Fornits

Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => Public Sector Gulags => Topic started by: Oscar on July 19, 2011, 01:07:36 AM

Title: The world will never know how Eric Perez died
Post by: Oscar on July 19, 2011, 01:07:36 AM
Florida's Anti-Faces of Death Law May Hide How 18-Year-Old Died in State Hands (http://http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2011/07/florida_death_video_law_juvenile_eric_perez.php) (By Matthew Hendley, Broward Palm Beach, July 18, 2011)

Thanks to a new law teenagers can die in the abuse hands of state workers. After the well-known boot camp law, the politicians became tired of being looked over the shoulder, so the passed a new law where the police can put tapes in a drawer and never look at them.

Now Eric Perez is death. Thanks to the new law, he is basically considered to have died of old age, despite the fact that he only managed to live 18 years.
Title: Juvenile dies while in detention
Post by: Ursus on July 23, 2011, 10:48:56 AM
It might be helpful to go back a little in time, just over a week from that blog entry in the OP, to when Eric Perez actually died. That would have been Sunday morning, July 10th, 2011.

Here's what appears to be one of the first articles that came out about Eric Perez's death, having been posted the day after:

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NEWS CHANNEL 5 — WPTV

Juvenile dies while in detention (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/juvenile-dies-while-in-detention)
At a facility in West Palm Beach

Posted: 07/11/2011
By: WPTV Web Team

(http://http://media2.wptv.com//photo/2011/07/11/xprjdd9_20110711152054_320_240.JPG)
Photographer: Courtesy: Fla. Dept. of Juvenile Justice
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The state is investigating the death of a juvenile who was in custody at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center in West Palm Beach.

Samadhi Jones, with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, confirmed that the juvenile died at the West Palm Beach facility Sunday morning at 8:09 a.m.

She said he was pronounced dead by Emergency Medical Services.

The cause of death is unknown and under investigation by the DJJ Office of the Inspector General and the West Palm Beach Police.

In a written release Jones said, "We offer our prayers and sympathy for the young man's family and loved ones."

According to its website the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center is a 65 bed, hardware secure facility that serves youth detained by various circuit court(s). Youth are detained pending adjudication, disposition or placement in commitment facility.

The facility provides supervision of youth in a safe, secure and humane environment, according to the website.


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Juvenile dies while in detention, mother speaks out
Post by: Ursus on July 23, 2011, 11:01:58 AM
Video news footage at the title link:

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NEWS CHANNEL 5 — WPTV

Juvenile dies while in detention, mother speaks out (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/juvenile-dies-while-in-detention,-mother-speaks-out)
Family suspects something went wrong

Posted: 07/11/2011
By: Rochelle Ritchie

(http://http://media2.wptv.com//photo/2011/07/11/Juvenile_dies_while_incc4d4a75-03a6-4108-8786-3b4d9474c4b70000_20110711231621_320_240.JPG)
Photographer: WPTV · Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - She was supposed to be preparing for his homecoming, but now a mother is making funeral preparations for her son who died at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

The family of 18-year-old Eric Perez says he was a troubled teen, but was beginning to turn his life around. Now suddenly that life is over, just as he was set to be released from juvenile detention.

"What happened to my son, that's what I want to know," says Maritza Perez, the boy's mother.

"It hurts, it hurts, I mean I can't really explain it," says Carlos Perez, a family member.

Maritza Perez says her son, Eric, had just celebrated his 18th birthday and Monday he was found dead in his cell.

"At first when I found out I wanted to go with him. I'm not going to lie, I wanted to kill myself but I have 3 more kids," says Maritza Perez.

Perez says detectives told her that her son had breathing problems and that other officials indicated he died of a "sudden illness."

"He had no asthma, no trouble breathing. This the first time I hear of this," she says.

Family members suspect something else went wrong. They don't know what, but they are seeking the truth.

"They told me Eric had an enlarged heart and he had bleeding in his brain," says his aunt. "I just don't understand how a 17-year-old goes to sleep and wakes up dead."

"You could expect that from an elderly [person], but not a healthy 17-year-old. It's something more to the story than they're saying," says David Perez.

Perez's mother says she spoke with her son just hours before he was found dead, and he was excited about going into a Job Corps. program; a program he said would change his life.

"He wanted to go there he wanted to work he just wanted to change his life," recalls Maritza.

She says the family won't rest until they are satisfied all their questions have been answered.

"The money is not going to bring my son back I just want them to pay for what they did," Maritza said.

An investigation has been launched into how the teen died.


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Comments: "Juvenile dies while in detention, mother speaks o
Post by: Ursus on July 23, 2011, 02:32:35 PM
Comments (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/juvenile-dies-while-in-detention,-mother-speaks-out#83840672-2) left for the above article, "Juvenile dies while in detention, mother speaks out (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=402877#p402866)" (by Rochelle Ritchie, 07/11/2011, News Channel 5 - WPTV):


Steve Galla · Last Week
Jae Osk · Last Week
Michelle Laudenslager Perez · Last Week
Lydia SheeCutee McCright · Last Week
Mary Mccaskill · Last Week
Donna Sayles-Corbin · Last Week
Jodi Shortle-Colberg · Last Week


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Police Investigate Death Of Inmate At Juvenile Facility
Post by: Ursus on July 24, 2011, 03:05:44 PM
Geez... The word "inmate" is mentioned three times in the following short article, not even including the title.

If my cursory overlook of the articles is correct (which it may very well not be), I think Eric Perez got stopped for a broken bicycle light, and was subsequently discovered to have some marijuana in his pocket, which was a violation of his probation for an earlier charge. He was due to be released in a few days, when his untimely death occurred.

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abc25 - WPBF

Police Investigate Death Of Inmate At Juvenile Facility (http://http://www.wpbf.com/news/28512772/detail.html)
Inmate Died Sunday Morning At Juvenile Facility In West Palm Beach

Erin Guy, Reporter
POSTED: 4:01 pm EDT July 11, 2011
UPDATED: 7:38 am EDT July 12, 2011

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Police are investigating the death of an inmate who was in custody at a juvenile detention center in West Palm Beach.

West Palm Beach police spokesman Chase Scott said the male inmate died Sunday morning at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

Police haven't said how the inmate died and are awaiting the results of an autopsy.

An administrator at the juvenile detention center said nobody has been placed on administrative leave at this time.


Copyright 2011 by WPBF.com.
Title: Comments: "Police Investigate Death Of Inmate At Juvie..."
Post by: Ursus on July 24, 2011, 03:11:26 PM
Comments (http://http://www.wpbf.com/news/28512772/detail.html) left for the above article, "Police Investigate Death Of Inmate At Juvenile Facility (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=402899#p402898)" (by Erin Guy; July 12, 2011; ABC News 25 - WPBF):


snake02 · Jul. 11, 2011 8:11pm EST
anagel01 · Jul. 11, 2011 9:25pm EST
YeaBuddy · Jul. 12, 2011 9:18am EST
nola · Jul. 12, 2011 9:50am EST
YeaBuddy · Jul. 12, 2011 10:50am EST


Copyright 2011 by WPBF.com.
Title: Teen dies while in detention at West Palm Beach state facili
Post by: Ursus on July 24, 2011, 10:59:21 PM
Video news footage at the title link...

Another version of this article is also at TCPalm.com under a slightly different title: Fort Pierce teen dies while in detention at state facility in West Palm Beach | Video (http://http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/jul/12/fort-pierce-teen-dies-while-detention-west-palm-be/) (video news footage also accessible at that link).

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The Palm Beach Post

Teen dies while in detention at West Palm Beach state facility (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/crime/teen-dies-while-in-detention-at-west-palm-1600477.html)

BY MICHAEL LAFORGIA AND JULIUS WHIGHAM II
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Updated: 11:53 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Posted: 6:10 p.m. Monday, July 11, 2011

WEST PALM BEACH — Authorities are investigating the death of an inmate who died Sunday morning while in custody at a West Palm Beach detention center.

A young man was pronounced dead at 8:10 a.m. Sunday at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice spokeswoman Samadhi Jones confirmed Monday.

The department's inspector general and the West Palm Beach Police Department are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

Jones said she could not release the victim's name because of state law. But Maritza Perez of Fort Pierce said investigators told her Sunday the victim was her son, Eric, who turned 18 this month.

Eric Perez had been charged with violating his probation June 28. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, he had been arrested six times in Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties since May 2008 for offenses such as burglary, larceny and marijuana possession.

Maritza Perez said her son was due to be released this week.

She said that representatives from West Palm Beach police, the detention center and the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office indicated that her son died of a sudden illness.

"Everybody keeps giving me different stories of how he passed," she said.

Maritza Perez said she heard from a West Palm Beach detective Sunday.

"When we talked to the detective yesterday, he was telling me that Eric was out of breath, that he couldn't breathe, and that the kid who was in the cell with him was trying to get the attention of the guards," she said.

Maritza Perez said the lieutenant from the detention center said Eric had an enlarged heart and had bleeding in his brain.

A representative from the medical examiner's office indicated his office was examining Eric's lungs, Maritza Perez said.

User comments are not being accepted on this article.


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Eric Perez — Area Death Notice
Post by: Ursus on July 25, 2011, 10:44:33 AM
Eric Perez (http://http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/palmbeachpost/obituary.aspx?n=eric-perez&pid=152521081)

Area Death Notice

Perez, Eric, 18, of West Palm Beach, died Sunday. Tillman Funeral Home, West Palm Beach. Visitation and funeral Thursday.

Published in The Palm Beach Post on July 13, 2011


© Copyright 1999-2011 Legacy.com
Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Eric Perez (Tributes.com)
Post by: Ursus on July 25, 2011, 10:49:21 AM
In addition to the above death notice (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=402921#p402920), there are two obituaries on the web, where people can leave condolences and memories. Here's the first one, from Tributes.com:

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Eric Perez (http://http://www.tributes.com/show/Eric-Perez-91905880)


Eric was born on July 3, 1993 and passed away on Sunday, July 10, 2011.

Eric was last known to be living in Port Saint Lucie, Florida.

Reposing 6-9 PM Thursday, July 14, 2011 at Tillman Funeral Home, 2170 S. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, where a funeral service will be held at 8:00 PM.


© 2011 Tributes, Inc.
Title: Eric Perez - Memory Book (Tributes.com)
Post by: Ursus on July 25, 2011, 10:58:34 AM
Eric Perez - Memory Book (http://http://www.tributes.com/show/Eric-Perez-91905880#obituary)
(Tributes.com)


Posted by: Alyssa - west palm beach , FL - bestfriend  · Jul 20, 2011


© 2011 Tributes, Inc.
Title: ERIC PEREZ - Obituary (Palm Beach Memorial)
Post by: Ursus on July 25, 2011, 11:03:31 AM
In Celebration of a life well lived (http://http://www.palmbeachmemorial.com/obituary/user/show/template?id=46442)

Eric Perez passed away on 7/10/2011. Interment will be held on 7/18/2011 at 2:00 PM

Eric Perez
July 3, 1993 - July 10, 2011
Interment : Monday July 18, 2011, 2:00 PM at Palm Beach Memorial Park.[/list][/size]

Palm Beach Memorial Park, 3691 Seacrest Boulevard, Lantana, Fl. 33463
Copyright 2009
Title: Guestbook for Eric Perez (Palm Beach Memorial)
Post by: Ursus on July 25, 2011, 11:40:04 AM
Guestbook (http://http://www.palmbeachmemorial.com/obituary/user/guestbook/messages?id=46442) for Eric Perez
(Palm Beach Memorial)


Neil Siegel · July 21,2011


Palm Beach Memorial Park, 3691 Seacrest Boulevard, Lantana, Fl. 33463
Copyright 2009
Title: 6 employees placed on leave, following the death of...
Post by: Ursus on July 25, 2011, 11:46:32 AM
Back to the news coverage...

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NEWS CHANNEL 5 — WPTV

6 employees placed on leave, following the death of an 18-year-old at a juvenile detention center (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/6-employees-placed-on-leave%2C-following-the-death-of-a-minor-at-a-juvenile-detention-center)

Posted: 07/14/2011
By: WPTV Web Team

(http://http://media2.wptv.com//photo/2011/07/11/Juvenile_dies_while_incc4d4a75-03a6-4108-8786-3b4d9474c4b70000_20110711231621_320_240.JPG)
Photographer: WPTV · Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Six detention center employees were placed on paid administrative leave following the death investigation of a teen who died on Sunday while in custody at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

The six employees were placed on leave effective July 12,  pending the outcome of investigations into circumstances surrounding his death, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice spokeswoman Samadhi Jones confirmed today.

"The DJJ is conducting an intensive review of actions taken by department personnel to determine whether policies and procedures were followed," said Jones.

West Palm Beach Police Department is also investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

“The sudden loss of this young man brings deep sadness to all of us at the DJJ,” said Secretary Wansley Walters. “We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Jones said she could not release the victim's name because of state law. But Maritza Perez of Fort Pierce said investigators told her Sunday the victim was her son, Eric Perez.

The family of 18-year-old Eric Perez says he was a troubled teen, but was beginning to turn his life around.

Now suddenly that life is over, just as he was set to be released from juvenile detention.

Perez's funeral was held on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Tillman Funeral home located at 2170 Military Trail in West Palm Beach.

Rochelle Ritchie contributed to this report.


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Report: Six put on leave while state probes death of teen...
Post by: Ursus on July 25, 2011, 11:52:00 AM
Video news footage at the title link:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Palm Beach Post

Report: Six put on leave while state probes death of teen at West Palm Beach detention center (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/report-six-put-on-leave-while-state-probes-1610041.html)

Palm Beach Post Staff Report

Updated: 5:38 a.m. Friday, July 15, 2011
Posted: 9:34 p.m. Thursday, July 14, 2011

Six detention center employees were placed on paid administrative leave while authorities investigate the death of an inmate who died Sunday at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center, news partner WPTV Channel 5 reported Thursday.

The six facility employees were placed on leave effective Tuesday, pending the outcome of investigations into circumstances surrounding the teenager's death, WPTV reported.

A Florida Department of Juvenile Justice spokeswoman declined to identify the teen, citing state law. However, Maritza Perez of Fort Pierce said investigators told her Sunday that the victim was her son, Eric Perez.

Maritza Perez said investigators told her that Eric died of a sudden illness. A lieutenant from the detention center said Eric had an enlarged heart and had bleeding in his brain, Maritza Perez said. A representative from the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's office indicated his office was examining Eric's lungs, she said.

Eric turned 18 this month and, according to his mother, he was set to be released from juvenile detention this week.

Eric Perez had been charged with violating his probation June 28. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, he had been arrested six times in Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties since May 2008 for offenses such as burglary, larceny and marijuana possession.

The DJJ Office of Inspector General and the West Palm Beach Police Department are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Comments: "Report: Six put on leave while state probes death
Post by: Ursus on July 26, 2011, 07:19:35 PM
Comments (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/report-six-put-on-leave-while-state-probes-1610041.html) left for the above article, "Report: Six put on leave while state probes death of teen at West Palm Beach detention center (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=402959#p402928)" (Palm Beach Post Staff Report; July 14, 2011; The Palm Beach Post):


Patricia Cournoyer · 10:33 PM, 7/14/2011
It's a shame · 1:34 AM, 7/15/2011
Shame Shame Shame..... · 1:47 AM, 7/15/2011
cathy · 2:29 AM, 7/15/2011
Concerned Parent · 6:16 AM, 7/15/2011
Reajjy??? · 6:35 AM, 7/15/2011
david · 8:25 AM, 7/15/2011
The Truth · 10:15 AM, 7/15/2011
Really · 6:19 PM, 7/15/2011
Rick · 5:29 AM, 7/16/2011


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Family of dead juvenile inmate encouraged by state action...
Post by: Ursus on July 26, 2011, 08:06:19 PM
Video news footage at the title link:

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NEWS CHANNEL 5 — WPTV

Family of dead juvenile inmate encouraged by state action at juvenile facility (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/family-of-dead-juvenile-inmate-encouraged-by-staffers'-leave)
6 staffers put on leave after 18-year-old dies

Posted: 07/14/2011
By: Evan Axelbank

(http://http://media2.wptv.com//photo/2011/07/11/Juvenile_dies_while_incc4d4a75-03a6-4108-8786-3b4d9474c4b70000_20110711231621_320_240.JPG)
Copyright 2011 · Scripps Media, Inc.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Maritza Perez looked into her son's casket and made one last promise.

"I told him that I'm not going to rest until they make those who did what they did to him to pay for what they did to him," said Perez.

The Department of Juvenile Justice confirms they're beginning an investigation into the death of 18-year-old Eric Perez.

On Tuesday, the six juvenile detention staffers who were responsible for the teen's care were put on administrative leave.

It's a common step during investigations surrounding a death, and the department stresses it isn't a sign of wrongdoing.

However, the family took the move as a positive sign that answers will be forthcoming.

"Oh, that's good. That's good. I can see that they're trying to do something. Absolutely, that's good, yeah," said Perez.

The family says detention center officials told them that Eric had an enlarged heart, bleeding on the brain, and shortness of breath.

However, they say they weren't aware of any of those conditions.

The DJJ also said in a statement that it is "committed to working with our communities and partners in the legislature to ensure that quality management of medical services is provided to children in our care."

But his mother, Maritza, is still haunted by the last time they spoke by phone, less than 24 hours before he was found dead.

"I noticed in his voice that he was kind of down, depressed, that something was going on. I kept saying 'Eric (what) is wrong, tell me.' A mother knows when there's something wrong with their kid. And he didn't want to tell me."

Eric, who as serving time for a parole violation, was supposed to be released on Tuesday.

For his family, the suspicion that there's something more to his death than "natural causes," has been hardest to live with.

"For him to be laying in a coffin today is unacceptable."

There are two investigations going on: One by the inspector general of the Department of Juvenile Justice and the other by the West Palm Beach police.

There's no word on how long either of the investigations might take.


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Comments: "Family of dead juvenile inmate encouraged by..."
Post by: Ursus on July 26, 2011, 08:08:47 PM
Comments (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/family-of-dead-juvenile-inmate-encouraged-by-staffers'-leave) left for the above article, "Family of dead juvenile inmate encouraged by state action at juvenile facility (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=402962#p402961)" (by Evan Axelbank; July 14, 2011; News Channel 5 - WPTV):


Ruth Prock · Last Week
Robert Hemlak · Last Week
Virginia Saltelli · Last Week


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Letter: We cannot understand the death of Eric Perez...
Post by: Ursus on July 26, 2011, 08:36:46 PM
A Letter from a member of the family ... apparently or possibly sent to the Editor of the Sebastian Sun, but archived on the website of TCPalm:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

TCPALM · FLORIDA"S TREASURE COAST AND PALM BEACHES

Letter: We cannot understand the death of Eric Perez in detention (http://http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/jul/15/letter-we-cannot-understand-the-death-of-eric-in/?print=1)

Carlos Perez, Port St. Lucie
Friday, July 15, 2011

Letter: We cannot understand the death of Eric Perez in detention

What caused the death of Eric Perez in West Palm Beach Detention Center? He was found Sunday unreponsive in his cell, but officials did not notice the boy was gone until lunch time. Officials also told us he slept alone in his cell. He was a healthy 17-year-old, this does not make any sense to us.


© 2011 Scripps Newspaper Group
Title: 6 On Paid Leave After Death Of Inmate At Juvenile Facility
Post by: Ursus on July 26, 2011, 08:49:19 PM
abc25 - WPBF

6 On Paid Leave After Death Of Inmate At Juvenile Facility (http://http://www.wpbf.com/news/28561345/detail.html)
West Palm Beach Police, Department Of Juvenile Justice Investigating Death

POSTED: 12:58 pm EDT July 15, 2011

(http://http://www.wpbf.com/2011/0712/28518933_240X180.jpg)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Six employees at a juvenile detention center in West Palm Beach have been placed on paid administrative leave after the death of an inmate, the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice announced Thursday.

The suspensions come after a male inmate died Sunday at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

"We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones," said Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters.

Officials with the Department of Juvenile Justice are investigating to determine whether policies and procedures were followed. West Palm Beach police are also investigating.

Police haven't said how the inmate died.


Copyright 2011 by WPBF.com.
Title: Comments: "6 On Paid Leave After Death Of Inmate At Juvenile
Post by: Ursus on July 26, 2011, 08:59:57 PM
Comment (http://http://www.wpbf.com/news/28561345/detail.html) left for the above article, "6 On Paid Leave After Death Of Inmate At Juvenile Facility (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=402966#p402966)" (July 15, 2011; ABC News 25 - WPBF):


nola · Jul. 15, 2011 3:10pm EST


Copyright 2011 by WPBF.com.
Title: 2 fired, 4 on leave after teen's death
Post by: Ursus on July 27, 2011, 12:58:46 AM
The Miami Herald
Posted on Friday, 07.15.11

2 fired, 4 on leave after teen's death (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/15/2316127/juvenile-justice-workers-on-leave.html)
 
The Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Two juvenile justice employees have been fired and four others have been placed on paid leave after a teen died at a West Palm Beach detention center.

