The Dalton Police Department asked the GBI to investigate after Alexis Sluder, 16, of Ellijay, died while in custody at the Dalton Youth Detention Center in August 2022.
Authorities did not specify what Sluder was charged with. [Why is that the first question asked? It’s irrelevant.]
The GBI said a Whitfield County grand jury handed up an indictment against five DJJ employees tied to Sluder’s death and have been charged with the following:
• Maveis Brooks, sergeant, age 35, of Calhoun, GA – 2 counts of first-degree cruelty to children and 1 count of second-degree cruelty to children
• Russell Ballard, cadet, age 62, of Chatsworth, GA – 2 counts of first-degree cruelty to children and 1 count of second-degree cruelty to children
• Rebecka Phillips, officer, age 45, of Chatsworth, GA – 2 counts of first-degree cruelty to children and 1 count of second-degree cruelty to children
• Monica Hedrick, nurse, age 62, Ringgold, GA – 1 count of second-degree cruelty to children
• David McKinney, Detention Center Director, age 53, of Rome, GA – 1 count of second-degree cruelty to children
[It’s been more than a year, but] The GBI has not released Sluder’s cause of death or much other information about this case.
“Gag laws regarding juveniles” — one of many, many things I know nothing about and haven’t given much thought to.
Some HIPAA-like privacy rules for info about kids in custody seems sensible, but the article says “GBI has not released Sluder’s cause of death or much other information about this case,” when she’s been dead for a year. I would think/hope an investigation outranks any gag rules.
The only people privy to that info are parents, medical staff, and investigators (+ grandy jury).
If the reporters want to know info and the parents or guardians aren’t telling them, then they’re SoL.
Which is EXACTLY how this should be.
Why?
What’s the advantage of making sure the facts are known only to parents, medical staff, and investigators?
Because ‘my children’ are not your business.
But the actions of public servants that result in the death of a child absolutely is everyones business.
If they’re trying to protect privacy, give the details, and keep the name redacted.
… hence the grand jury… What aren’t people getting about how this isn’t ACTIVELY what’s happening?
And like before, it deals with juveniles, so all data is locked up tight. It’s a whole different world of legality in numerous ways.
But the purpose of sealing records on minors is so that it doing stupid stuff as a kid has limited effect later in life. She’s dead, so there’s no reason to keep it sealed other than shielding from public scrutiny.
I understand there’s a grand jury, but until it’s released to the public I’ll follow what’s worked pretty well for me so far and assume the worst about the police/government until proven otherwise.
I love it when someone explains what I’m thinking so much more clearly than what I’m thinking. :) Thanks.