threats. Requests for a copy of the order regarding the directive had yet to be fulfilled by the MDOC at the time of this report. Lofton indicated that the consolidation recommendation originated from a county contractor’s efforts aimed at reducing the facility’s blueprint.
Furthermore, the operational challenges at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility are compounded by chronic overcrowding, understaffing, and various allegations of physical and sexual assaults. Most recently, a federal lawsuit was settled for $2 million regarding the rape of a 12-year-old boy within the facility’s premises, which was alleged to have occurred in 2023. The lawsuit claimed inadequate supervision by county staff who placed the boy with older residents, including one over 18, revealing significant lapses in safety protocols.
The incident involving the young boy reported multiple assaults over several hours, with parts of the events caught on surveillance video; however, the alleged rape was said to have transpired in a non-monitored area. Despite these serious allegations and subsequent investigations by Michigan State Police, prosecutions were declined due to insufficient evidence.
The facility aims to relocate to a new criminal justice complex in the fall of 2024, as concerns persist over the management and operations of the current location. Notably, following the exit of the three managers, an incident occurred where a mentor allegedly smuggled marijuana edibles into the facility, resulting in four youths testing positive for drugs. Although county officials stated that the managers’ terminations were unrelated to this incident, it highlights continued safety issues within the facility.
As this legal battle unfolds, the attention remains on the management practices at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility and the broader implications of the alleged unsafe conditions for both staff and residents.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Detroit Free Press: Wayne County Juvenile Jail Lawsuit
- Wikipedia: Juvenile Detention
- Detroit News: Lawsuit Against Wayne County Juvenile Jail Directors
- Google Search: Wayne County Juvenile Jail
- Detroit Free Press: Wayne County Juvenile Jail Rape Lawsuit Settlement
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Youth Corrections
- CBS News: Mother Files Lawsuit Over Son’s Assault
- Google News: Wayne County Juvenile Facility
Author: STAFF HERE PLYMOUTH WRITER
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