A spokeswoman for the agency said the teen died Sunday, but would not identify him or say how he died.

The department and West Palm Beach police are investigating the cause of death.

The employees were placed on leave starting July 12. The two terminations were announced Friday.

Mental health personnel are assisting staff and youth at the facility.


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: State fires two juvenile-center employees in teen's death
Post by: Ursus on July 27, 2011, 01:04:02 AM
The Palm Beach Post

State fires two juvenile-center employees in teen's death (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state-fires-two-juvenile-center-employees-in-teens-1612668.html)

By Julius Whigham II
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Updated: 11:53 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Posted: 5:05 p.m. Friday, July 15, 2011

The state has fired two detention-center employees who had been put on paid administrative leave after a teen died in custody this week, a Florida Department of Juvenile Justice spokeswoman said Friday.

DJJ spokeswoman Samadhi Jones confirmed the firings but did not specify the reasons for them. She would not comment on whether they were related to the investigation into the death Sunday of Eric Perez, 18, at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Center in West Palm Beach.

The state has not released the names of the dismissed employees.

Six employees at the center, which is on 45th Street west of St. Mary's Medical Center, were placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday as authorities investigate the death of Perez, whose family lives in St. Lucie County.

Perez appears to have died of a sudden illness, family members said.

Perez, who turned 18 this month, was assigned to the center after having been charged with a probation violation June 28, when he was still 17 and legally considered a juvenile. He had been scheduled for release this week.

The DJJ Office of Inspector General and the West Palm Beach Police Department are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

The Miami Herald reported Friday that state juvenile justice administrators have a videotape recording that depicts Perez's final moment. But the administrators are reviewing whether a new state law would prohibit releasing the recording, according to the Herald's report.

The law, which took effect July 1, exempts photos, videos or audio recordings that depict someone dying from Florida's public-records law. Violating the law is a third-degree felony.

State Sen. Maria Sachs, D-Delray Beach, told televison station WFLX-29 on Friday night that the center had been "underfunded" and "neglected" by state officials in Tallahassee for years and called for a careful review of its operations.


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Comments: "State fires two juvenile-center employees in..."
Post by: Ursus on July 27, 2011, 01:07:53 AM
Comments (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state-fires-two-juvenile-center-employees-in-teens-1612668.html) left for the above article, "State fires two juvenile-center employees in teen's death (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=402976#p402975)" (by Julius Whigham II; July 15, 2011; Palm Beach Post):


SheliaJoy · 5:18 PM, 7/15/2011
cj · 5:36 PM, 7/15/2011
david · 6:03 PM, 7/15/2011
Get Real · 6:08 PM, 7/15/2011
Oh Please · 6:32 PM, 7/15/2011
Michael Cohen · 8:19 PM, 7/15/2011
crosshanded1 · 9:13 PM, 7/15/2011
What a tragedy....NOT · 12:30 AM, 7/16/2011
smit · 8:13 AM, 7/16/2011


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Teen's death in West Palm Beach lockup raises questions...
Post by: Ursus on July 27, 2011, 01:40:21 AM
Carol Marbin Miller from the Miami Herald summarizes the then current state of affairs pretty well in below article...

This article was also published in the Palm Beach Post on July 16: Teen's death in West Palm Beach lockup raises questions about new law (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/teens-death-in-west-palm-beach-lockup-raises-1614676.html) (video news footage also available at this link).

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The Miami Herald
Posted on Friday, 07.15.11

JUVENILE JUSTICE
Teen's death in West Palm Beach lockup raises questions about new law (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/14/2316519/teens-death-in-west-palm-beach.html)

State juvenile justice administrators have a tape of a dying teen in custody in Palm Beach County. Two lockup workers have been fired and several others suspended.

BY CAROL MARBIN MILLER · [email protected]

(http://http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2011/07/15/22/15/JUPuA.Em.56.jpg)
Eric Perz (photo provided)

Two weeks after a controversial state law took effect making it illegal for government agencies to make photos or recordings of a death public, the statute will face its first test: state juvenile justice administrators have a videotape that depicts the final moments of an 18-year-old who died at a West Palm Beach lockup hours after he became ill and psychotic.

Eric Perez died at the West Palm Beach juvenile detention center at 8:09 a.m. Sunday, a few hours after lockup administrators moved the Port St. Lucie teen into a dining room so they could monitor his condition.

Samahdi Jones, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Juvenile Justice in Tallahassee, would not identify the youth in an interview with The Miami Herald, but Perez's mother confirmed she was told her son had died at the lockup.

"They should have taken him to a hospital," 47-year-old Maritza Perez said. "Just because he made mistakes doesn't mean they have the right to take his life away."

Juvenile justice administrators will not discuss Perez's death in detail. Jones said the agency has suspended four lockup workers and fired two others while DJJ's inspector general and the West Palm Beach police complete investigations into the youth's death. "The DJJ is conducting an intensive review of actions taken by department personnel to determine whether policies and procedures were followed," Jones said in the statement.

Jones declined to provide the names of any the workers, or the reasons for the terminations. The agency also declined to provide The Herald copies of the workers' termination letters.

Jones said DJJ heads are reviewing and redacting a videotape from the lockup for possible release under the state's public-records law at The Herald's request. But she added that administrators are studying the newly state law to determine whether it prohibits release of the recording. For the moment, Jones said, the video cannot be released because it is part of ongoing investigations into the youth's death.

DJJ Secretary Wansley Walters, who headed Miami's juvenile assessment center before she was tapped to run the state agency, said, "The sudden loss of this young man brings deep sadness to all of us at the DJJ. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones."

Jones said agency heads do not yet know what caused Perez's death.

The death marks the second time juvenile justice administrators have recorded events tied to the death of a detained youth. In 2006, a grainy, poorly recorded video showed a 14-year-old Panhandle boy being punched and kneed by boot camp guards because he refused to follow orders to run a track. The video, which was played endlessly on national television after DJJ released it in response to a lawsuit, led to sweeping changes in the way delinquent youths are disciplined in Florida commitment centers and lockups.

The new law, sponsored by Rep. Rachel V. Burgin, a Riverview Republican, prohibits the release of photos, video and audio recordings "that depict the killing of a person." Violating the law, which took effect July 1, is a third-degree felony.

The law defines "killing of a person" broadly to mean "all acts or events that cause or otherwise relate to the death of a human being, including any related acts or events immediately preceding or subsequent to the acts or events that were the proximate cause of death." The statute is similar to a measure passed in 2001 that banned the release of autopsy photos in the wake of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt's death.

The law does allow a surviving spouse or other relative to obtain a copy of such records, and Maritza Perez told The Herald she favors the release of any recordings that shed light on how her son died if it would prevent "another kid from having to go through what Eric did."

"They took him from me," Perez said. "I'll do anything."

Burgin said she drafted the bill last year after attending funerals for two Tampa police officers whose killings were captured on the dashboard camera of a squad car during a routine traffic stop. Reporters were allowed to view the recordings after a successful lawsuit, and Burgin said she felt the officers' families had suffered enough without "having to relive the death of their loved ones over and over."

Eric's mother may request the tape under the new law, Burgin said. "She just has to ask for it, and she can do whatever she wants with it."

Perez said she has been given conflicting reports by agency heads about her son's final hours. She said she was told Eric awoke early in the morning and appeared to be hallucinating, waving his arms frantically and screaming "Get him off me!" Nearby youths sought help from lockup staff, who moved the teen and his mat from a dorm to a day room so he could be more closely monitored. Eric vomited several times, Perez said she was told.

A few hours after Eric became ill, his condition worsened dramatically and lockup administrators called for an ambulance, Perez said she was told. By the time emergency workers arrived, Eric was dead.

At first, Perez said, she was told Eric succumbed to breathing problems. Later, she was told he appeared to have died from an enlarged heart. Then, she said, she was told he may have suffered a stroke.

"There was nothing wrong with my son," Perez said. "He was a very athletic kid. He played football and basketball. He wrestled with his brother. He was in perfect shape."

"They should have taken him to the hospital or had a real doctor look at him," Perez said. "Instead, they took it upon themselves, and left my son on a mat in the dining room, dying."

Eric Perez — who turned 18 eight days before his death and was scheduled for release a few days later — was arrested on robbery charges, and would have been referred to the region's delinquency drug court for treatment had he not been on the cusp of adulthood.


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Teen's death in WPB lockup raises questions..."
Post by: Ursus on July 27, 2011, 01:43:33 AM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/14/2316519/teens-death-in-west-palm-beach.html) left for the above article, "Teen's death in West Palm Beach lockup raises questions about new law (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=402979#p402977)" (by Carol Marbin Miller, 07.15.11, The Miami Herald), #s 1-20:


gringo1965 · 07/15/2011 07:41 PM
http://www.documentingreality.com (http://www.documentingreality.com)[/list]
Charles___Darwin · 07/15/2011 10:41 PM
Edge · 07/15/2011 11:12 PM in reply to Charles___Darwin
Fred Off · 07/16/2011 11:44 AM in reply to Charles___Darwin
earthwat · 07/16/2011 01:27 PM in reply to Fred Off
Charles___Darwin · 07/16/2011 05:48 PM in reply to earthwat
[/list][/list][/list]
TheMiddlePath · 07/16/2011 12:48 PM in reply to Charles___Darwin
Charles___Darwin · 07/16/2011 03:25 PM in reply to TheMiddlePath
TheMiddlePath · 07/16/2011 05:38 PM in reply to Charles___Darwin
Charles___Darwin · 07/16/2011 05:45 PM in reply to TheMiddlePath
John-Sebastian Barrera · 07/16/2011 06:14 PM in reply to Charles___Darwin
Charles___Darwin · 07/16/2011 06:19 PM in reply to John-Sebastian Barrera
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myangeldust · 07/16/2011 06:41 PM in reply to TheMiddlePath
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jokyla · 07/16/2011 04:02 AM
billyjobob · 07/16/2011 07:17 AM
ChazoMP11 · 07/16/2011 08:52 AM in reply to billyjobob
dsd01 · 07/16/2011 05:52 PM in reply to billyjobob
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billyjobob · 07/16/2011 07:21 AM
This comment was flagged for review.[/list]
ChazoMP11 · 07/16/2011 08:53 AM in reply to billyjobob
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1LIBERAL2 · 07/16/2011 08:09 AM


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Teen's death in WPB lockup raises questions..."
Post by: Ursus on July 27, 2011, 01:46:25 AM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/14/2316519/teens-death-in-west-palm-beach.html) left for the above article, "Teen's death in West Palm Beach lockup raises questions about new law (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=402979#p402977)" (by Carol Marbin Miller, 07.15.11, The Miami Herald), #s 21-35:


lrive031 · 07/16/2011 10:09 AM
soflaresident84 · 07/16/2011 10:35 AM in reply to lrive031
elchino · 07/16/2011 01:00 PM in reply to lrive031
[/list]
lrive031 · 07/16/2011 11:00 AM
Luis Rodriguez · 07/16/2011 11:04 AM
car2517 · 07/16/2011 11:28 AM
soflaresident84 · 07/16/2011 11:55 AM in reply to car2517
earthwat · 07/16/2011 12:16 PM in reply to car2517
radney · 07/16/2011 03:38 PM in reply to earthwat
[/list][/list]
Fred Off · 07/16/2011 11:43 AM
soflaresident84 · 07/16/2011 12:01 PM in reply to Fred Off
[/list]
earthwat · 07/16/2011 12:18 PM
xammax1 · 07/16/2011 1:47 PM
DavidMPayne · 07/16/2011 5:21 PM
Tara_Wilson · 07/22/2011 5:14 AM in reply to DavidMPayne
this article (http://http://www.teenbootcamps.org/) might interest you. I hope this doesn't happen again though. Offenders still deserve the right to change and live to become more productive citizens. Thanks for the share![/list][/list]


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Muerte de adolescente en centro de detención coloca...
Post by: Ursus on July 27, 2011, 10:22:22 AM
And... here's a Spanish version of Carol Marbin Miller's above article (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=402990#p402977)...

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El Nuevo Herald
Publicado el sábado, 07.16.11

Muerte de adolescente en centro de detención coloca ley en entredicho (http://http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/07/15/984591/cuestionan-polemica-ley-por.html)

CAROL MARBIN MILLER
[email protected]

(http://http://media.elnuevoherald.com/smedia/2011/07/16/11/52/6wvXP.Em.84.jpg)
Eric Perez. FOTO CORTESIA.

Dos semanas después de que una polémica ley nueva entrara en vigor haciendo ilegal revelar fotografías o grabaciones de un homicidio, el estatuto enfrentará su primer reto: los administradores de justicia juvenil del estado tienen una cinta de video que muestra los momentos finales de un joven de 18 años que falleció en un centro de detención de West Palm Beach horas después de que se enfermara y tuviera un ataque de psicosis.

Eric Pérez, de Port St. Lucie, murió en el centro de detención juvenil de West Palm Beach a las 8:09 a.m. del domingo, pocas horas después de que los administradores del mismo lo mudaran a un comedor para vigilar su estado. Samahdi Jones, vocera del Departamento de Justicia Juvenil en Tallahassee (DJJ), no quiso revelar la identidad del joven en una entrevista con The Miami Herald, pero la madre de Pérez confirmó que ellos se habían dicho que su hijo había muerto en el centro de detención del Condado Palm Beach.

"Ellos deberían haberlo llevado a un hospital", dijo Maritza Pérez, de 47 años. "Que él haya cometido un error no significa que ellos tengan el derecho de quitarle la vida".

Administradores de justicia juvenil no quisieron discutir detalles de la muerte de Pérez. Jones dijo el jueves en una declaración preparada que la agencia ha puesto a seis empleados del centro de detención de licencia administrativa pagada mientras que el inspector general del DJJ y la policía de West Palm Beach completan sus investigaciones de la muerte del joven. “El DJJ está llevando a cabo una revisión intensiva de las acciones llevadas a cabo por el personal del departamento para determinar si se siguieron las reglas y procedimientos de rigor”, dijo Jones en la declaración.

El viernes por la tarde, Jones dijo que dos de los empleados suspendidos del centro de detención habían sido despedidos. Jones se negó a dar los nombres de los empleados o las razones de su despido. La agencia se negó asimismo a entregar a The Miami Herald copias de las cartas de despido de los trabajadores.

Jones dijo el jueves que la dirección del DJJ estaba, a petición de The Herald, revisando y editando una cinta de video del centro de detención para su posible entrega según la ley de documentos públicos del estado, pero añadió que los administradores estaban estudiando la recién aprobada Ley HB 411 para determinar si prohíbe la publicación de la grabación. El viernes, Jones dijo que no se puede dar a conocer públicamente la cinta porque es parte de una investigación en curso sobre la muerte del joven.

El secretario del DJJ Wansley Walters, quien dirigía el centro de evaluación de delincuencia juvenil de Miami antes de ser designado para presidir la agencia estatal, dijo: "La pérdida repentina de este joven ha causado una profunda tristeza a todos nosotros en el DJJ. Damos nuestro más sentido pésame a su familia y sus seres queridos".

Jones dijo que la dirección de la agencia no sabe todavía qué causó la muerte de Pérez.

La muerte de Pérez marca la segunda ocasión en que administradores de justicia juvenil han grabado sucesos relacionados con la muerte de un joven detenido. En el 2006, un video borroso y mal filmado mostró a un muchacho de 14 años del Panhandle recibiendo puñetazos y rodillazos de los guardias del campamento porque se negó a seguir sus ordenes de correr por una pista. El video, que fue mostrado sin parar en la televisión nacional luego de que el DJJ lo hiciera público en respuesta a una demanda, tuvo como consecuencia profundos cambios en la manera en que se castiga a los delincuentes juveniles en las prisiones y centros de detención de la Florida.

 La ley HB411, que fuera auspiciada por la representante Rachel V. Burgin, republicana de Riverview, prohíbe dar a conocer al público fotos y grabaciones de video y audio "que muestren un homicidio". La misma se puso en vigor el 1 de julio, conjuntamente con otras muchas leyes aprobadas durante la temporada de sesiones legislativas del 2011. Violar esa ley es un delito de mayor cuantía de tercer grado.

Y, aunque la ley se refiere específicamente a homicidios, la misma define "homicidio" muy a grandes rasgos como "todos aquellos actos o sucesos que causen o que de otro modo se relacionen con el acto de matar a un ser humano, incluyendo todos aquellos actos o sucesos que precedan o sigan de inmediato a los actos o sucesos que fueran la causa aproximada de su muerte". La ley es similar a una medida aprobada en el 2001 que prohibió la publicación de fotos de autopsias tras la muerte del piloto de carreras de NASCAR Dale Earnhardt.

La ley permite que el cónyuge u otro familiar sobreviviente reciba una copia de dichos archivos, y Maritza Pérez dijo a The Herald que ella está a favor de dar a conocer al público cualquier grabación que arroje luz sobre el modo en que murió su hijo si eso pudiera prevenir "que otro muchacho tenga que pasar por lo que pasó Eric".

"Ellos me lo arrancaron", dijo Pérez. "Yo estoy dispuesta a hacer cualquier cosa".

Burgin dijo que ella redactó el proyecto de ley el año pasado luego de asistir a los funerales de dos agentes de policía de Tampa cuya muerte fue grabada por la cámara de la pizarra de un carro patrullero durante una parada rutinaria de tránsito. Se permitió a los reporteros ver las grabaciones después del éxito de una demanda, y Burgin dijo que ella consideraba que la familia de los agentes ya había sufrido bastante sin "tener que vivir de nuevo la muerte de sus seres queridos una y otra vez".

La madre de Eric tiene derecho a solicitar una copia de la cinta de video bajo la nueva ley, dijo Burgin. "Ella no tiene más que pedirla, y puede hacer lo que quiera con ella".

Pérez dijo que ella ha recibido reportes contradictorios de directivos de la agencia sobre las horas finales de su hijo. Le dijeron, afirmó, que Eric se despertó de madrugada y pareció estar alucinando, agitando sus brazos frenéticamente y gritando: "¡Quítenmelo de encima!" Jóvenes que estaban cerca pidieron ayuda al personal del centro de detención, los cuales mudaron al adolescente y su colchoneta de un dormitorio a una sala de recreación para vigilarlo más de cerca. Eric vomitó varias veces, dijo Pérez que le informaron.

Pocas horas después de que Eric se empezara a sentir mal, su estado se agravó drásticamente y los administradores del centro de detención llamaron una ambulancia, dijo Pérez que le habían dicho. Cuando llegaron los trabajadores de emergencia, Eric ya estaba muerto.

Al principio, según Pérez, le dijeron que Eric había fallecido de problemas respiratorios. Luego, que él parecía haber muerto a consecuencia de una cardiomegalia. Más tarde, que él pudo haber sufrido un derrame cerebral.


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comentarios: "Muerte de adolescente en centro de detención..
Post by: Ursus on July 27, 2011, 10:32:12 AM
Comments (http://http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/07/15/984591_p2/cuestionan-polemica-ley-por.html) left for the above article, "Muerte de adolescente en centro de detención coloca ley en entredicho (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&start=15#p402990)" (by Carol Marbin Miller, 07.16.11, El Nuevo Herald):


Wil Vega · 07/16/2011 03:00 PM
Elena_Nito · 07/16/2011 04:02 PM en respuesta a Wil Vega
Wil Vega · 07/16/2011 05:01 PM en respuesta a Elena_Nito
[/list][/list]
cublibre · 07/16/2011 07:24 PM
[impunidad] total estamos jodidos ,seguidor de la ley con 2 dedos de frente[/list]
Nopasanada · 07/16/2011 08:22 PM
historico · 07/17/2011 02:27 PM


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Teen's death in lockup brings call for statewide investigati
Post by: Ursus on July 27, 2011, 12:09:02 PM
Video news footage at the title link:

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NEWS CHANNEL 5 — WPTV

Teen's death in lockup brings call for statewide investigation (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/teen%27s-death-in-lockup-brings-call-for-statewide-investigation)
Two detention employees fired

Posted: 07/15/2011
By: Evan Axelbank

(http://http://media2.wptv.com//photo/2011/07/16/xjuview_20110716072752_320_240.JPG)
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The investigation into the death of 18-year-old Eric Perez at a state-run juvenile lockup is widening as one South Florida lawmaker says the West Palm Beach Juvenile Detention Center has been neglected for years.

The reasons behind the death of Perez are not clear.

But we have new insights from Delray Beach State Senator Maria Sachs, who once chaired the board for the juvenile detention lockup now under fire.

"It really has been a forgotten area, in so many instances, there is not enough funding," said Sachs.

Now there are new questions and criticism.

The Perez family has questions about what happened to their loved one, who was reportedly suffering from several medical ailments like shortness of breath and bleeding on the brain, right before he died Sunday morning.

The family said Thursday that they're convinced someone neglected his care.

"For him to be laying in a coffin today is unacceptable," said his aunt, Dorianne Pellot.

Of the six detention center employees who were put on leave this week - all responsible for the care of Perez - two were fired Friday.

The state won't give their names or say why they were fired.

Sachs says it's important not to read into that move until the facts come out in what she hopes will be a deep investigation.

"It's warranted, and not only Palm Beach's juvenile detention center, but all through the state, we need to take a look at all of them," said Sachs. "It's time for legislative oversight into the detention centers. It really has been a forgotten area. I think it's time that we need to look at it and properly fund them."

The Perez family says they have hired a lawyer to help in their push for answers.


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Video shows final moments of teen at lockup
Post by: Ursus on July 27, 2011, 12:36:48 PM
Now comes some specific focus on the video...

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The Miami Herald
Posted on Saturday, 07.16.11

Video shows final moments of teen at lockup (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/16/2317112/video-shows-final-moments-of-teen.html)
 
The Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Authorities say there is a video of the final moments of an 18-year-old who died at a West Palm Beach juvenile detention center.

Eric Perez died last Sunday after falling ill. His mother says she was told the teen began hallucinating and vomiting. He was moved to a room where officials could watch him more closely but his condition deteriorated. An ambulance was called but Perez was reportedly dead when they arrived.

A spokeswoman for the state Department of Juvenile Justice says four lockup workers have been suspended and two fired. The department's inspector general and police are investigating Perez's death.

While there is video of the incident, it may not be made public. A new law makes it illegal for agencies to release photos or recordings of a death.


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Video of final moments of teen who died at a West Palm Beach
Post by: Ursus on July 27, 2011, 12:39:09 PM
NEWS CHANNEL 5 — WPTV

Video of final moments of teen who died at a West Palm Beach juvenile detention center (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/video-of-final-moments-of-teen-who-died-at-a-west-palm-beach-juvenile-detention-center)

Posted: 07/17/2011

(http://http://media2.wptv.com//photo/2011/07/16/xjuvie_20110716072824_320_240.JPG)
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.

WEST PALM BEACH - - Authorities say there is a video of the final moments of an 18-year-old who died at a West Palm Beach juvenile detention center.
Eric Perez died last Sunday after falling ill.

A spokesperson for the state Department of Juvenile Justice says four lockup workers have been suspended and two fired.

The department's inspector general and police are investigating Perez's death.

While there is video of the incident, it may not be made public.  A new law makes it illegal for agencies to release photos or recordings of a death.

Perez's mother says she was told the teen began hallucinating and vomiting. He was moved to a room where officials could watch him more closely but his condition deteriorated.


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Comments: "Video of final moments of teen who died..."
Post by: Ursus on July 29, 2011, 12:45:44 AM
Comment (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/video-of-final-moments-of-teen-who-died-at-a-west-palm-beach-juvenile-detention-center) left for the above article, "Video of final moments of teen who died at a West Palm Beach juvenile detention center (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403013#p402998)" (07/17/2011, News Channel 5 - WPTV):

Robert Hemlak · Last Week


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Florida's Anti-Faces of Death Law May Hide How 18-Yr-Old Die
Post by: Ursus on July 29, 2011, 12:48:08 AM
Finally, at long last ( :D ), here's that entry from the Broward-Palm Beach New Times blog, The Daily Pulp, which was linked to by Oscar in the OP (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561#p402726):

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The Daily Pulp

PUBLIC RECORDS
Florida's Anti-Faces of Death Law May Hide How 18-Year-Old Died in State Hands (http://http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2011/07/florida_death_video_law_juvenile_eric_perez.php)

By Matthew Hendley · Mon., Jul. 18 2011 at 8:30 AM
Categories: Public Records

(http://http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/faces-of-death.jpg)
cinema-suicide.com
Faces of Death: A crappy movie that makes videos of people dying very scary.

Thanks to the Florida lawmakers' successful bid to legislate morality in the state's public records law, we may never know how 18-year-old Eric Perez died in the hands of state workers.

Perez died about a week ago at a West Palm Beach juvenile detention facility, due to either breathing problems, an enlarged heart, maybe a stroke, or after becoming "ill and psychotic" -- at least those are the different stories officials have told Perez's mother, according to the Miami Herald (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/14/2316519/teens-death-in-west-palm-beach.html).

His death was recorded on video, but since HB 411 (http://http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=45253&SessionId=66) was signed into effect by the governor, the media -- and subsequently, the public -- may never get to see that video.

The rationale for the law may make sense on the surface: Most people who've seen Faces of Death (http://http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077533/) -- a 1980 film that's just a roughly 100-minute compilation of real and fake footage of deaths -- would think there's no legitimate reason to watch the death of another human being.

To anyone who wants to hold people and government accountable, though, death videos have proved to be important.

Consider the story (http://http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=2751785&page=1) -- and video (http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv2PwrhFzT8) -- of Martin Lee Anderson.

He was 14 years old when he died at a juvenile boot camp in Panama City in 2006, and just about everyone had seen the video of his death -- leading to the closure of all state boot camps.

But as of July 1, any photograph, video, or audio recording that depicts "all acts or events that cause or otherwise relate to the death of any human being, including any related acts or events immediately preceding or subsequent to the acts or events that were the proximate cause of death," are considered confidential and exempt from Florida's public records law.

Now it's a third-degree felony for a records custodian to release the video if it violates the new law.

The Herald has already requested the tape, and officials say they're in the process of redacting the footage in case it is exempt from the law, although they still wouldn't be able to release it while the investigation into Perez's death is ongoing.

The only other way around the law in this case would be through Perez's mother. The death videos can be released to immediate family, and they're free to do whatever they want with it. His mother has told the Herald she'd likely give the paper the tape.

Absent that, the state hasn't even said how Perez died or what he died of.

Officials wouldn't provide Perez's name until his mother came forward to reporters, and the state wouldn't give the Herald the employees' termination letters.

Follow The Pulp on Facebook and on Twitter: @ThePulpBPB.


©2011 New Times BPB, LLC.
Title: Comments: "Florida's Anti-Faces of Death Law May Hide..."
Post by: Ursus on July 29, 2011, 02:58:22 PM
Comment (http://http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2011/07/florida_death_video_law_juvenile_eric_perez.php) left for the above Broward-Palm Beach New Times blog entry, "Florida's Anti-Faces of Death Law May Hide How 18-Year-Old Died in State Hands (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403029#p403014)" (by Matthew Hendley, Jul. 18 2011, The Daily Pulp):


Thefamilyshouldhavenorights · 4 days ago


©2011 New Times BPB, LLC.
Title: Attorney Speaks About Teen Who Died At Juvenile Facility
Post by: Ursus on July 29, 2011, 03:26:31 PM
Now comes the issue about the nightlong delay of the 911 call...

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abc25 - WPBF

Attorney Speaks About Teen Who Died At Juvenile Facility (http://http://www.wpbf.com/news/28586712/detail.html)
Mother Of Teen Who Died In Custody Says Officials Could Have Done Something

Angela Rozier, Reporter
POSTED: 3:46 pm EDT July 18, 2011
UPDATED: 10:37 pm EDT July 18, 2011

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- An attorney representing the family of a teenager who died while in custody at a West Palm Beach juvenile detention center spoke about the incident Monday.

Eric Perez died July 10 while in custody at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

An attorney for the family said the reason Perez died was because one of the guards was not allowed to call 911 even after Perez complained of severe headaches and vomited for hours.

"The analysis here is that, unfortunately, some of the people in charge think that these young men are malingerers and fakers, but this is not one of those situations," attorney Richard Schuler said.

Perez's mother said she wasn't told how her son died.

"They could have done something to help him out," mother Maritza Perez said.

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and West Palm Beach police are investigating the death.

Since Perez's death, the juvenile justice agency has fired two employees and suspended six others.

The 18-year-old Port St. Lucie boy was buried Monday at Palm Beach Memorial Park in Lantana.


Copyright 2011 by WPBF.com.
Title: 911 phone call may have saved teen, but guard says...
Post by: Ursus on July 29, 2011, 07:28:59 PM
Video news footage at the title link:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

NEWS CHANNEL 5 — WPTV

911 phone call may have saved teen, but guard says he was ordered not to call (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/911-phone-call-may-have-saved-teen%2C-but-guard-says-he-was-ordered-not-to-call)

Posted: 07/18/2011
By: Rochelle Ritchie

(http://http://media2.wptv.com//photo/2011/07/18/Former_guard_plans_to_95c13725-4d8d-4ecc-ada8-d8220845c0eb0000_20110718234041_320_240.JPG)
Photographer: WPTV · Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - One phone call might have made a difference between life and death. One of the guards fired from a West Palm Beach detention facility says it's a call he never got the chance to make.

His story is part of a widening probe into the sudden death of a teenager; a case sparking legal action now.

The cause of death for 18-year-old Eric Perez is still not known and it could take up to 10 weeks before an autopsy report comes through.

The family's attorney says this is a case of negligence and blatant disrespect for human life.

They say once the investigation is over they'll know exactly who to go after in their lawsuit, whether it's the state or Palm Beach County.

A heartbroken mother, just back from burying her son, is working to make sure his death is not in vain.

"My son didn't have to die like this," says Maritza Perez.

Perez expressed anger that her son was not given any medical attention after suffering from a severe headache and sickness 8 days ago at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center, where he died suddenly.

"If a kid complains about a headache why can't they take care of it? They could've done something to help him out," says Perez.

Flloyd Powell was a guard who on duty that day; one of two fired after Perez's death. Four others are on administrative leave. Powell told the family's attorney Perez had been, "vomiting violently for several hours and screaming." Flloyd says he wanted to call 911.

"I was given a direct order from my supervisor not to call 911," he says.

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice says Flloyd Powell and Terence D. Davis were terminated for failing to call 911 in accordance with their training and clearly posted Department of Juvenile Justice policies, and will take additional disciplinary measures if more violations are found.

One of the family's attorneys, Richard Schuler, says two videotapes have surfaced from cameras placed at the juvenile detention center that could reveal exactly what happened to Perez.

"When he was taken out of his room and told to lie on the floor there's videotape that looks at that area. The second tape actually would have filmed his death. This was a situation where help was required to be called and it wasn't. They weren't doing their job," says Schuler.

Powell says Perez appeared to fall asleep and was later taken to a medical confinement room, almost three hours after he got sick.

He later died, alone, in that room.

Perez says she knows her son is gone but she is hoping to save another family the same loss.

"I just want justice that's all," she says.

The family attorney says he is hoping others who were working that night will come forward with more information.


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Jail guard: I was fired over 911 call for sick teen
Post by: Ursus on July 29, 2011, 07:57:20 PM
This seems to be an article which first appeared in the Miami Herald, although I cannot, at the moment, seem to locate it on their website. It was probably absorbed into/combined with other material for a longer piece by Carol Marbin Miller, also published on this same date...

Video news footage at the title link:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Palm Beach Post

Jail guard: I was fired over 911 call for sick teen (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/jail-guard-i-was-fired-over-911-call-1620756.html)

State juvenile justice administrators have a tape of a dying teen in custody in Palm Beach County. Two lockup workers have been fired and several others suspended.

By Carol Marbin Miller
Miami Herald

Updated: 11:55 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Posted: 3:06 p.m. Monday, July 18, 2011

(http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/multimedia/dynamic/00968/eric_perez_968241k.jpg)
Eric Perez was 18 when he died. Family photo

(http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/multimedia/dynamic/00967/eric_perez2_967876k.jpg)
Eric Perez Photo provided

A guard at the West Palm Beach juvenile detention center claims he was fired last Friday after he told state investigators he was forbidden to call 911 when a teenager complained of repeated severe headaches and vomited for hours. The teen, 18-year-old Eric Perez, died after authorities waited hours to seek medical attention.

Eric Perez's death at 8:09 a.m. on July 10 is under investigation by both the state Department of Juvenile Justice and West Palm Beach police. Since his death, the juvenile justice agency has fired two employees and suspended six others. DJJ administrators have declined to discuss Eric's death, citing the ongoing investigations.

The guard, Officer Floyd Powell, a five-year DJJ employee, said through an attorney Monday morning that he was terminated "after disclosing to state investigators that he was ordered not to call 911."

"This guy desperately wanted to call 911," his attorney, Cathy L. Purvis Lively, told The Miami Herald. "He was told, No, you are not to do that."

Powell could not make the call on his own, Lively said. The "module" where Powell oversaw several detained youth did not contain a telephone, and Powell could not reach a telephone without walking away from his post — and leaving other youth unsupervised.

DJJ administrators did not tell Powell why he was being fired, Lively said, only that he was technically still on probation, and, therefore, without any protections. Powell had been promoted in recent months, and so technically on probation for the higher position.

Samadhi Jones, a DJJ spokeswoman in Tallahassee, declined to discuss Lively's claims Monday morning, but added the department may have additional information later in the day.

Powell, his lawyer said, will be seeking damages from the state for his "wrongful termination."

Lawyers for Eric's mother, Maritza Perez, said Monday that Eric had been vomiting for perhaps seven hours, and complaining of a severe headache, before he died. "A critically ill young man had all the signs of a severe head injury — a headache and vomiting. They put him in a room and left him alone and unmonitored," said Richard D. Schuler, a West Palm Beach attorney. "These folks have no medical training — far from it."

Both Schuler and Lively said that guards at the lockup also tried to get a nurse to examine the teen, but the nurse failed to respond to two phone calls.

Eric's death is eerily similar to the death of a 17-year-old, Omar Paisley, who died in June 2003 at the Miami-Dade Juvenile Detention Center.

On June 9, 2003, Omar died of a ruptured appendix after he had pleaded with both guards, supervisors and nurses for three days to see a doctor. Records and testimony from both legislative hearings and a criminal investigation showed that guards had sought permission to call for an ambulance, but were not allowed by their supervisors.

Following Omar's death, DJJ administrators announced a series of sweeping changes to lockup medical care throughout the state. Among the policies: any guard, supervisor, or even volunteer was give absolute authority to call for an ambulance.

Dale Dobular, who was superintendent of the Miami lockup for almost four years after Omar died, remembers designing a poster that administrators ordered be hung in every DJJ facility across the state. The poster clearly stated that lower-level employees need not seek permission to call 911, Dobular said.

By the time Dobular left the Miami lockup in the summer of 2008, however, he felt that many of the protections put in place after Omar's death already had begun to erode.

"One of the reasons I left was because I didn't feel like I could guarantee the safety of the kids in that facility because services continued to get cut," Dobular told The Miami Herald.

"I felt that it would take another Paisley before the agency recognized it could happen again."


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Comments: "Guard: I was fired over 911 call for sick teen"
Post by: Ursus on July 29, 2011, 08:10:36 PM
Comments (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/jail-guard-i-was-fired-over-911-call-1620756.html) left for the above article, "Jail guard: I was fired over 911 call for sick teen (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403039#p403034)" (by Carol Marbin Miller; July 18, 2011; Miami Herald/Palm Beach Post), #s 1-20:


af · 3:40 PM, 7/18/2011
reggie · 3:49 PM, 7/18/2011
missourigirl · 4:00 PM, 7/18/2011
............ · 4:07 PM, 7/18/2011
jac · 4:23 PM, 7/18/2011
yada yada · 4:34 PM, 7/18/2011
Barbie · 4:42 PM, 7/18/2011
Kevin · 4:49 PM, 7/18/2011
r.c · 4:51 PM, 7/18/2011
Jonna · 4:55 PM, 7/18/2011
Sue · 4:55 PM, 7/18/2011
SheliaJoy · 4:55 PM, 7/18/2011
mark · 4:58 PM, 7/18/2011
Rachel Wise · 4:59 PM, 7/18/2011
? · 5:07 PM, 7/18/2011
Brian O'Donaghey · 5:08 PM, 7/18/2011
Watersisland · 5:09 PM, 7/18/2011
Gail · 5:13 PM, 7/18/2011
david · 5:15 PM, 7/18/2011
audio · 5:16 PM, 7/18/2011


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Comments: "Guard: I was fired over 911 call for sick teen"
Post by: Ursus on July 29, 2011, 08:14:26 PM
Comments (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/jail-guard-i-was-fired-over-911-call-1620756.html) left for the above article, "Jail guard: I was fired over 911 call for sick teen (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403039#p403034)" (by Carol Marbin Miller; July 18, 2011; Miami Herald/Palm Beach Post), #s 21-40:


Joanne · 5:16 PM, 7/18/2011
Brenda Wayne Wyatt · 5:42 PM, 7/18/2011
reality · 5:49 PM, 7/18/2011
reality · 5:51 PM, 7/18/2011
mike · 6:19 PM, 7/18/2011
pjay · 6:32 PM, 7/18/2011
corrupt state · 6:33 PM, 7/18/2011
Scubadannyc · 6:35 PM, 7/18/2011
Alexis · 8:22 PM, 7/18/2011
trajedy · 12:02 AM, 7/19/2011
trajedy · 12:11 AM, 7/19/2011
Lady Justice · 2:30 AM, 7/19/2011
Theresa · 9:26 AM, 7/19/2011
Theresa · 9:29 AM, 7/19/2011
Gwen · 10:07 AM, 7/19/2011
Rush · 10:16 AM, 7/19/2011
FLDOCGIRL · 10:47 AM, 7/19/2011
Xperienced w/system · 12:49 PM, 7/19/2011
Kristina · 1:37 PM, 7/19/2011
SANDRA · 4:47 PM, 7/19/2011


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Comments: "Guard: I was fired over 911 call for sick teen"
Post by: Ursus on July 29, 2011, 08:19:20 PM
Comments (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/jail-guard-i-was-fired-over-911-call-1620756.html) left for the above article, "Jail guard: I was fired over 911 call for sick teen (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403039#p403034)" (by Carol Marbin Miller; July 18, 2011; Miami Herald/Palm Beach Post), #s 41-46:


nanci · 5:59 PM, 7/19/2011
nanci · 6:04 PM, 7/19/2011
Alexis · 9:09 PM, 7/19/2011
Toni · 10:04 PM, 7/19/2011
Alexis · 10:04 PM, 7/19/2011
Angela · 4:38 PM, 7/20/2011


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Guardia: 'Me echaron por llamar al 911'
Post by: Ursus on July 29, 2011, 10:21:39 PM
Here's the Spanish version of the above article (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403041#p403034):

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

El Nuevo Herald
Publicado el martes, 07.19.11

Guardia: 'Me echaron por llamar al 911' (http://http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/07/19/986247/guardia-alega-despido-injustificado.html)

CAROL MARBIN MILLER
[email protected]

Un guardia del Centro de Detención Juvenil de West Palm Beach afirma que fue despedido el viernes pasado después que informó a investigadores estatales que se le prohibió llamar al 911 cuando un adolescente se quejó de repetidos y fuertes dolores de cabeza, además de haber vomitado varias veces. Eric Pérez, de 18 años, murió después que las autoridades esperaron varias horas para pedir atención médica.

La muerte de Pérez el 10 de julio a las 8:09 a.m. es objeto de una investigación del Departamento de Justicia Juvenil de la Florida (DJJ) y de la Policía de West Palm Beach. Desde su muerte, la DJJ ha despedido a dos empleados y suspendido a seis. Las autoridades del DJJ se han negado a hablar sobre la muerte de Eric alegando que la investigación no ha concluido.

El guardia, Floyd Powell, que trabajó en el DJJ 5 cinco años, dijo el lunes a través de una abogada que fue despedido "después de revelar a los investigadores estatales que se le ordenó no llamar al 911".

"Este hombre estaba desesperado por llamar al 911", declaró la abogada, Cathy L. Purvis Lively, a The Miami Herald.

"Se le dijo: No, usted no va a hacer eso".

Powell no pudo hacer la llamada por su propia cuenta, dijo Lively. El módulo donde Powell supervisaba a varios jóvenes no tenía teléfono y Powell no podía alejarse de su puesto y dejar a los jóvenes sin supervisión.

Las autoridades del DJJ no le explicaron a Powell la razón de su despido, dijo Lively; sólo que estaba técnicamente en período de prueba. Powell fue promovido en los últimos meses, por lo que técnicamente estaba en período de prueba para el cargo mayor.

Samadhi Jones, portavoz del DJJ en Tallahassee, se negó a discutir las afirmaciones de Lively el lunes.

Powell, dijo su abogada, demandará al estado por daños y perjuicios por "despido injustificado".

Los abogados de la madre de Eric, Maritza Pérez, dijeron el lunes que Eric vomitó durante unas siete horas y se quejó de un fuerte dolor de cabeza antes de morir.

"El joven tenía todos los síntomas de una lesión cerebral grave: dolor de cabeza y vómitos. Lo colocaron en una habitación y lo dejaron solo y sin atención", dijo Richard D. Schuler, abogado de West Palm Beach. "Estas personas no tienen ninguna capacitación médica".

Tanto Schuler como Lively dijeron que los guardias de la cárcel también trataron que un enfermero examinara al adolescente, pero la persona no respondió a dos llamadas telefónicas.

La muerte de Eric es muy similar a la muerte de Omar Paisley, de 17 años, que murió en junio del 2003 en el Centro de Detención Juvenil de Miami-Dade.

El 9 de junio del 2003 Omar murió de una ruptura del apéndice después de haber suplicado a los guardias, supervisores y personal de enfermería durante tres días que lo llevaran al médico. Los registros y testimonios de las audiencias legislativas y de una investigación penal muestran que los guardias habían pedido permiso para llamar una ambulancia pero los supervisores no lo permitieron,

Después de la muerte de Omar, las autoridades del DJJ anunciaron cambios radicales en la atención médica de los centros de reclusión en todo el estado. Entre las nuevas normas, cualquier guardia, supervisor o incluso voluntarios tendría absoluta autoridad para llamar a una ambulancia.

Dale Dobular, que dirigió el centro de reclusión de Miami casi cuatro años después de la muerte de Omar, recuerda haber creado un cartel que las autoridades ordenaron colgar en todos los centros del DJJ en todo el estado, que establecía claramente que los empleados de menor nivel no tenían que pedir permiso para llamar al 911, dijo Dobular.

Pero Dobular dice que cuando dejó el centro de Miami, en el verano del 2008, muchas de las medidas establecidas después de la muerte de Omar ya habían comenzado a desaparecer.

"Una de las razones por las que me fui es que pensaba que no podía garantizar la seguridad de los muchachos en esas instalaciones, porque seguían reduciendo los servicios", dijo Dobular a The Miami Herald.

"Me pareció que iba a hacer falta otro Paisley antes que la organización reconociera que podría ocurrir de nuevo".


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comentarios: "Guardia: 'Me echaron por llamar al 911' "
Post by: Ursus on July 29, 2011, 10:32:19 PM
Comments (http://http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/07/19/986247/guardia-alega-despido-injustificado.html) left for the above article, "Guardia: 'Me echaron por llamar al 911' (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403034#p403041) " (by Carol Marbin Miller, 07.19.11, El Nuevo Herald), #s 1-20:


megamenvlad · 07/18/2011 09:07 PM
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normachina2005 · 07/19/2011 07:30 AM en respuesta a megamenvlad
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rashmiel · 07/18/2011 10:35 PM
normachina2005 · 07/19/2011 07:16 AM en respuesta a rashmiel
peterbetancourt · 07/19/2011 09:21 AM en respuesta a normachina2005
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elvergon1 · 07/19/2011 08:14 AM en respuesta a rashmiel
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normachina2005 · 07/19/2011 07:08 AM
david0521 · 07/19/2011 07:39 AM
Carlos Bauza, Desdemipantalla.com un blog de Carlos Bauza donde el escribir se convierte en una forma d · 07/19/2011 07:50 AM
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cublibre · 07/19/2011 10:24 AM en respuesta a Carlos Bauza
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cantarilla · 07/19/2011 10:27 AM
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lazel17 · 07/19/2011 10:38 AM


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comentarios: "Guardia: 'Me echaron por llamar al 911' "
Post by: Ursus on July 29, 2011, 10:38:13 PM
Comments (http://http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2011/07/19/986247/guardia-alega-despido-injustificado.html) left for the above article, "Guardia: 'Me echaron por llamar al 911' (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403034#p403041) " (by Carol Marbin Miller, 07.19.11, El Nuevo Herald), #s 21-22:


cublibre · 07/19/2011 10:50 AM
cantarilla · 07/19/2011 11:25 AM


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: West Palm Beach guard says he wanted to call 911 before...
Post by: Ursus on July 30, 2011, 10:45:59 AM
Video news footage at the below title link:

This article was also published on TCPalm.com on the 19th of July with a slightly different title: Guard says he was ordered not to call 911 before sick Fort Pierce teen died | Video (http://http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/jul/19/guard-says-he-was-ordered-not-to-call-911-before/) (video news footage also at that title link).

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Palm Beach Post

West Palm Beach guard says he wanted to call 911 before 18-year-old died at detention facility (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/crime/west-palm-beach-guard-says-he-wanted-to-1621816.html)

State juvenile justice administrators have a tape of a dying teen in custody in Palm Beach County. Two lockup workers have been fired and several others suspended.

BY JULIUS WHIGHAM II
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Updated: 11:54 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Posted: 9:49 p.m. Monday, July 18, 2011

(http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/multimedia/dynamic/00968/perez_968852k.jpg)
Maritza Perez, the mother of Eric Perez, at a press conference Monday afternoon. (Damon Higgins/The Palm Beach Post)

(http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/multimedia/dynamic/00969/attorney_969032k.jpg)
Richard Schuler, the attorney for Maritza Perez, speaks to the media Monday afternoon during a press conference. (Damon Higgins/The Palm Beach Post)

(http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/multimedia/dynamic/00968/eric_perez_968241k.jpg)
Eric Perez was 18 when he died. Family photo

(http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/multimedia/dynamic/00967/eric_perez2_967876k.jpg)
Eric Perez Photo provided

A guard who was on duty when an 18-year-old died at a West Palm Beach juvenile detention center stepped forward today, saying that he was ordered not to call 911 when he thought something was wrong.

Attorneys for officer Floyd Powell said that at least two supervisors gave a directive not to call 911, although Powell suspected that Eric Perez needed medical attention. However, state officials said that Powell and another officer on duty, were fired because they did not call 911.

Perez, who turned 18 this month, died the morning of July 10 while in custody at the state-run Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center on 45th Street.

Powell, speaking through his attorneys, said that he was fired after disclosing to state investigators that he was ordered not to call 911. Four other officers were suspended in the wake of the investigation.

"The direction was that he was not to call 911," Powell's attorney, Cathy L. Purvis Lively said this afternoon. "In order to do so, Mr. Powell would have had to have left the (holding area) where he was responsible. There was not a phone directly in the (area), and he is prohibited from having a mobile phone on his person while he was on duty."

Powell, who was a five-year employee of the State Department of Juvenile Justice, was recently promoted and was told that he was dismissed because he did not meet the terms of his probationary status with the new position, Lively said.

He is seeking damages for wrongful termination, she said.

In a prepared statement, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters said officers Powell and Terence D. Davis were terminated because "we cannot tolerate staff not following policies and procedures, especially as it relates to the medical care of youth in our custody,"

In the meantime, an attorney for Perez's family alleges that the teen repeatedly complained of headaches and vomited for seven hours while awaiting medical attention.

"It doesn't take a genius to realize this is a very serious condition," Richard Schuler, the attorney for Perez's family, said. "When the young man was finally taken back to the medical detention holding area, which was basically just a bare room and put there, no one was called there. Someone was told to stand guard out front and later on, that person wasn't even there."

Schuler said that based on conversations with one of the fired employees, there was a flagrant violation of rules and standards by the detention center's employees.

"We don't know, because the investigation hasn't been completed, exactly what the time sequences are," Schuler said during a press conference today with Perez's mother, Maritza Perez. "But we suspect that he was left alone in that room to die by himself without any medical care whatsoever."

DJJ officials did not immediately respond to Schuler's allegation.

Maritza Perez said that she was hoping to find answers as to why her son died. Perez said during initial conversations, investigators told her that Eric died of a sudden illness. A lieutenant from the detention center said Eric had an enlarged heart and had bleeding in his brain, Perez said. A representative from the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's office indicated his office needed to examine Eric's lungs, she said.

But Perez said today that she believes her son's death could possibly have been avoided.

"Why do they have to go through this? Why do they have to die?" she said at the law office of Schuler, Halvorson and Weisser. "My son didn't have to die like this. They could have done something to help him out. If a kid complains about a headache, why couldn't they take care of it (or) pay attention to it?"

Perez said she wants other families to avoid having to deal with similar circumstances.

"I just want justice, that's all," she said. "I want other kids not to go through what my son went through."

Schuler said that any litigation on the family's behalf would be pending the outcome of autopsy results and the state's investigation, which could take up to six months.

Schuler and child advocates say the case reminds them of the death of Omar Paisley, a 17-year-old who died of a ruptured appendix in June 2003 while in DJJ custody. Wracked by excruciating pains, Paisley suffered for three days as his condition went untreated, his cries for help ignored by guards and nurses at the Miami juvenile jail.

The case led to sweeping reforms at the Department of Juvenile Justice, spurred the departure of more than 20 employees. It resulted in criminal charges for two nurses and a more than $1 million payment for Paisley's family.

"This seems to be a déjà vu event here," Schuler said. "A very similar situation occurred down at the juvenile detention center in Dade County . . . This was eight years ago. There were rules and regulations that were put in effect at that time as result of that event that were put in effect today that were ignored."

Staff Writer Michael LaForgia contributed to this report.

User comments are not being accepted on this article.


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Officials failed to call 911 when teen fell ill
Post by: Ursus on July 30, 2011, 06:20:41 PM
The Associated Press encapsulation of events:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Miami Herald
Posted on Tuesday, 07.19.11

Officials failed to call 911 when teen fell ill (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/19/2320297/officials-failed-to-call-911-when.html)

The Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- State juvenile justice officials say guards and supervisors at a West Palm Beach facility did not seek emergency help when a teen in their care became seriously ill.

Department of Juvenile Justice spokeswoman Samadhi Jones confirmed Monday that 911 was never called July 10 as 18-year-old Eric Perez suffered in pain and eventually died.

Officials say Superintendent Anthony Flowers was among four employees who were suspended last week. The department also fired two other employees.

Jones says it is the department's policy to call 911 during a medical crisis.

One of the fired guards, 35-year-old Floyd Powell told The Miami Herald he was forbidden by a supervisor to call 911. He says the teen was screaming that his head hurt and had vomited for several hours.

Information from: The Miami Herald, http://www.herald.com (http://www.herald.com)


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: West Palm Beach jail staff failed to call 911 before teen di
Post by: Ursus on July 30, 2011, 06:24:36 PM
Here's the aforementioned (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403060#p403034) expanded/updated Miami Herald piece by Carol Marbin Miller...

This article was also published by the Sun-Sentinel on the same date with a slightly different title: West Palm jail staff failed to call 911 before teen died, officials say (http://http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/mh-death-tape-folo-20110718,0,7770051.story). No pics at that link, though.

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Miami Herald
Posted on Monday, 07.18.11

DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE
West Palm Beach jail staff failed to call 911 before teen died (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/18/2319516/jail-guard-i-was-fired-over-911.html)
 
State juvenile justice officials say staffers at the West Palm Beach lockup failed to call 911 when a teen in their care became deadly ill. The teen died hours later.

BY CAROL MARBIN MILLER
[email protected]

(http://http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2011/07/19/09/23/12zCMK.Em.56.jpg)
Maritza Perez, the mother of Eric Perez, at a press conference Monday afternoon. (Damon Higgins/The Palm Beach Post)

(http://http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2011/07/15/22/15/JUPuA.Em.56.jpg)
Eric Perez (Photo provided)

Florida juvenile justice administrators confirmed late Monday that guards and supervisors at a West Palm Beach lockup never sought emergency care for a teenager who suffered in pain for hours before he finally died.

As the Department of Juvenile Justice's investigation into the July 10 death of Eric Perez, 18, continued Monday, authorities revealed that the lockup's top administrator, Superintendent Anthony Flowers, was among four employees suspended last week. Another two employees, a guard and a supervisor, were fired.

"While the cause of death is yet unknown, it is clear that staff at the facility during the crisis did not contact 911 in accordance with DJJ policies and training," Samadhi Jones, a DJJ spokeswoman in Tallahassee, said in a statement Monday.

Jones declined to discuss any other aspects of Perez's death Monday.

DJJ Secretary Wansley Walters, a former head of Miami's juvenile assessment center, said in a prepared statement: "We took immediate action because we cannot tolerate staff not following policies and procedures, especially as it relates to the medical care of youth in our custody."

One of the two people fired in the incident, guard Floyd Powell, 35, told The Miami Herald on Monday he was fired after he disclosed to investigators that he was forbidden to call 911 when he became concerned for the teen, who was screaming that his head hurt and had vomited for several hours.

"I was going to call 911, but my supervisor looked at me in the face and said, 'He'll be fine. Don't call 911,' " Powell said.

Powell's one-page termination letter, provided to the newspaper late Monday under Florida's public records law, said only that Powell had failed to complete a probationary period.

Powell's lawyer, Cathy L. Purvis Lively of Lake Worth, said she will seek damages from the state for his "wrongful termination."

"This guy desperately wanted to call 911," Lively said. "He was told, No, you are not to do that."

Powell could not make the call on his own, Lively said, because the "module" where he oversaw several detained youth did not contain a telephone, and Powell could not reach a phone without walking away from his post and leaving other youth unsupervised. Guards are not allowed to bring their personal cell phones into the lockup.

And though Powell and other guards did notify an on-call nurse to see Eric, the nurse failed to return two messages, he said.

"I asked [Perez] 'What's going on?,' " Powell said. "He wasn't talking. He was crying out loud in pain."

Leaders of the Palm Beach Public Defender's office told The Herald late Monday that several other detainees in the B2 Module with Perez confirmed to their attorneys that Eric had pleaded for help for hours without success.

"It is our understanding that at least one child, and possibly more, tried to get assistance for this child," Public Defender Carey Haughwout said.

On the day she buried her son, Maritza Perez, 47, is still looking for answers. "I am devastated, absolutely devastated," she said.

"Everybody who was there shouldn't be there any more," she said. "They should have 24-hour, around-the-clock medical care for these kids. Period. .?.?. Just because a kid makes a mistake, he shouldn't have to pay for it with his life."

Perez, who had been arrested on a robbery charge and had turned 18 a few days before his death, was due to be released in a few days.

Haughwout, the West Palm Beach public defender, said she fears cutbacks in lockup staff may have contributed to Perez's death. In recent months, more than a dozen detention center employees had been laid off by the state. Though personnel at the lockup had declined, Haughwout said, the number of youth detained there did not. "That's a recipe for disaster," she said.

On the morning Perez died, Powell said he was working a double shift so that the lockup would have enough guards to patrol the facility. "There is some concern that they didn't have sufficient staff to be able to take [Eric] to the hospital," Haughwout said. "That doesn't excuse not calling an ambulance."

Perez's death bears striking similarities to the 2003 death of an Opa-locka teenager that sent shock waves throughout the state.

On June 9, 2003, 17-year-old Omar Paisley died of a ruptured appendix after he had pleaded with guards and nurses at the Miami lockup for three days to see a doctor. Records and testimony from a criminal investigation and legislative hearings showed that guards had sought permission to call for an ambulance, but were thwarted by their supervisors.

Following Omar's death, DJJ administrators announced a series of sweeping changes to medical care in juvenile lockups. Among the policies: Any guard, supervisor, or even volunteer was given absolute authority to call for an ambulance.

Former state Sen. Dan Gelber, who blasted DJJ relentlessly following Omar's death as part of a legislative panel, called Eric's death yet "another chapter" in what he and other lawmakers then called the agency's "culture of neglect."

"Another child has been killed by bureaucratic indifference," said Gelber, a former prosecutor who lost his bid for Florida attorney general last year. "The state cannot take responsibility for children and then kill them."

Dale Dobular, who was superintendent of the Miami lockup for almost four years after Omar died, remembers designing a poster that administrators ordered to be hung in every DJJ facility across the state. The poster clearly stated that lower-level employees need not seek permission to call 911, Dobular said.

Powell insists no such posters remained at the lockup in West Palm Beach.

And by the time Dobular left the Miami lockup in the summer of 2008, he felt that many of the protections put in place after Omar's death already had begun to erode.

"One of the reasons I left was because I didn't feel like I could guarantee the safety of the kids in that facility, because services continued to get cut," Dobular said. "I felt that it would take another Paisley before the agency recognized it could happen again."


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "West Palm Beach jail staff failed to call 911..."
Post by: Ursus on July 30, 2011, 06:52:45 PM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/18/2319516/jail-guard-i-was-fired-over-911.html) left for the above article, "West Palm Beach jail staff failed to call 911 before teen died (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403062#p403062)" (by Carol Marbin Miller, 07.18.11, The Miami Herald), #s 1-20:


jokyla · 07/18/2011 02:52 PM
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Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "West Palm Beach jail staff failed to call 911..."
Post by: Ursus on July 30, 2011, 07:02:35 PM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/18/2319516/jail-guard-i-was-fired-over-911.html) left for the above article, "West Palm Beach jail staff failed to call 911 before teen died (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403062#p403062)" (by Carol Marbin Miller, 07.18.11, The Miami Herald), #s 21-38:


Gossamer · 07/18/2011 04:34 PM
constructionqueen · 07/18/2011 04:34 PM
HarleyRider · 07/19/2011 12:26 AM
HarleyRider · 07/19/2011 12:31 AM
lydiawowsw · 07/19/2011 02:12 AM
aaava · 07/19/2011 05:05 AM
h8tm3 · 07/19/2011 07:10 AM
Jakezman · 07/19/2011 08:00 AM
Esauhound · 07/19/2011 08:44 AM
odalys2004 · 07/19/2011 09:59 AM
commonsenseless101 · 07/19/2011 11:18 AM
Stephanie Severs · 07/19/2011 11:28 AM
th3realtruth · 07/19/2011 11:36 AM
prophetctl · 07/19/2011 11:47 AM
InsuranceBabe · 07/19/2011 12:27 PM
reedpelosi · 07/19/2011 03:29 PM
america941 · 07/19/2011 11:20 PM
Kiernan Moran · 07/20/2011 10:49 PM


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Detention center staff slow to respond to distraught teen
Post by: Ursus on July 30, 2011, 09:29:21 PM
Okay, one more about the tremendous reticence on the part of West Palm Beach detention center staff to call 911... This one gives a pretty chilling blow by blow account of Eric Perez's last moments.

Considering that the call was not made 'till they "barely felt a pulse" (according to the person who checked on him), and the paramedic response team took less than 15 minutes to get there, at which point Eric Perez was already dead, one has to wonder... Did they wait until Eric had died, before they made that call?

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The Palm Beach Post

Detention center staff slow to respond to distraught teen (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/detention-center-staff-slow-to-respond-to-distraught-1625776.html)

BY MICHAEL LAFORGIA
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Updated: 8:50 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Posted: 10:49 p.m. Tuesday, July 19, 2011

(http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/multimedia/dynamic/00971/ericperez_971640k.jpg)
Eric Perez The Palm Beach Post

WEST PALM BEACH — Eric Perez was awake in the night and crying out, struggling with someone - real or imagined - inside his cell at the state's jail for children on the city's north side.

"Get him off of me!" the 18-year-old screamed. "Get him off of me!"

These details appeared in a confidential incident report obtained Tuesday by The Palm Beach Post, the fullest narrative yet of the events that preceded Perez's death July 10.

It was the 13th time since 1998 that a child has died in the custody of Florida's Department of Juvenile Justice. The death has spurred separate, still-ongoing investigations by DJJ and West Palm Beach police.

Perez's death also resulted in the firing of two jail employees and the suspension of four others, including Superintendent Anthony Flowers, pending the outcome of the in-house probe.

Before he died, Perez's cries for help didn't draw an immediate, coordinated response from the jailers on duty outside his cell. There was only one guard stationed there, according to a source familiar with the jail's inner workings, and the rest of the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center on 45th Street was woefully understaffed in the last hours of Perez's life.

It wasn't the first time the state had failed to fully staff the jail, records show. A DJJ inspection report completed in February noted that, of the detention center's 27 positions, 14 were vacant. It was the lowest staffing level at the jail in at least 2 ½ years.

On the night Perez died, fewer than 40 of the center's 93 beds were occupied, the source said.

Alone with the kids in the lockup's B-2 Module, weary from a schedule that regularly included 16-hour shifts, officer Floyd Powell did the only thing he could, Powell's attorney, Cathy Purvis Lively, said Monday. He called his supervisor, Terence D. Davis, and waited anxiously for Davis to make a judgment call.

At about 1:25 a.m., Davis opened the door to Room 11 and found a dazed and frantic Perez inside. Davis asked him what was wrong.

"I can't hear you," was the prisoner's reply, according to the report. Then the teenager stopped answering questions. He started repeating "Get him off of me!" over and over.

The supervisor led Perez out of the two-person cell, the report said. He left a roommate behind. "He kind of stumbled out of his cell to the dayroom and sat on the floor," the report said.

Davis sent another officer to check Perez's medical files. They showed no history of problems. Instead of calling the jail's superintendent, or contacting the doctor hired to care for kids in state custody, Davis arranged for Perez to sleep outside his cell, "so staff could monitor him," the incident report said. He left Perez on the dayroom floor.

That decision accounted for one reason that Davis was fired on Thursday, according to his DJJ dismissal letter. It also cited his failure to call 911.

Perez slept about 20 minutes before he stirred and vomited a "liquid-like substance," the report said. Davis returned to find the prisoner sick on the floor. He had staffers call a nurse, Diana Heras, but Heras never returned the call, records show.

Instead of dialing 911, the jailers offered Perez a soft drink. "Staff checked his breathing and gave him some Sprite to help settle his stomach," the report said, "and he went back to sleep."

Davis ordered Perez moved to a confinement cell and posted a guard out front to watch over him. "Mr. Davis stated that throughout the rest of the night he would go back to the (cell) periodically to check on the youth," the report said. "He appeared to be okay and slept peacefully for the rest of the night.

"At the end of the shift Officer Davis went back to the youth's cell to check on him," it continued. "He did not hear the youth snoring as he had been before."

Davis flung open the door and felt for the prisoner's neck and wrist. He barely felt a pulse, the report said.

By that point - 7:55 a.m., 6 ½ hours after Perez first got sick - Davis radioed the control room to call 911. The jailers tried to revive Perez with CPR until paramedics rushed in. The paramedics pronounced him dead at 8:10, a minute after they arrived.

The youth's mother, Maritza Perez, said that DJJ officials told her that Eric had an enlarged heart and bleeding in his brain.

DJJ spokeswoman Samadhi Jones declined to comment Tuesday. Davis could not be reached.

Like his supervisor, Powell was fired on Thursday. He said he plans to sue the state, alleging wrongful termination, his attorney said.

Discuss this story on Facebook (http://https://www.facebook.com/palmbeachpost/posts/111982215564614)

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Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Comments: "Detention center staff slow to respond..."
Post by: Ursus on July 30, 2011, 09:42:17 PM
Below comments are from the link at the end of the above article (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403066#p403066) re. discussion on Facebook:

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Comments (http://https://www.facebook.com/palmbeachpost/posts/111982215564614) left for the above article, "Detention center staff slow to respond to distraught teen (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403066#p403066)" (by Michael LaForgia; July 19, 2011; Palm Beach Post):


Janice Marie Herndon · July 20 at 6:02am
Tiffany Tip McKay · July 20 at 6:05am
Yale Brown · July 20 at 6:09am
Catherine Moaba Hall · July 20 at 6:12am
Eloise Thomas · July 20 at 6:15am
Mils Rastfari · July 20 at 6:28am
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Shay Malca · July 20 at 7:20am
Paul William Scott · July 20 at 9:03am
Yale Brown · July 20 at 9:22am
Catherine Moaba Hall · July 20 at 9:33am
Yale Brown · July 20 at 9:46am
Paul William Scott · July 20 at 10:12am
Catherine Moaba Hall · July 20 at 10:21am
Yale Brown · July 20 at 11:07am
Paul William Scott · July 20 at 11:28am
Yale Brown · July 20 at 12:53pm
Catherine Moaba Hall · July 21 at 12:50am


# #
Title: Jail guard fired after teen's death, suing for wrongful...
Post by: Ursus on July 31, 2011, 11:40:53 AM
West Palm Beach juvenile detention center guard Floyd Powell, who had wanted to, and tried to, but was unable to, call 911... was one of the two employees sacked for... not calling 911. He is now suing for wrongful termination.

Video news footage at the link:

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WPEC - CBS 12 News

Jail guard fired after teen's death, suing for wrongful termination (http://http://www.cbs12.com/news/beach-4733862-palm-center.html)

July 18, 2011 9:34 PM

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. -- We are learning more about the 18-year-old who died in a juvenile detention center in West Palm Beach. Monday we heard from the mother of Eric Perez and her lawyers. They say they have spoken with one of two Palm Beach Regional Detention center employees who lost their jobs.

The guard, Floyd Powell, says Perez complained of a severe headache and was vomiting for hours. Officer Powell says he wanted to call 9-1-1 but claims his supervisors would not let him make the call.

A statement from Officer Powell's attorney says, "Officer Powell was on duty the night of the tragic death of Eric Perez. Officer Powell attempted to call 9-1-1 and was given a direct order by a supervisor to not call 9-1-1. Officer Powell had been recently promoted and then suddenly terminated. Officer Powell was terminated from his position after disclosing to state investigators that he was ordered not to call 9-1-1. Mr. Powell and his counsel are seeking damages for his wrongful termination."

During a press conference on Monday Maritza Perez told CBS12 if you met her son you would like him.

"Every time I wake up, I just wake up thinking that he's right there, when I know he's not going to be there. If I'm down, he will bring me back up. He was my baby, you know. He was a good kid," Maritza Perez.

"There was a flagrant violation of the rules and standards that should have been employed in this juvenile detention facility. When you're screaming in pain from your head, and vomiting-- that's a pretty hard thing to fake. This is a situation when help was required to be called, and it wasn't done," said Richard Schuler, Perez family attorney.

The Department of Juvenile Justice declined comment because of the ongoing investigations into Eric's death.


Copyright © 2011 Freedom Communications · CBS 12 News
Title: Comments: "Jail guard fired after teen's death, suing for...
Post by: Ursus on July 31, 2011, 11:46:05 AM
Comment (http://http://www.cbs12.com/news/beach-4733862-palm-center.html) left for the above article, "Jail guard fired after teen's death, suing for wrongful termination (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403074#p403072)" (July 18, 2011; WPEC - CBS 12 News):


Debbie Abdelnour · July 19 at 7:11am


Copyright © 2011 Freedom Communications · CBS 12 News
Title: Former guard plans to sue the state
Post by: Ursus on July 31, 2011, 11:57:12 AM
Video news footage at the title link:

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NEWS CHANNEL 5 — WPTV

Former guard plans to sue the state (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/state/former-guard-plans-to-sue-the-state)

Posted: 07/18/2011
By: Mike Trim

(http://http://media2.wptv.com//photo/2011/07/18/Deceased_juveniles_mot3920f269-17b4-4dde-8664-bcf172bb6f1a0000_20110718185408_320_240.JPG)
Photographer: WPTV
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.

Fired in the wake of a teenager's death at a West Palm Beach juvenile detention center, a former guard plans to sue the state.

Former Palm Beach Regional Detention center officer Flloyd Powell plans to sue under Florida’s Whistleblower Act.

He has retained Lake Worth attorney Cathy Lively as his lawyer.

"I was given a directive order from my supervisor not to call 911 and that's it," said Powell.

Powell said he was on guard duty in an area with several juvenile detention rooms with a common area in the middle.

That's where Powell says he saw Perez violently vomiting at about 2:15 a.m., roughly 5 hours before he died.

Powell says he wanted to call 911, but his boss ordered him to not call.

Powell added detention officers aren’t allowed to carry cell phones.

He says another officer left two voicemails with an on-call nurse and then called the center's superintendent who allegedly said not to call 911 as well, but instead watch Perez closely.

Perez fell asleep, according to Powell, and then, more than 3 hours later, he was allegedly taken to a medical confinement room.

At some point after that, Perez died.

When asked about his termination, Powell said, "I feel upset and sad at the same time."

Powell said after Perez died, investigators asked him questions.

He says he told them about being instructed not to call 911.

A few days later, Powell was fired.

Powell said was told he hadn't completed his probationary period for his new promotion properly. He said was promoted 6 months prior to Perez's death.

He also said he was an employee at the detention center for 5 years.

In all, six detention center staffers were placed on leave after Perez's death.

Two, including Powell, were fired..


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Comments: "Former guard plans to sue the state"
Post by: Ursus on July 31, 2011, 12:01:21 PM
Comments (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/state/former-guard-plans-to-sue-the-state) left for the above article, "Former guard plans to sue the state (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403076#p403075)" (by Mike Trim, 07/18/2011, News Channel 5 - WPTV):


Jodi Shortle-Colberg · Last Week
Erich Werner · Last Week


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Former detention center guard says he was prevented from...
Post by: Ursus on July 31, 2011, 12:07:59 PM
Video news footage at the title link:

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WPEC - CBS 12 News

Former detention center guard says he was prevented from calling 9-1-1 (http://http://www.cbs12.com/news/former-4733886-guard-juvenile.html)

July 19, 2011 5:46 PM

WEST PALM BEACH , Fla. -- The state released documents about the employees who were fired or placed on leave because of the death of 17-year-old Eric Perez while in custody at the West Palm Beach Detention Center. A lawyer for the fired guard disputes contentions by the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Monday Eric's mother and her attorney told CBS 12 before his death Eric complained of a severe headache and was vomiting for hours.

So far the Juvenile Detention Center has fired two employees, supervisor Terence Davis and Officer Floyd Powell, and suspended four others. The Department of Juvenile Justice says the firings were for failing to call 9-1-1.

In a statement issued Monday night the Department of Juvenile Justice says "Floyd Powell and Terence D. Davis have been terminated for failing to call 9-1-1, in accordance with their training and clearly posted DJJ policies."

Reached by phone, Cathy Lively the attorney representing fired Officer Floyd Powell, said her client wanted to call 9-1-1 to get Eric help but was prevented from calling.

"Floyd Powell had no access to a telephone at that time. There was no land phone in the mod area. And he was prohibited from carrying a mobile phone.," said attorney Cathy Lively.

Lively says when Powell tried to go to central command to call 9-1-1 the supervisor told him not to go. Lively says the superintendent backed up the supervisor's order.

"Mr. Powell wanted to call 9-1-1, but was directed not to do so by supervisory personnel. So he was terminated for following a direct order," said Lively.

Lively says she plans legal action on behalf of her client.


Copyright © 2011 Freedom Communications · CBS 12 News
Title: Death at Palm Beach Juvie Jail Came During "Severe Overcrowd
Post by: Ursus on July 31, 2011, 07:53:58 PM
Here's another piece from the Broward-Palm Beach New Times blog, The Daily Pulp:

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The Daily Pulp

CRIME
Death at Palm Beach Juvie Jail Came During "Severe Overcrowding" at State Lockups (http://http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2011/07/eric_perez_death_palm_beach_juvenile_jail_overcrowding.php)

By Lisa Rab · Tue., Jul. 19 2011 at 11:48 AM
Categories: Crime, Law & Order

(http://http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/Thompson%20cover%20image-thumb-200x214.jpg)
Overcrowding has become a problem in some lockups.

Eric Perez's mother has been given many reasons why her 18-year-old son died ten days ago at a juvenile jail in West Palm Beach. He woke up one morning hallucinating, complaining of a headache, and vomiting. He may have had breathing problems, an enlarged heart, or a stroke, according to the Miami Herald (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/14/2316519_p2/teens-death-in-west-palm-beach.html). But staffers at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Center did not call 911 for help. One staffer alleges his supervisor told him not to call (http://http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/mh-death-tape-folo-20110718,0,7770051.story).

As authorities continue to investigate Perez's death, one thing is certain: Perez died at a time when some state-run juvenile lockups are overcrowded and less safe than usual, according to an official at a Broward jail.

On June 13, a month before Perez died, Broward Regional Juvenile Detention Center supervisor Daryl Wolf wrote an email to Gordon Weekes Jr., chief assistant public defender in Broward, outlining the problem. Wolf said an unknown number of teenagers were being transferred from Broward to Palm Beach and Miami lockups "due to severe overcrowding, creating a safety and security concern."

In early June, Weekes learned that girls at the Broward detention center were being forced to sleep on the floor of a multipurpose room so their dorm beds could be used for an influx of new male residents. "This is unacceptable and should never have been allowed to occur," Weekes wrote in a letter to state Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters.

Wolf fixed the sleeping situation but then told Weekes that teenagers would be transferred to other lockups -- such as the one where Perez died -- to ease overcrowding.

Thanks to state-mandated budget cuts, five juvenile jails in Florida were slated to be shut down this summer. While advocates for troubled teens heralded the closing of residential facilities in favor of more community-based programs, the transition has clearly been bumpy, with teenagers being shifted among crowded lockups.

"This is how they [officials at the state Department of Juvenile Justice] manage things. They don't plan; they just act without considering how the children within their care are impacted," Weekes says.

Tags: death, Eric Perez, juvenile detention center, overcrowding, West Palm Beach


©2011 New Times BPB, LLC.
Title: Others come forward after teen's death at a detention center
Post by: Ursus on July 31, 2011, 08:21:31 PM
Video news footage at the title link:

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NEWS CHANNEL 5 — WPTV

Others come forward after teen's death at a detention center (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/others-come-forward-after-teen%27s-death-at-a-detention-center)

Posted: 07/19/2011
By: Rochelle Ritchie

(http://http://media2.wptv.com//photo/2011/07/16/xjuvie_20110716072824_320_240.JPG)
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A teen who died in juvenile detention has prompted others to come forward with allegations of negligence and unfair treatment while under the supervision of guards at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

One teenager stepping forward says he went to school with Eric Perez and also spent time in the same detention center where Perez was found dead in a medical confinement room.

He says he is sad one of his friends is no longer living, but is not surprised at the neglect he suffered at those responsible for his care.

Perez's death at the detention center has prompted a state investigation.

"The tent is real crooked," says the teen who also spent time at the detention center. He does not want his identity revealed.

The tent, he says, is a nickname for the center. He says he suffers from chronic asthma and recalls needing help when he was inside.

"When I've had headaches when I felt sick, I've been told to just sleep it off," he says.

The teenager says he knew Perez as a kid who did what he had to do in order to survive.

"I saw Eric struggle many times so he could eat. He fought for a reason and it was to survive," he says.

Alleged wrongdoing ultimately landed Perez in the detention center, where he would die. He was overcome by a sudden illness and allegedly left without medical care for hours.

"We don't got nobody protecting us," says the teen. "I got my whole eye split open and a guard was looking through the window talking about "f" him up."

The problems were supposed to be fixed years ago.

In 2003, 17-year-old Omar Paisley died from a ruptured appendix at the Miami-Dade Regional Juvenile Detention Center after being denied medical attention.

A grand jury investigation of that Miami-Dade center found incompetence, ambivalence and negligence.

The Perez family attorney, Richard Schuler, says Paisley's death led to changes in how staff were trained and required to respond to sick juveniles. Schuler argues training was forgotten when Perez became severely ill--vomiting and suffering from a severe headache.

"There were rules and regulations put in place at that time and are in effect today and they were ignored," says Schuler.

And the teen who does not want to be identified fears what may happen if he winds up in the detention center again.

"So what, I'm going to die next because they don't want to take care of me?" he says.

A statement from the Department of Juvenile Justice says, "D.J.J. does not tolerate staff compromising the health and safety of youth in our care."

They also say, "the center is to provide youth immediate and unrestricted access to the statewide child abuse hot-line."


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Comments: "Others come forward after teen's death..."
Post by: Ursus on July 31, 2011, 08:27:02 PM
Comments (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/others-come-forward-after-teen%27s-death-at-a-detention-center) left for the above article, "Others come forward after teen's death at a detention center (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403093#p403093)" (by Rochelle Ritchie, 07/19/2011, News Channel 5 - WPTV):


Shea Fink · Last Week
Erich Werner · Last Week


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Similarities drawn between two juvenile center deaths
Post by: Ursus on July 31, 2011, 08:42:11 PM
Video news footage at the title link:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

NEWS CHANNEL 5 — WPTV

Similarities drawn between two juvenile center deaths (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/similarities-drawn-between-two-juvenile-center-deaths)
911 call rule changes possibly not used

Posted: 07/19/2011
By: Mike Trim

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Similarities are being drawn between a 2003 teenager's death, a Miami-Dade juvenile detention center, and 18 year old Eric Perez's death in Palm Beach County.

Omar Paisley died in 03' from a ruptured appendix that went untreated for days at a Miami-Dade juvenile detention facility.

The aftermath of his death was supposed to change the juvenile detention system.

"It would have been a double tragedy to have made the same mistake yet again," said former Florida state senator David Aronberg.

Aronberg remembers watching fellow lawmakers pushing for sweeping reform in 2003, after Paisley's death.

An investigation revealed that detention center guards said they were told by their supervisors not to call 9-1-1 for Paisley, even though they asked if they could.

A Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center officer says he was told not to call 9-1-1 as Eric Perez vomited violently on July 10th.

Perez died that morning.

After Paisley's death, however, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or DJJ, gave permission to any detention center worker to call 9-1-1, without supervisor's permission.

The DJJ isn't releasing any information until its internal investigation is complete.

Aronberg said the juvenile system was underfunded in 2003 and is now as well.

He hopes lessons learned will help save lives.

"We need to continue to evaluate what's working and what's not and let's at least, at the very least make sure that the tragedies that occurred in Miami-Dade County aren't replicated here in Palm Beach County," said Aronberg.

The Department of Juvenile Justice placed posters reminding workers of the 9-1-1 call rules after Paisley's death.

The guard in Perez's case said he didn't see any posters in the entire West Palm Beach facility.
 

Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Omar Paisley - R.I.P. (2003)
Post by: Ursus on July 31, 2011, 08:56:00 PM
From the just above article, "Similarities drawn between two juvenile center deaths (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403096#p403095)":

Similarities are being drawn between a 2003 teenager's death, a Miami-Dade juvenile detention center, and 18 year old Eric Perez's death in Palm Beach County.

Omar Paisley died in 03' from a ruptured appendix that went untreated for days at a Miami-Dade juvenile detention facility.[/list][/size]
Here are some links regarding the Omar Paisley case:

Title: Lockup has no medical staff at night, nurse says
Post by: Ursus on July 31, 2011, 10:12:30 PM
The Miami Herald
Posted on Tuesday, 07.19.11

JUVENILE JUSTICE
Lockup has no medical staff at night, nurse says (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/19/2321768/lockup-has-no-medical-staff-at.html)
 
The state's juvenile justice chief said budget constraints were not a factor in last week's death at a juvenile jail. But a nurse said the facility has no medical staffing at night.

BY CAROL MARBIN MILLER
[email protected]

(http://http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2011/07/19/22/55/h8hbP.Em.56.jpg)
Perez

After Omar Paisley died of a burst appendix in a Miami-Dade juvenile lockup eight years ago, juvenile justice administrators announced sweeping reforms, including on-site medical care around the clock at the Miami facility.

When Eric Perez died Sunday, July 10 at the Palm Beach County juvenile jail, there were no doctors or nurses on duty, according to the nurse jailers say they tried in vain to reach.

"Nobody works there at night," Diana Heras said of lockup medical staff. "There is no state funding for night nurses for any night of the week. They do not have a nurse who works at that ... facility on the night shift, and they do not work weekends."

Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters, at the helm for just half a year when 18-year-old Eric perished at the West Palm Beach lockup, said Florida's historic budget woes — which prompted lawmakers to trim tens of millions in juvenile justice spending this year — are not to blame for his death last week.

Medical care at the lockup is overseen by a private entity under contract with the state, but neither Walters nor Heras would name the healthcare provider Tuesday.

Since the youth's death from an as-of-yet undisclosed ailment, agency administrators and spokespeople have declined to discuss the incident in any detail. Walters, who headed Miami's well-regarded juvenile assessment center before accepting DJJ's top job, spoke for the first time Tuesday, though she still declined to discuss events leading to Eric's death.

Some of Eric's final agonizing hours — which began as early as 1:30 a.m. and ended with his 8:09 a.m. death — were captured on lockup videotape, DJJ administrators have confirmed. Walters' agency won't release the video depicting Eric's final hours, but sources say it doesn't bode well for the lockup staff.

The footage, sources told The Miami Herald, depicts Eric's limp body being dragged on a cot or mat from his room to a common area of the lockup and then back again — a sign that guards knew he was terribly ill and were worried he would infect other lockup detainees.

Palm Beach County's public defender, Carey Haughwout, suggested Monday that years worth of budget cuts may have contributed to last week's scandal. One of the guards on duty said he was working a double shift the day Eric, who was being held on a robbery charge, died. And Cathy Craig-Myers, who heads the Florida Juvenile Justice Association, said DJJ’s current spending plan, which took effect July 1, contains $77 million fewer dollars than last year's budget.

Walters said, however, that the trims have not affected safety or security at any of the state's 22 detention centers, as guards continue to patrol dormitories with scores of empty beds statewide.

Walters, who is generally regarded as a juvenile justice reformer, said her agency's procedures — many of which were put in place following Omar's 2003 appendicitis death — also were sufficient to protect Eric, had they been followed.

"The policies were there. The training was there. The posters were everywhere," Walters said, referring to signs that were posted in detention centers throughout the state in the wake of Omar's June 9, 2003 death. The posters reminded guards, supervisors and nurses that all facility staff was permitted to call 911 for a detainee in crisis — even without the permission of lockup chiefs.

Omar died after pleading with guards and nurses for three days for medical care. Guards later testified their bosses forbade them to call for an ambulance.

"This is certainly one thing I have prayed never would happen," Walters said of Eric's death.

Two West Palm lockup employees — a guard and a supervisor — were fired last week following Eric's death. In a heavily redacted letter to the supervisor, Terence Dayron Davis, that was released to The Herald, juvenile justice administrators said "any reasonable person...would have deemed this a medical emergency" and sought an ambulance.

"You failed to call 911," the July 11 letter states.

Davis could not be reached Tuesday for comment. On Monday, the fired guard, Floyd Powell, told The Herald he wanted desperately to call 911, but was told by both a supervisor and the lockup's now-suspended superintendent, Anthony Flowers, to call the nurse, Heras, for "guidance" instead. But she could not be reached.

Though Walters did not say so directly, she implied Tuesday that poor decision-making — not agency policy — was responsible for the youth's death.

"Changing the culture of the agency," Walters said, "is something that is critically important."

Miami Herald political writer Marc Caputo contributed to this report.


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Lockup has no medical staff at night, nurse says"
Post by: Ursus on July 31, 2011, 10:19:58 PM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/19/2321768/lockup-has-no-medical-staff-at.html) left for the above article, "Lockup has no medical staff at night, nurse says (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403102#p403101)" (by Carol Marbin Miller, 07.19.11, Miami Herald), #s 1-20:


mung · 07/19/2011 11:24 PM[/size]
biobot · 07/19/2011 11:58 PM[/size]
lindy60 · 07/20/2011 12:14 AM[/size]
Papi_Chulo · 07/20/2011 03:55 AM[/size]
billyjobob · 07/20/2011 06:20 AM[/size]
Myowneviltwin · 07/20/2011 09:18 AM in reply to billyjobob[/size]
cassiuscasio · 07/20/2011 02:46 PM in reply to Myowneviltwin[/size]
[/list][/list]
Ndn_nfl · 07/20/2011 07:43 AM[/size]
lucasMederos · 07/20/2011 08:32 AM[/size]
cassiuscasio · 07/20/2011 02:48 PM  in reply to lucasMederos[/size]
[/list]
soflaresident84 · 07/20/2011 03:19 PM in reply to lucasMederos[/size]
[/list]
rqf1313 · 07/20/2011 09:16 AM[/size]
oloruawe · 07/20/2011 11:17 AM[/size]
Nissey43 · 07/20/2011 11:21 AM[/size]
soflaresident84 · 07/20/2011 03:12 PM  in reply to Nissey43[/size]
komputerzrkool · 07/20/2011 05:15 PM  in reply to Nissey43[/size]
[/list]
Nissey43 · 07/20/2011 11:33 AM[/size]
soflaresident84 · 07/20/2011 03:11 PM  in reply to Nissey43[/size]
Nissey43 · 07/21/2011 09:46 AM in reply to soflaresident84[/size]
[/list][/list]
alejandro35 · 07/20/2011 12:54 PM[/size]


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Lockup has no medical staff at night, nurse says"
Post by: Ursus on July 31, 2011, 10:24:52 PM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/19/2321768/lockup-has-no-medical-staff-at.html) left for the above article, "Lockup has no medical staff at night, nurse says (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403102#p403101)" (by Carol Marbin Miller, 07.19.11, Miami Herald), #s 21-28:


cassiuscasio · 07/20/2011 02:45 PM[/size]
nur_1996 · 07/21/2011 01:27 AM in reply to cassiuscasio[/size]
[/list]
constructionqueen · 07/20/2011 04:37 PM[/size]
ilcd · 07/20/2011 05:38 PM[/size]
nur_1996 · 07/21/2011 01:21 AM[/size]
kool · 07/22/2011 01:46 AM[/size]
kool · 07/22/2011 01:51 AM[/size]
kool · 07/22/2011 01:52 AM[/size]


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Did FL government budget cuts contribute to boy's deat
Post by: Ursus on August 01, 2011, 10:17:00 AM
This piece comes from one of the Miami Herald blogs: Naked Politics. It links back to the above article, "Lockup has no medical staff at night, nurse says (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403103#p403101)."

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Miami Herald
NAKED POLITCS — "The raw truth about power and ambition in Florida"

Did FL government budget cuts contribute to boy's death in DJJ lockup? (http://http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2011/07/did-fl-government-budget-cuts-contribute-to-boys-death-in-djj-lockup.html#tp)

After Omar Paisley died of a burst appendix in a Miami-Dade juvenile lockup eight years ago, juvenile justice administrators announced sweeping reforms, including on-site medical care around the clock at the Miami facility.

When Eric Perez died Sunday, July10 at the Palm Beach County juvenile jail, there were no doctors or nurses on duty, according to the nurse jailers say they tried in vain to reach.

"Nobody works there at night," Diana Heras said of lockup medical staff. "There is no state funding for night nurses for any night of the week. They do not have a nurse who works at that ... facility on the night shift, and they do not work weekends."

Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters, at the helm for just half a year when 18-year-old Eric perished at the West Palm Beach lockup, said Florida's historic budget woes — which prompted lawmakers to trim tens of millions in juvenile justice spending this year — are not to blame for his death last week.

Full story here (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/19/2321768/lockup-has-no-medical-staff-at.html#ixzz1SeYgRSKa)

Posted by Marc Caputo on July 20, 2011 in Florida State Budget


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Did FL government budget cuts contribute to boy's
Post by: Ursus on August 01, 2011, 10:21:38 AM
Comment (http://http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2011/07/did-fl-government-budget-cuts-contribute-to-boys-death-in-djj-lockup.html#tp) left for the above piece, "Did FL government budget cuts contribute to boy's death in DJJ lockup? (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403113#p403112)" (by Marc Caputo; July 20, 2011; Miami Herald - Naked Politics):


Posted by: Debca | July 22, 2011 at 02:08 PM


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: In teen's death, lack of money is no excuse for lack of...
Post by: Ursus on August 01, 2011, 10:53:19 AM
Published later the same day, a Miami Herald Opinion piece by Fred Grimm...


[See also previous post (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&start=45#p403096) with some links to discussion re. the Omar Paisley case.]

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Miami Herald
Posted on Wednesday, 07.20.11

IN MY OPINION
In teen’s death, lack of money is no excuse for lack of caring (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/20/2323350/in-teens-death-lack-of-money-is.html)

BY FRED GRIMM
[email protected]

(http://http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2011/07/15/22/15/JUPuA.Em.56.jpg)
Eric Perez

No need to empanel a grand jury to investigate the last few hours of Eric Perez, who was left to die in a Palm Beach County juvenile lock-up; sick, vomiting, crying for help, unattended by the medical staff.

A grand jury has already investigated circumstances matching young Eric's July 10 death so closely that another effort would just seem redundant.

Might as well just replace the names and dates and location in the grand jury report on the "tragically preventable death" of Omar Paisley at the Miami-Dade Regional Juvenile Detention Center in 2003. Keep the phrase "tragically preventable death." It still fits.

Randall Berg, director of the Florida Justice Institute, in an e-mail Wednesday noted the similarities of the two deaths, eight years apart. "In both instances, staff did not believe the complaints of pain by the juvenile inmates and refused known needed medical care, resulting in the untimely and unfortunate death of both children."

Berg had been among the angry voices heard in Florida after the death of Omar Paisley. The 17-year-old Opa-locka youth had been writhing with abdominal pain, beset with vomiting and diarrhea, begging for a doctor, his life ebbing away. The detention center staff never called 911. Workers, in fact, weren't allowed to call 911 without their supervisor's permission. The cellblock phones were set to block 911 calls.

It took Omar two painful, horrible days to die. The grand jury declared, "We were appalled by the utter lack of humanity demonstrated by the detention workers."

Humanity was not much in evidence at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center when Eric Perez, 18, fell deathly ill. Guards found him on the floor, vomiting. No one called 911. He was not seen by a nurse. There was no nurse on duty.

A detention center medical staffer told The Herald's Carol Marbin Miller that because of budget cutbacks, there wasn't enough money to provide a nurse at nights or over weekends. Statewide, the Department of Juvenile Justice is dealing with a $77 million budget cut. Apparently, getting seriously ill in a juvenile lock-up, under this new budget, has become like Russian roulette.

The Paisley grand jury wrote, "It was very simple for us to envision scenarios in which twenty-four hour medical care could mean the difference between life and death." In 2011, the words became prophetic.

The Paisley grand jury was not much moved by complaints that the 2003 version of DJJ had suffered debilitating cuts and the report sounds just as relevant in 2011. "We were sensitive to the implementation of severe budgetary cuts," the report stated. "However, each of us arrived independently at the same conclusion: one can never measure the cost of human life in taxpayer money."

Nor would Cathy Corry of Justice4Kids, a watchdog group that monitors the rights of detained children, accept an excuse that financial restraints led to either death. "Money doesn't make someone care."

Anyway, Paisley was seen by a medical staffer in the 2003 case, though the particular nurse (who later pleaded guilty to culpable negligence) didn't bother with an examination. Her diagnosis of the dying kid: "Ain't nothing wrong with his ass." An equally compassionate guard told Omar to "suck it up."

The only accurate diagnosis may have come from Corry. "The staff didn't care." She was referring to the Eric Perez death, but the tragic underpinnings of both cases seem sadly interchangeable.

The Paisley death led to a series of reforms. And staffers at state juvenile lock-ups were trained to circumvent supervisors and call 911 if they felt a kid was in medical jeopardy. But as the Omar Paisley scandal faded from memory, so did the reform regimes.

"Over time with staff turnover, and usually a lack of training, staffers become jaded," Berg said. He worried that new hires were ill trained. That the new guards came to regard "every inmate with a health care need a malingerer."

"At every turn in our investigation," the Paisley grand jury wrote, "we were confronted with incompetence, ambivalence and negligence on the part of the administration and the staff."

In 2011, not much has changed. Except the dead kid's name.


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: ""In teen's death, lack of money is no excuse..."
Post by: Ursus on August 01, 2011, 10:56:20 AM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/20/2323350/in-teens-death-lack-of-money-is.html) left for the above Opinion piece, "In teen's death, lack of money is no excuse for lack of caring (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403116#p403115)" (by Fred Grimm, 07.20.11, Miami Herald):


Esauhound · 07/21/2011 03:23 PM
the_prince · 07/21/2011 03:56 PM


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: State Officials Cited Lack of Emergency Training at PB Juvie
Post by: Ursus on August 01, 2011, 12:44:00 PM
Another piece from the Broward-Palm Beach New Times blog The Daily Pulp:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Daily Pulp

LAW & ORDER
State Officials Cited Lack of Emergency Training at Palm Beach Juvie Jail Where Teen Died (http://http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2011/07/state_review_emergency_training_palm_beach_juvenile_jail_eric_perez.php)

By Lisa Rab · Wed., Jul. 20 2011 at 11:32 AM
Categories: Law & Order, Palm Beach

(http://http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/Thompson%20cover%20image-thumb-200x214.jpg)
Jail officials waited hours to call 911.

Some staffers at a West Palm Beach juvenile jail where a teenager died this month were not trained to know the facility's safety, security, and emergency plans, according to a state quality assurance report written in February. Meanwhile, "management accountability" at the jail was given a "minimal" rating by state Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) officials -- one step above a failing grade.

Despite these shortcomings, the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center won an overall grade of "acceptable" five months before Eric Perez,18, died in custody there. Two jail employees have been fired and four others have been suspended in the wake of Perez's death.

Perez woke early in the morning on July 10, "dazed and frantic," according to the Palm Beach Post. He vomited on the floor but was given a soft drink and allowed to go back to sleep. Instead of calling 911, a jail supervisor called a nurse to help Perez, but the nurse didn't return the call.

In the February review by state officials, the jail was commended for having a registered nurse on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

On July 10, Perez slipped in and out of sickness and sleep for six hours before a jail supervisor discovered that the teenager barely had a pulse. Only then did the supervisor call 911. By the time paramedics arrived around 8 a.m., Perez was dead. Authorities from DJJ are still investigating the incident.

Tags: death, DJJ, Eric Perez, juvenile justice, Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center


©2011 New Times BPB, LLC.
Title: Comments: "State Officials Cited Lack of Emergency Training.
Post by: Ursus on August 01, 2011, 12:47:44 PM
Comment (http://http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/pulp/2011/07/state_review_emergency_training_palm_beach_juvenile_jail_eric_perez.php) left for the above blog piece, "State Officials Cited Lack of Emergency Training at Palm Beach Juvie Jail Where Teen Died (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403119#p403118)" (by Lisa Rab; Jul. 20 2011; New Times blog The Daily Pulp):


Guest · 1 week ago


©2011 New Times BPB, LLC.
Title: Report outlines teen's final moments in detention
Post by: Ursus on August 02, 2011, 10:36:11 PM
Someone got a hold of the Incident Report for that night...

Video news footage at the title link:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

NEWS CHANNEL 5 — WPTV

Report outlines teen's final moments in detention center (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/report-outlines-teens-final-moments-in-detention-center)
Leaked report outlines Eric Perez's death

Posted: 07/20/2011
By: Mike Trim

(http://http://media2.wptv.com//photo/2011/07/20/Perez_Updateaff9cfa7-c819-4824-b674-3c5d5f0fceea0000_20110720171817_320_240.JPG)
Photographer: WPTV · Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - An incident report leaked to our news partners, The Palm Beach Post, details the final moment of a local teenager's life in a juvenile lockup.

18-year-old Eric Perez died July 10th in the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

His cause of death hasn't been released.

To Perez's family attorney Richard Schuler, the details of Perez's death worsen by the day.

"It's moving pretty quickly and that tells me that something really wrong had to have taken place there," said Schuler.

According to the report The Palm Beach Post obtained, Perez's was dazed and frantic about six-and-a-half hours before dying.

Inside his cell he was allegedly screaming over and over, "get him off me."

A guard moved Perez outside his cell according to the report, where he fell asleep but then starting vomiting.

That's when the report states the on call nurse was called twice, but didn't answer.

"She failed to respond and return the calls which I think is atrocious," said Schuler.

Schuler says he's confirmed most of the facts in the report obtained by The Palm Beach Post through a detention center guard's termination letter.

Two guards were fired and four other employees, including the center's superintendent, are suspended.

The incident report says after vomiting Perez was moved to a medical confinement area, where he again fell asleep.

At 7:55 a-m, the report says a guard checked Perez's pulse and he barely felt one.

That's when a 911 call was reportedly made.

The West Palm Beach Fire Department confirms with NewsChannel 5 that a crew was dispatched to the detention center, but a time was not given.

The state Department of Juvenile Justice said Perez died at 8:09 a.m.

Schuler calls it a complete failure of the system.

"It's a series of bad decisions that are made. It's usually not just one decision, it's a series of bad decisions that lead to a catastrophic event and unfortunately a death like this of Eric Perez," said Schuler.


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Lockup's medical log details teen's death spiral
Post by: Ursus on August 02, 2011, 10:49:16 PM
The Miami Herald
Posted on Wednesday, 07.20.11

Lockup's medical log details teen's death spiral (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/20/2323472/lockups-medical-log-details-teens.html)
 
Though Eric Perez screamed and retched all night at the Palm Beach juvenile lockup, he was not seen by a nurse until 7:51 a.m., a log indicates. By then it was too late.

BY CAROL MARBIN MILLER
[email protected]

(http://http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2011/07/15/22/15/JUPuA.Em.56.jpg)
Eric Perez (Photo provided)

By the time paramedics arrived at the West Palm Beach lockup to treat Eric Perez, the 18-year-old — jailed on a marijuana possession charge — showed only a "flat line" on a heart monitor.

Though Eric had been screaming and retching all night long, lockup administrators failed to call 911 until well after dawn. A detention center healthcare log provided Wednesday to The Miami Herald shows the youth was not examined by a medical professional until 7:51 a.m. Four minutes later, the log shows, lockup staff called a "code white," indicating the youth's condition had become critical.

The death of Eric Perez, who grew up in Port St. Lucie, is the most recent tragedy to rock Florida's long-troubled Department of Juvenile Justice, which has been gripped by a cycle of scandal and short-lived reform for years.

In 2003 and 2004, administrators promised they would "treat every child as if he were your own" after guards and nurses at the Miami lockup waited three days before calling an ambulance for Omar Paisley, who also was dead before paramedics could help him. The agency hired a statewide medical director, posted signs throughout the 22 detention centers authorizing guards to call 911 at the first hint of an emergency, and beefed up medical care — including providing healthcare on-site at the Miami lockup 24 hours a day.

In an interview with The Herald Tuesday, Secretary Wansley Walters suggested poor decision-making — not policies, procedures, training or money — was responsible for Eric's death.

On Wednesday, state Sen. Ronda Storms, who serves on the powerful Justice Appropriations Subcommittee and chairs the Children, Families and Elder Affairs committee, said she asked Walters to brief her on the youth's death. "The secretary told me there was no question at all that 911 should have been called," Storms said.

"There was no evidence he was acting out," said the Valrico Republican. "He was a good kid. He's doing everything he's supposed to do. If this is how they treat the good kids, how do they treat the kids who are acting out? That's a scary proposition."

According to the medical log, four guards and a nurse, none of whom are named, were in the room with Eric in his final moments, with two other guards outside. "One officer doing rescue breathing and me doing chest compressions," the nurse wrote. At 8 a.m., paramedics arrived, connected the youth to their own defibrillator and began doing chest compressions themselves, the log says.

"Their machine got a flat line," the nurse wrote. "They said [there was] nothing they could do; the police would then take over from there."

The progress notes' last item contains only one word: "deceased."

Eric, who turned 18 eight days before he died, was stopped June 29 while riding his bicycle because the bike did not have a night light, sources told The Herald. During the stop, officers found a small amount of marijuana on the teen. Because he already was on probation for a years-old robbery charge, Eric was sent to the detention center. He was five feet, eight inches tall, and weighed 120 pounds. A picture of the teen attached to the log shows a youthful-looking kid with a thick Afro and his mouth partly agape. He had a tattoo on his right arm, and was missing a tooth.

At admission, Eric told lockup staff he had smoked marijuana three hours earlier, "one hit."

On Sunday, July 10, beginning around 1:30 a.m., Eric complained he had a severe headache, and began hallucinating that an imaginary person was on top of him. He had been throwing up for hours as guards sought "guidance" from a different nurse who did not answer her phone. Records say lockup supervisors and the facility's superintendent instructed staff not to call 911.


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Lockup's medical log details teen's death spiral"
Post by: Ursus on August 02, 2011, 10:54:27 PM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/20/2323472/lockups-medical-log-details-teens.html) left for the above article, "Lockup's medical log details teen's death spiral (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403161#p403161)" (by Carol Marbin Miller, 07.20.11, The Miami Herald):
 

southernman305 · 07/20/2011 09:53 PM
Heatman361 · 07/20/2011 11:17 PM
sapo · 07/20/2011 11:42 PM
shelacked · 07/21/2011 12:31 AM in reply to sapo
nur_1996 · 07/21/2011 01:02 AM in reply to sapo
Skye Lyne · 07/21/2011 08:02 AM in reply to sapo
[/list]
shelacked · 07/21/2011 12:28 AM
merrychristmas · 07/21/2011 12:55 AM in reply to shelacked
nur_1996 · 07/21/2011 12:59 AM in reply to merrychristmas
yessy21 · 07/21/2011 09:16 AM in reply to merrychristmas
[/list][/list]
nfekted · 07/21/2011 06:41 AM
leronca · 07/21/2011 11:20 AM
proud58 · 07/21/2011 12:40 PM in reply to leronca
[/list]
proud58 · 07/21/2011 12:38 PM
Lowell Kuvin · 07/21/2011 01:17 PM
ZZardozz · 07/21/2011 08:27 PM
cassiuscasio · 07/22/2011 12:53 PM in reply to ZZardozz
[/list]


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Family of Eric Perez requests video of his final hours
Post by: Ursus on August 02, 2011, 11:01:03 PM
With a nod to the title of this here thread, perhaps the world will get to know, after all, just how Eric Perez died...

Video news footage at the title link below, or from this page (http://http://www.cbs12.com/video/?videoId=1068028664001&play=now).

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

WPEC - CBS 12 News

Family of Eric Perez requests video of his final hours (http://http://www.cbs12.com/news/family-4733923-hours-perez.html)

July 20, 2011 11:08 PM

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The family of a teen who died in juvenile detention is requesting video of the young man's final hours.

An attorney representing the family of 17-year-old Eric Perez says under a new state statute the family is entitled to see the detention center video.

Perez died at the center after suffering head pain and vomiting for several hours. A fired guard claims he wanted to call 9-1-1 but supervisors kept him from doing so.

Wednesday the lawyer for the Perez family Richard Schuler, says there is a rule requiring two guards to accompany a juvenile to the hospital. Schuler says he suspects understaffing may explain not calling 9-1-1.

"Is probably because they didn't have two guards to sacrifice to send in the ambulance and still have sufficient coverage," said family attorney Richard Schuler.

A Department of Juvenile Justice spokeswoman said she would check to see if she could comment given the on-going investigation.


Copyright © 2011 Freedom Communications · CBS 12 News
Title: Last 7 hours of teen's life revealed
Post by: Ursus on August 02, 2011, 11:26:58 PM
Video news footage at the title link:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

NEWS CHANNEL 5 — WPTV

Last 7 hours of teen's life revealed (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/last-7-hours-of-teen's-life-revealed)
Attorney releases medical log

Posted: 07/21/2011
By: Rochelle Ritchie

(http://http://media2.wptv.com//photo/2011/07/16/xjuvie_20110716072824_320_240.JPG)
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - After days of waiting and guessing what could have happened to Eric Perez, the teen who died at a West Palm Beach detention center, the medical log has finally been released and light has been shed on the last seven hours of his life.

Perez's family attorney, Richard Schuler, released the teen's medical log and the termination letter for one of the fired employees.

The log describes how Perez wasn't seen for more than six hours by a medical professional.

It was 1:30 a.m. when juvenile inmate number 101838 was found sick in his cell.

In the termination letter, hand delivered to the now former supervisor Terence D. Davis, the Department of Juvenile Justice says Davis was called to module B-2.

A family attorney says at that time, Perez had become severely ill and was vomiting.

At 2:15 a.m., Davis was called back to the module and was directed by his superintendent to call nurse Diana Heras for help, but she didn't answer the phone.

Heras has worked for Corizon Health Services, which is contracted by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

They sent a statement saying  "Their contract provides medical staff from 7 a.m. to one p.m. on weekends, and that nurses are not on-call during the overnight hours. Instead the local pediatric physician practice that provides physician services for the facility has a doctor on call at all times."

At 5:40 a.m., 4 hours and ten minutes after falling ill, Perez was moved to the medical confinement area.

DJJ again says Davis failed to call 911.

What happened next is documented in Perez's medical log. In it, a nurse says at 7:45 a.m. she was told by a supervisor a youth was in medical confinement and had been vomiting through the night. Six minutes later at 7:51 a.m., Perez was observed snoring.

At 7:55 a.m. he stopped breathing.

After numerous attempts to revive him, the medical log says Perez flat-lined and there was nothing else they could do.

His attorneys say he was pronounced dead at 8:09 a.m.

His cause of death is a question that's yet to be answered.

It could be weeks before an autopsy report is released.

As for the other guard fired, Flloyd Powell, he plans to sue the state for wrongful termination. Since Perez's death he has argued he was given an order not to call 911.


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Death of Eric Perez
Post by: Ursus on August 02, 2011, 11:35:38 PM
From one of TCPalm.com's blogs:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

Michael Goforth — Opinion | St. Lucie County

Death of Eric Perez (http://http://blogs.tcpalm.com/michael_goforth/2011/07/death-of-eric-perez.html)
By Michael Goforth on July 22, 2011 2:08 PM

The Children's Campaign of Florida, a watchdog group on the status of young people in this state, has taken up the case of Eric Perez of Fort Pierce following his death in a juvenile detention center in Palm Beach County.

With each new report, the tragedy becomes more stunning.

Here's what The Children's Campaign said today:

When Eric Perez died in the West Palm Beach Detention Center on Sunday, July 10, it awakened painful memories of Omar Paisley. His death in a Miami-Dade Detention Center in 2003 rocked the state in its cruelty. DJJ staff didn't respond to his appendicitis attack, allowing him to writhe in his cell in excruciating pain for 3 days. By time medical help was summoned, it was too late. Omar died.
 
Eric's medical dilemma, not yet disclosed, was more acute and short-lived.  His painful death, however, was no less gruesome. And like Omar, medical help was not summoned promptly despite obvious signs of distress.
 
Clearly, policies and procedures implemented by DJJ after Omar's death were not followed. But, critical questions remain unanswered.
 
The Children's Campaign in our role of Watchdog is speaking to many and gathering facts. More will be reported soon and questions will be raised.

Categories: Fort Pierce, Florida, Happenings, St. Lucie County, St. Lucie County government, St. Lucie County people

Tags: 911, Children's Campaign, death, Eric Perez, Fort Pierce, juvenile detention center


© 2009 The E.W. Scripps Co.
Title: Call SWAT: Another death in detention
Post by: Ursus on August 02, 2011, 11:44:16 PM
And... here's an Editorial from the Miami Herald:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Miami Herald
Posted on Saturday, 07.23.11

The Miami Herald | EDITORIAL
Call SWAT: Another death in detention (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/23/2326809/call-swat-another-death-in-detention.html)
 
OUR OPINION: Get to the bottom of why Eric Perez's torment was ignored

BY THE MIAMI HERALD EDITORIAL
[email protected]

If, as state Department of Juvenile Justice administrators say, anyone who works at a youth detention facility is authorized to call for emergency help at any time, then why is Eric Perez dead? The public is waiting for the answers from several investigations into the obviously ill teenager's last tortured hours at a West Palm Beach facility.

Indeed, the pain that the 18-year-old endured appeared as agonizing as if guards at the detention center were physically torturing him. But they weren't. Instead they simply, tragically, "failed to call 911," as a letter firing an allegedly derelict detention center supervisor stated. A guard, too, has been fired, and four other employees, including the lockup's superintendent, have been suspended.

Despite the wait for answers about a death that absolutely should not have happened, here's what needs to happen immediately: The Department of Juvenile Justice must prove to the public that policies are in place — and that employees are committed to carrying them out — to ensure the safety and security of children and teens in state care. Second, it's imperative that DJJ create community task forces to evaluate and review everything from the detention policies to the condition of brick-and-mortar facilities to ensure that these troubled youths are being treated humanely and with a goal of making sure they don't return.

And in the case of Eric Perez, a veritable SWAT team of advocates must be drawn in quickly.

This means delivering to the community a level of transparency that too often is missing in public agencies. In light of young Eric's death, building roadblocks and hurdles to the truth is unacceptable.

Unfortunately, South Florida has seen this tragedy before — and heard vows that it will never happen again. Eight years ago, Omar Paisley, 17 and held in a detention center in Miami-Dade, writhed in unfathomable pain for three days — three days — from a ruptured appendix. No one called for help, one nurse insisted he was faking. (That nurse, by the way, pleaded guilty to culpable negligence after Omar died.)

There was outrage, and then reforms — or so we thought. Among them, anyone, from janitor to supervisor was authorized to call 911 in an emergency, something employees hadn't been allowed to do.

DJJ's current chief, Wansley Walters, says that this policy remains in force and that detention center employees are frequently reminded through training sessions and posters. If that's the case, then other policies must be reviewed in order to drive home the point.

For instance, one guard said that he desperately wanted to call 911 to come help Eric (there are no nurses on duty at night or weekends — another situation that warrants attention). However, the supervisor would not allow it. The guard says, too, that he was prepared to defy that misbegotten order, but couldn't leave his post to go to a phone — and had no cell phone on him because they are not allowed in the lockup. What's the sense behind the no-cellphone rule after what happened?

In his brief life, Eric Perez made some mistakes, as have the other youths who end up in detention. Officers stopped him because his bicycle didn't have a night light. They found a small amount of marijuana on him. This was a probation violation from a former robbery charge.

That's how he ended up in detention. But he should not have ended up dead. Get to the bottom of this, and make sure that it never, ever happens again.


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Call SWAT: Another death in detention"
Post by: Ursus on August 02, 2011, 11:48:48 PM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/23/2326809/call-swat-another-death-in-detention.html) left for the above Editorial, "Call SWAT: Another death in detention (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403167#p403167)" (by The Miami Herald Editorial, 07.23.11, Miami Herald):


onebaud · Yesterday 05:14 AM
TrujilloPatty · Yesterday 12:38 PM


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Transparency? Not so much
Post by: Ursus on August 03, 2011, 08:09:48 PM
And... here's another Editorial from the Miami Herald:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Miami Herald
Posted on Tuesday, 07.26.11

The Miami Herald | EDITORIAL
Transparency? Not so much (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/26/2332255/transparency-not-so-much.html)
 
OUR OPINION: Floridians kept in the dark in recent death cases

BY THE MIAMI HERALD EDITORIAL
[email protected]

When 14-year-old Martin Lee Anderson died after a beating at a notorious Florida boot camp for wayward youth, the state's public records law allowed release of the tape showing what happened — all in the public interest. The public outcry was such that state-sanctioned boot camps were shut down.

What can Floridians learn about their taxpayer-financed programs aimed at helping troubled juveniles straighten up? The case of Eric Perez, who died at a West Palm Beach lockup for juveniles, warrants that transparency. Why did Eric die? Why wasn't a doctor or nurse alerted immediately when the painfully ill youth cried out for help?

For that matter, what can Florida taxpayers learn to improve the state's foster care and adoption programs after the death of Nubia Barahona? Right now Nubia's twin brother, Victor, and two other children adopted by Jorge and Carmen Barahona — the Miami-Dade couple accused of torturing Nubia until she died — are in dependency hearings so that a court can determine where they will live and with whom.

In both those cases Floridians have been left in the dark. Which raises the question: What is the government trying to hide? This isn't China or Cuba. So why the secrecy?

In June, Gov. Rick Scott signed into law a bill that exempts from Florida's public records law any photos or video or audio tapes depicting a death. Only a victim's immediate family can have access to the material. But even then public agencies like the Department of Juvenile Justice can delay releasing the tape of Eric's stay at a taxpayer-funded facility on grounds there's an ongoing "investigation."

Last week, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Maria Sampedro-Iglesia decided to close to the public the dependency court hearings for the Barahona children. The judge ignored the public's quest for transparency and sided with the Guardian ad Litem program, which advocates for children in court. The problem is the ad Litem program was among the agencies facing scrutiny for Nubia's death because the child "advocates" didn't seem to see the warning signs of abuse despite numerous calls over the years to the abuse hotline raising concerns about the Barahonas.

Both cases cry out for justice. The public's right to know can be balanced with privacy rights. Journalists protect minors' names in many cases, for instance. But when young people die in state-sanctioned care, there's no legitimate reason for the state to hide in the dark.


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Transparency? Not so much"
Post by: Ursus on August 03, 2011, 08:20:54 PM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/26/2332255/transparency-not-so-much.html) left for the above Editorial, "Transparency? Not so much (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403199#p403198)" (by The Miami Herald Editorial, 07.26.11, Miami Herald):


michael wind · 07/27/2011 09:36 PM
Lynsu · 07/28/2011 03:22 AM


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Reform underway at juvenile justice agency
Post by: Ursus on August 04, 2011, 11:12:18 PM
Geeezz. Governor Rick Scott adds his two cents:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Miami Herald — Other Views
Posted on Tuesday, 07.26.11

FLORIDA
Reform underway at juvenile justice agency (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/26/2332264/reform-underway-at-juvenile-justice.html)
 
BY GOV. RICK SCOTT
http://www.flgov.com (http://www.flgov.com)

Like all Floridians, I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic death of a child in the Palm Beach County Juvenile Detention Center. More than saddened though, I take Eric Perez's death personally. It's a sobering reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive juvenile-justice reform in Florida. Investigations into his death continue, and we won't rest until every unresolved question about it is answered.

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) manages more than 120,000 juvenile delinquency cases each year. On any given day, we have more than 5,000 children in secure custody — more than 1,000 of whom are in facilities like the one where Eric spent the last days of his young life. Those numbers are far too high.

Since I appointed Wansley Walters earlier this year to lead DJJ, her agency has launched a statewide reform effort that will enhance public safety, conserve scarce resources and improve youth outcomes. As the former head of Miami-Dade's Juvenile Services Department, Secretary Walters spearheaded cost-effective reforms that were recognized internationally. As a result, Miami not only has the lowest juvenile incarceration rate in the state, but also boasts one of Florida's lowest juvenile crime rates.

Each element of DJJ's reform initiative is critical to ensure that youth receive the right combination of services and sanctions, in the right place at the right time.

• Diversion. The expansion of civil citation and other innovative diversion practices will stem the flow of first-time misdemeanant youth into the system. Historically, Florida has spent millions of dollars on interventions for low-risk youth who would probably never re-offend.

• Detention reform. Statewide detention reform, including the development of real alternatives to detention, will fuel continued reductions in unnecessary and inappropriate detention. Reduced detention over the past five years allowed DJJ to close hundreds of beds, yielding a cost-savings of more than $25 million.

• Right-sizing residential care. The past five years have also revealed significant inefficiencies at the deep end of Florida's juvenile justice system, with far too many low-risk youth confined in expensive residential institutions. They consume scarce resources that could instead be invested in community-based sanctions that hold youth accountable, protect public safety, create jobs and promote healthy futures for children. Community-based sanctions are more effective at reducing juvenile crime and cost much less than correctional institutions.

These three aspects of juvenile justice reform are urgently needed, now more than ever. We cannot afford the financial or the societal costs of unnecessary juvenile incarceration. By shifting our focus — and our investments — to the front end of the system, we will save not only money, but also lives.

Rick Scott was elected governor of Florida in 2010.


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Reform underway at juvenile justice agency"
Post by: Ursus on August 04, 2011, 11:21:33 PM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/26/2332264/reform-underway-at-juvenile-justice.html) left for the above 'Other Views' piece, "Reform underway at juvenile justice agency (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403231#p403231)" (by Gov. Rick Scott, 07.26.11, Miami Herald):


ytrewq · 07/27/2011 10:58 AM
FromthePulpit · 07/27/2011 11:37 AM
lmmd · 07/27/2011 12:34 PM


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Governor Takes Teen's Death At Juvenile Facility 'Persona
Post by: Ursus on August 05, 2011, 12:07:02 AM
abc25 - WPBF

Governor Takes Teen's Death At Juvenile Facility 'Personally' (http://http://www.wpbf.com/news/28684344/detail.html)
18-Year-Old Died While In Custody At Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center

Terri Parker, Reporter
POSTED: 3:58 pm EDT July 27, 2011

(http://http://www.wpbf.com/2011/0727/28684365_240X180.jpg)
Attorney Bill Zoeller and Maritza Perez speak to WPBF 25 News' Terri Parker about the governor's letter to The Miami Herald.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Gov. Rick Scott said he is taking the death of a teenager at a West Palm Beach juvenile detention center "personally."

In a letter to The Miami Herald (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/26/2332264/reform-underway-at-juvenile-justice.html), Scott wrote that he "won't rest until every unresolved question" about the death of Eric Perez is answered.

Perez died July 10 while in custody at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

An attorney for the family said the 18-year-old died after hours of complaining of severe headaches and vomiting, even though guards knew he was in distress and didn't call 911.

The Department of Juvenile Justice has since fired two employees and suspended six others.

Scott said he wants to reduce waste and inefficiency at expensive juvenile facilities, and he's advocating less expensive community-based programs that hold juveniles accountable and create jobs instead of paying for "unnecessary juvenile incarceration."

"I think it shows that even he recognizes that what went on at this facility is clearly, clearly unacceptable," attorney Bill Zoeller said Wednesday in response to Scott's surprise support. "I think he recognizes that common sense by a few people would have prevented Eric's death."

Perez's mother said she's happy the governor is getting involved.

"I don't want no other kids to die the way my son did," Maritza Perez said.

The investigation into Perez's death continues.


Copyright 2011 by WPBF.com.
Title: Comments: "Governor Takes Teen's Death ... 'Personally' "
Post by: Ursus on August 05, 2011, 12:16:33 AM
Comments (http://http://www.wpbf.com/news/28684344/detail.html) left for the above article, "Governor Takes Teen's Death At Juvenile Facility 'Personally' (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403233#p403233)" (by Terri Parker; July 27, 2011; ABC News 25 - WPBF):


cv2065 · Jul. 27, 2011 5:26pm EST
TimothyBarbieri · Jul. 28, 2011 7:58am EST


Copyright 2011 by WPBF.com.
Title: Guard suspended in teen's death was fired from last job
Post by: Ursus on August 05, 2011, 10:31:40 PM
Uh-oh. Somebody wasn't too thorough about doing employee background checks...

The below article was also published on July 27th by the Orlando Sentinel under a slightly different title: Staffers suspended in teen's death at West Palm Beach lockup have checkered work histories (http://http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/mh-guards-work-history-20110727,0,4125475.story), as well as by the Palm Beach Post, also on the 27th, under the title Guard, suspended in teen's death in custody, was fired from last job (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/guard-suspended-in-teens-death-in-custody-was-1660034.html).

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Miami Herald
Posted on Tuesday, 07.26.11

Guard suspended in teen's death was fired from last job (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/26/2332308/guard-suspended-in-teens-death.html)
 
Two of the staffers suspended after the death of a teen at the West Palm Beach lockup have checkered work histories.

By CAROL MARBIN MILLER
[email protected]

(http://http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2011/07/26/20/16/jJo1.Em.56.jpg)
Eric Perez

When Laryell King was forced to leave her job at the Department of Juvenile Justice lockup in Orlando for "negligently" leaving a youth alone in a room, juvenile justice administrators left a clear warning in her personnel file: "NO rehire in any position."

But rehire her they did.

King ended up on the payroll at the DJJ lockup in West Palm Beach. Now, she is one of five guards suspended after staffers ignored the suffering of 18-year-old Eric Perez, who died at the West Palm Beach juvenile detention center following seven hours of vomiting, hallucinating and complaining of severe headaches.

The person who hired King despite the admonition, lockup superintendent Anthony C. Flowers, has a work history that raises other questions.

When Flowers was hired by the state, he was the assistant program director for the Florida Institute for Girls, a 100-bed prison for hard-to-manage girls that was being closed down amid a Palm Beach County grand jury report that found it rife with violence, sexual abuse by guards, and endless lockdowns due to chronic short-staffing.

"The culture of some staff was to protect each other, fostering cover-ups and unprofessional conduct," the grand jury wrote in February 2004.

The employment records for Flowers and King were provided to The Miami Herald in response to a public records request. Samadhi Jones, an agency spokeswoman in Tallahassee, declined to comment about the two employees. "While the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is committed to being open and transparent to the greatest degree possible, due to ongoing investigations by the DJJ Inspector General's Office and the West Palm Beach Police Department we cannot comment further on the death of the young man at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center," Jones said Tuesday.

Eric, who turned 18 on July 2 while detained at the West Palm Beach center, was locked up after officers found marijuana in his possession when they stopped his bicycle for a broken light. The arrest violated his probation years earlier on a robbery charge.

Beginning around 1:30 a.m. on July 10, the teen began to complain of a severe headache, and vomited the rest of the night. He also appeared to be hallucinating, waving his arms and screaming at officers to extricate him from an imaginary assailant. Records and interviews suggest guards moved Eric by dragging his mat from room to room, but did nothing to help him until just before 8 a.m., when they called for an ambulance. By the time paramedics arrived, a heart monitor showed only a "flat line," records show.

King, who had been honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, was first hired by DJJ to work in the Orange County detention center in late 2001. She had been working for a security company at the time. Her evaluations from the early 2000s were generally positive, though unremarkable. "Officer King is dedicated to her work and the department," a supervisor wrote in March 2005, for example. "She's respectful, cooperative and committed to excellence."

But in March 2008, Jeffrey Lonton, the then-superintendent of the Orlando lockup, moved to fire King.

King had "negligently" left a youth alone and unsupervised for 45 minutes, until another staff member heard the child "banging on the door" to get out. "Ms. King also placed three youths in the laundry room the same day unsupervised; they let themselves out after several minutes," a memo states. "Additionally, after reviewing video surveillance, the same events had occurred over several days in the month of February."

The memo noted that King would be allowed to resign "in lieu of termination." The subject line of the memo stated: "NO rehire in any position for Laryell King."

But in September 2010, King applied at DJJ for a job as a probation officer and correctional treatment specialist. When asked on the employment application why she left the Orlando lockup, King gave a one-word answer: "advancement."

On Sept. 28, 2010, Flowers informed King of her job offer. "In accordance with the provisions of the state of Florida's personnel rules, you have been selected for position of juvenile justice detention officer," he wrote.

She was making about $25,000 a year.

Less than a year later, when administrators suspended King, personnel managers in Orlando were asked in writing by DJJ whether King had ever been counseled or disciplined. "No disciplinary actions in the personnel file," was the response.

King could not be reached for comment.

Flowers was hired by DJJ in October 2003 as a senior detention officer. At the time, he was working as the assistant program director at the Florida Institute for Girls, or FIG. His application said he was "responsible for the day-to-day operation of the intensive mental health wing" of the prison, where he supervised staff, monitored compliance with state regulations and standards, and evaluated employee performance. He had been an assistant superintendent at the West Palm Beach lockup before his employment at FIG.

Though FIG was being paid $5 million per year by DJJ to operate the treatment center, a company personnel manager refused to answer a single question about his performance when asked by juvenile justice administrators doing a background check.

"What were the major duties performed?," a reference check asked. "Per company policy cannot give out information," was the reply. "How effectively did he perform these functions?," the questionnaire asked. "Same as above," FIG answered.

Roy Miller, who heads the Florida Children's Campaign, questioned why administrators would have hired a guard from a program that was rife was abuse — and why they would have allowed a contract agency to refuse to provide personnel information that is covered under the state's public records law.

"It's a matter of public record that girls were abused sexually and physically at the Florida Institute for Girls," Miller said. "Why they would hire employees from FIG without knowing explicitly their employment record is beyond comprehension," said Miller, whose group has long been a DJJ watchdog.

DJJ records obtained at the time by The Herald showed one girl complained that she had been taken to the facility's "boom boom room," where officers "slammed her head into the wall and struck her in the mouth." The girl suffered bruises and welts, said a report that verified the girl's claims.

After his return to DJJ, Flowers rose quickly through the ranks: senior detention officer, assistant detention center superintendent, superintendent. His work was described as "outstanding" and "exceptional" in yearly evaluations. His personnel file shows he has never been disciplined. His yearly salary is about $65,000, records show.

Flowers, who was suspended after Eric's death, did not return calls for comment from a reporter.

FIG was shuttered about the same time a Palm Beach County grand jury blasted it, but not because DJJ administrators took the action. Lawmakers sliced the program's funding from their spending plan, at the urging of children's advocates.

"It was a hellhole for girls," Miller said.


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Guard suspended in teen's death was fired from...
Post by: Ursus on August 05, 2011, 10:36:44 PM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/26/2332308/guard-suspended-in-teens-death.html) left for the above article, "Guard suspended in teen's death was fired from last job (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403270#p403268)" (by Carol Marbin Miller, 07.26.11, Miami Herald), #s 1-20:


sinbadsailor · 07/26/2011 10:36 PM
PirateCafe · 07/27/2011 06:53 AM in reply to sinbadsailor
jdizzle · 07/27/2011 07:08 AM in reply to sinbadsailor
sinbadsailor · 07/27/2011 03:56 PM in reply to jdizzle
jdizzle · 07/27/2011 04:12 PM in reply to sinbadsailor
http://www.privateci.org/rap_geo.html (http://www.privateci.org/rap_geo.html)[/list][/list][/list][/list]
frankinwiltonmanors · 07/26/2011 10:37 PM
kareem98 · 07/27/2011 05:17 AM
PirateCafe · 07/27/2011 06:52 AM
neiman1 · 07/27/2011 06:59 AM
jdizzle · 07/27/2011 07:06 AM
yokolee · 07/27/2011 11:36 AM in reply to jdizzle
[/list]
Tomasin · 07/27/2011 08:03 AM
ZOOT · 07/27/2011 08:27 AM
Observer101 · 07/27/2011 09:04 AM
shelacked · 07/27/2011 01:10 PM in reply to Observer101
constructionqueen · 07/27/2011 05:17 PM in reply to Observer101
[/list]
leo · 07/27/2011 09:45 AM
fdgsr · 07/27/2011 10:14 AM
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Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Guard suspended in teen's death was fired from...
Post by: Ursus on August 05, 2011, 10:41:17 PM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/26/2332308/guard-suspended-in-teens-death.html) left for the above article, "Guard suspended in teen's death was fired from last job (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403270#p403268)" (by Carol Marbin Miller, 07.26.11, Miami Herald), #s 21-26:


Jim Mac · 07/27/2011 12:08 PM
HHERALD99 · 07/27/2011 05:11 PM in reply to Jim Mac
merrychristmas · 07/28/2011 04:31 PM in reply to Jim Mac
[/list]
cp111 · 07/27/2011 12:40 PM
HHERALD99 · 07/27/2011 04:23 PM
Pat · 07/27/2011 05:51 PM


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Guard, suspended in teen's death in custody, was.
Post by: Ursus on August 05, 2011, 11:34:16 PM
Quote from: "Ursus"
The [above] article was also published ... by the Palm Beach Post, ...on the 27th, under the title Guard, suspended in teen's death in custody, was fired from last job (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/guard-suspended-in-teens-death-in-custody-was-1660034.html).
The publication of Carol Marbin Miller's article in the Palm Beach Post also elicited some discussion:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

Comments (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/guard-suspended-in-teens-death-in-custody-was-1660034.html) left for the above article, "Guard, suspended in teen's death in custody, was fired from last job (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403270#p403268)" (by Carol Marbin Miller; July 27, 2011; Miami Herald/Palm Beach Post):


leslie · 7:54 AM, 7/27/2011
Sa · 8:10 AM, 7/27/2011
Mohawker · 8:17 AM, 7/27/2011
Sandy · 8:40 AM, 7/27/2011
@ Sa · 8:45 AM, 7/27/2011
The Truth · 10:48 AM, 7/27/2011
R.C · 12:17 PM, 7/27/2011
leeeo · 1:51 PM, 7/27/2011
JS · 5:08 PM, 7/27/2011


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: PEREZ ATTORNEY: DJJ suspended guard previously fired...
Post by: Ursus on August 05, 2011, 11:58:15 PM
Video news footage at the title link:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

WPEC - CBS12 News

PEREZ ATTORNEY: DJJ suspended guard previously fired in Orlando facility (http://http://www.cbs12.com/news/juvenile-4734091-detention-perez.html)

July 27, 2011 9:30 PM

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Just more than one week ago Maritza Perez buried her 18-year-old son Eric after he died in custody at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center in West Palm Beach.

On Wednesday Perez sat down with one of her lawyers William Zoeller, tears welling up in her eyes, as she reacts to a news report in the Miami Herald. The Herald got the file of detention center guard Laryell King. She was on duty the day Eric Perez died at the facility and is now on suspension.

"She was the guard that was put in front of his room to watch him, while he was put into the medical confinement room about 5:00 in the morning," said Zoeller.

Zoeller says that information comes from one of the two guards fired following Eric's death.

"She apparently was sitting outside the door in a chair when he went to the cafeteria. When he came back, there was nobody watching him," said Zoeller.

The Herald reports the documents show that guard Laryell King had been fired from a DJJ facility in Orlando for negligently leaving a child alone in a room. In her file is a notation, "no rehire in any position."  Yet here she was working in West Palm Beach.

"Apparently on their employment file, it said do not rehire. Why do you hire that person again? Obviously it's got to mean someone was negligent in what they were doing," said Zoeller.

"They should not have her there. They should not have rehired again. If it happened one time, it's going to happen again. It's going to happen again," said Maritza Perez.


Copyright © 2011 Freedom Communications · CBS 12 News
Title: Mom will get video of son's death in lockup
Post by: Ursus on August 06, 2011, 10:28:53 AM
The Florida DJJ expresses its intention to release the video to the mother, as they are required to do, by law, upon request of a family member. Why haven't they already done so?

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Miami Herald
Posted on Thursday, 07.28.11

Mom will get video of son's death in lockup (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/28/2335865/mom-will-get-video-of-sons-death.html)

The head of Florida's Department of Juvenile Justice promises to release the video of a teenage boy dying in a lockup to the teen's mother.

BY CAROL MARBIN MILLER
[email protected]

Florida's top juvenile justice administrator said Thursday that several hours of video depicting a teenager's death at a South Florida lockup will be released to the teen's mother.

Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters told The Miami Herald Thursday that she intends for her agency to speak openly in the coming days about what happened to 18-year-old Eric Perez, who died July 10 at the Palm Beach County detention center after his distress and pleas for medical attention were ignored for several hours.

At the center of ongoing investigations into Eric's death are seven to eight hours of video shot by two cameras at the lockup.

A new Florida law, passed this spring, forbids state agencies from releasing pictures, audio or video tape capturing the death, or events leading to the death, of any person — except to family members, who are entitled to any such footage.

Eric's mother has formally requested the video.

"Absolutely," Walters said Thursday afternoon. "We are going to release it as soon as we can."

"They are the only ones who have the power to do with the tape what they want to do — not us," Walters said of Eric's family.

The youth's mother, Maritza Perez, repeated her vow Thursday to make public the images. "I want everybody to know what happened to Eric," she said. "I don't want this to happen to any other kid. I don't want any other mother to go through what I'm going through."

Eric, who turned 18 on July 2 while detained at the West Palm Beach lockup, had been arrested a few days before his birthday when police found a small amount of marijuana in his possession after they stopped his bicycle for having a broken light. Beginning around 1:30 a.m., records show, Eric began to complain of a severe headache, and he spent the next several hours vomiting and apparently hallucinating that someone was on top of him. He was pronounced dead at 8:09 a.m.

A lockup guard who was fired as a result of Eric's death told The Herald his supervisor and the detention center's superintendent barred him from calling 911 to seek help for the teen.

In June 2003, DJJ was involved in a similar episode when 14-year-old Omar Paisley died at the Miami lockup of a ruptured appendix after begging guards and nurses for medical care. In the wake of a stinging grand jury report, as well as a series of tense legislative hearings, DJJ administrators vowed to ensure that the health of detainees never again would be compromised.

Since Eric's death, Walters has insisted that policies, procedures and training were in place to prevent another tragedy.

"Those policies are not only on the books, but probably among the single, strongest policies we have," Walters said. "We have documents that show people have been regularly trained in them."

Administrators currently are researching the number of times guards and supervisors have either called 911, or driven a detainee to the hospital themselves, Walters said, adding that "this occurs on a regular basis."

The tape of Eric's death is soundless, Walters revealed, despite a grand jury's 2004 recommendation that DJJ surveillance cameras be equipped for audio as well as video. At the time, the panel said it was hindered in its investigation of alleged mistreatment of detainees by the lack of audio-equipped cameras.

"I suspect it was a money issue," said Walters of the continued lack of audio equipment. She took over the agency earlier this year following the inauguration of Gov. Rick Scott.

Administrators also are looking into how Laryell King, a guard on duty the night Eric died, was hired by the West Palm Beach lockup despite being forced to resign from another lockup three years earlier for "negligently" leaving detainees unsupervised. At that time, a notice was put in her file stating she should not be rehired.

"That entire thing is under review," Walters said. "How did it happen? Trust me, we're asking the same question."


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Mom will get video of son's death in lockup"
Post by: Ursus on August 06, 2011, 10:37:30 AM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/28/2335865/mom-will-get-video-of-sons-death.html) left for the above article, "Mom will get video of son's death in lockup (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403284#p403284)" (by Carol Marbin Miller, 07.28.11, The Miami Herald), #s 1-21:


Carl Ellis · 07/28/2011 08:15 PM
This comment was flagged for review.[/list]
MIAMIVICING · 07/29/2011 06:17 AM in reply to Carl Ellis
CarolMarbinMiller · 07/29/2011 11:57 AM in reply to MIAMIVICING
OnLine · 07/29/2011 11:31 PM in reply to CarolMarbinMiller
jim444 · 07/30/2011 07:48 AM in reply to CarolMarbinMiller
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enriquesanchez · 07/29/2011 10:48 AM in reply to Carl Ellis
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Richard Nixon 2012 · 07/29/2011 12:18 AM
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vic1 · 07/29/2011 10:08 AM
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Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Mom will get video of teenage son's death..."
Post by: Ursus on August 06, 2011, 09:07:52 PM
Carol Marbin Miller's above article (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403284#p403284) also appeared in the Palm Beach Post the following day, July 29th, with a slightly different title and with four pics.

Comments (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/mom-will-get-video-of-teenage-sons-death-1668808.html) for this latter publication, "Mom will get video of teenage son's death in lockup" (by Carol Marbin Miller; July 29, 2011; The Miami Herald/Palm Beach Post):


booradley · 9:05 AM, 7/29/2011
L smith · 9:49 AM, 7/29/2011
Damien · 10:04 AM, 7/29/2011
Correction · 1:01 PM, 7/29/2011
JK · 1:11 PM, 8/2/2011


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Promises of improvements at FL juvenile detention centers fa
Post by: Ursus on August 06, 2011, 10:14:42 PM
Here's an Editorial from TCPalm...

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

Editorial: Promises of improvements at Florida juvenile detention centers fail to prevent teen's death (http://http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/jul/29/editorial-promises-of-improvements-at-florida-to/)

editorial board
TCPalm
Posted July 29, 2011 at 4 a.m.

Maritza Perez believes her son should not have died while in custody at the Palm Beach Regional Detention Center.

An investigation into the July 10 death of Treasure Coast resident Eric Perez, 18, by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and the West Palm Beach Police Department may prove her right.

The teenager was arrested June 28 for alleged possession of marijuana in violation of probation from a robbery charge. He died a few days before he was to be released from the center.

Perez became ill early on the morning of July 10 and, for hours, screamed and vomited, but received no medical care at the lockup, according to reports, primarily from The Miami Herald and The Palm Beach Post. After paramedics finally arrived, he was pronounced dead. A cause of death has yet to be released.

Following the death of Perez, four members of the staff, including Superintendent Anthony Flowers, were suspended and two people — a supervisor and a guard — were fired, allegedly for failing to call 911 as they were required to do under the circumstances.

But, that fired guard said he was twice told by his bosses not to call 911. In an interview with The Miami Herald, Floyd Powell, 35, who has filed a suit against the state for wrongful termination, said, "I was going to call 911, but my supervisor looked me in the face and said, 'He'll be fine. Don't call 911.' "

Rather, Powell said, he was directed to call a nurse, identified as as Diana Heras, to ask for "guidance."

The staff was unable to reach the nurse.

In an interview herself with The Miami Herald, Heras said, "Nobody works there at night. There is no state funding for night nurses for any night of the week. They do not have a nurse who works at that ... facility on the night shift, and they do not work weekends."

Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters has denied that budget shortfalls had anything to do with the death of Perez, but it may have been caused by a failure to follow proper procedures.

All the finger-pointing about who did what or who did not do what won't bring back the life of this teenager who died under the custody and, theoretically, under the protection of the state.

Who should we believe about what actually happened and why medical care was not provided to someone in obvious need?

There is a video recording of some of what happened in the detention center. But, on July 1 a state law took effect banning the release of photos, videos or audio recordings that relate to the death of a person. Such videos may only be seen by law enforcement or immediate family. Violation is a third-degree felony.

The existence of this videotape in this case clearly demonstrates why such recordings ought to be public record, so citizens can see how effective state workers are.

Following the investigations into the death of Perez, additional disciplinary measures may be taken. And, officials may say new measures will be adopted to prevent similar occurrences.

But, that's what they said eight years ago when 17-year-old Omar Paisley died at a juvenile detention center in Dade County. But there has been another death and, somehow, new pledges of "never again" will sound terribly hollow.

Answers to what happened in the Perez death may not bring peace. But, they need to be forthcoming.


© 2011 TCPalm.
Title: CFO Atwater stops payment for funeral costs for teen...
Post by: Ursus on August 06, 2011, 11:35:14 PM
This next flurry of articles and blog posts almost begs belief. Despite having a policy of paying the funeral costs of youth who have deceased while in the DJJ's care, inexplicably, in this case, that policy seems to have been revoked.

I guess the probability of an impending lawsuit has superseded simply "doing the right thing," and the case of Eric Perez has been reassigned to ... the "Dept. of Risk Management."

Here's a piece from the Palm Beach Post's political blog, Post On Politics:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

CFO Atwater stops payment for funeral costs for teen who died in DJJ custody in Palm Beach County (http://http://www.postonpolitics.com/2011/07/cfo-atwater-stops-payment-for-funeral-costs-for-teen-who-died-in-djj-custody-in-palm-beach-county/)

by Dara Kam | July 29th, 2011

Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater's office has blocked a payment to cover the costs of the funeral of Eric Perez, the 18-year-old who died while in state custody in a Palm Beach County juvenile detention facility on July 10.

The Department of Juvenile Justice had promised to pay $5,000 towards the cost of Perez' funeral, as it has done twice before in the past two years.

Atwater, in charge of the state's check book, had gone so far as to print a $5,000 check for Tillman Funeral Home in West Palm Beach on July 13.

But before DJJ officials released it to the funeral home, Atwater's office asked that the money be returned.

"Since the agency does not have statutory authority to make the payment, we are requesting a warrant cancellation for the following vendor payment," Mark Merry, head of the Department of Financial Services auditing department, wrote to DJJ in an e-mail on Tuesday.

DJJ has had a policy of paying up to $5,000 towards funeral costs for children who die in their custody since 2008, department spokesman C.J. Drake said. Since then, the department has twice paid families the maximum amount – once in November 2008 and again in January 2009.

Discussions are now underway between the two agencies about how the payment can be made, Drake said.

"So far everyone's been very cooperative and agreeable. We just have to resolve it. I'm confident that we're going to make the payment," he said.

Tags: Department of Financial Services, Department of Juvenile Justice, Eric Perez, Jeff Atwater

This entry was posted on Friday, July 29th, 2011 at 5:20 pm and is filed under Dara Kam, Rick Scott, state agencies.


Copyright 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Atwater snatches back check for burial of 18-year-old...
Post by: Ursus on August 07, 2011, 12:41:18 AM
Here's the longer news article that above (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403322#p403320) blog author Dara Kam wrote for the Palm Beach Post:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Palm Beach Post

Atwater snatches back check for burial of 18-year-old who died at Juvenile center (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/atwater-snatches-back-check-for-burial-of-18-1671429.html)

By DARA KAM
Palm Beach Post Capital Bureau

Updated: 7:40 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2011
Posted: 6:05 p.m. Friday, July 29, 2011

(http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/multimedia/dynamic/00967/eric_perez2_967876k.jpg)
Eric Perez Photo provided

TALLAHASSEE — Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater's office has blocked a payment to cover the costs of the funeral of Eric Perez, the 18-year-old who died while in state custody in a Palm Beach County juvenile detention facility on July 10.

The Department of Juvenile Justice had promised to pay $5,000 towards the cost of Perez' funeral, as it has done twice before in the past two years.

Atwater, in charge of the state's checkbook, had gone so far as to print a $5,000 check for Tillman Funeral Home in West Palm Beach on July 13, state records show.

But before DJJ officials released it to the funeral home, Atwater's office asked that the money be returned.

"Since the agency does not have statutory authority to make the payment, we are requesting a warrant cancellation for the following vendor payment," Mark Merry, head of the Department of Financial Services auditing department, wrote to DJJ in an e-mail on Tuesday.

Instead DJJ should seek payment from the Division of Risk Management, which handles insurance and claims against the state, a later e-mail advised.

As of Friday, Perez' family had not filed a lawsuit against DJJ in connection with the death.

Since 2008 DJJ has had a policy of paying up to $5,000 towards funeral costs for children who die in its custody, department spokesman C.J. Drake said. Since then, the department has twice paid families the maximum amount -- once in November 2008 and again in January 2009.

"The CFO wants to have resolution on this claim and in a timely manner for the family," Atwater spokeswoman Anna Alexopoulos said in an e-mail. She did not say why the payment was referred to the risk management division.

Richard Schuler, a lawyer representing Perez' mother Maritza Perez, said he was unaware of the funeral payments.

"I'm sure that it would be very helpful for her to have that under these circumstances," Schuler said.

Discussions are now underway between the two agencies about how the payment can be made, Drake said.

"So far everyone's been very cooperative and agreeable. We just have to resolve it. I'm confident that we’re going to make the payment," he said.

Perez, 18, died following seven hours of vomiting, hallucinating and complaining of severe headaches that were largely ignored by workers at the West Palm Beach detention center, according to officials reports of the incident. Two guards have been suspended, and DJJ and West Palm Beach police are separately investigating Perez' death.

Palm Beach Post staff writer Michael Laforgia contributed to this story.

[email protected]


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Comments: "Atwater snatches back check for burial of..."
Post by: Ursus on August 07, 2011, 10:11:17 AM
Comments (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/atwater-snatches-back-check-for-burial-of-18-1671429.html) left for the above article, "Atwater snatches back check for burial of 18-year-old who died at Juvenile center (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403322#p403322)" (by Dara Kam; July 29, 2011; The Palm Beach Post):


Rawhide · 6:44 PM, 7/29/2011
What No Reach Around? · 6:47 PM, 7/29/2011
OK! · 6:51 PM, 7/29/2011
buddy · 6:56 PM, 7/29/2011
david · 8:31 PM, 7/29/2011
checksinthemail · 9:16 PM, 7/29/2011
Easy Ed · 10:04 PM, 7/29/2011
Garl · 8:24 AM, 7/30/2011
denny wood · 12:16 PM, 7/30/2011
http://www.dignity4diabled,com (http://www.dignity4diabled,com) as well as the citizen remedy which is directed ADA violator who now "wants to obey the law".[/list]
So so sad · 1:30 PM, 7/30/2011
Say WHAT!?!?!? · 2:38 PM, 7/30/2011
trader · 5:44 PM, 7/30/2011
tonia · 8:39 AM, 7/31/2011
Pitwawa · 6:33 PM, 7/31/2011
Lillyldy · 4:02 PM, 8/1/2011
Kevin · 4:14 PM, 8/1/2011


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Comments: "State stops payment for the funeral of Eric Perez
Post by: Ursus on August 07, 2011, 10:32:17 AM
An abbreviated version of Dara Kam's above article (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403326#p403322) was also posted (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/state-stops-payment-for-the-funeral-of-eric-perez%2C-the-teen-who-died-in-djj-custody) on news partner News Channel 5's website under a different title, along with video news footage also at that link.

Comments (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/state-stops-payment-for-the-funeral-of-eric-perez%2C-the-teen-who-died-in-djj-custody) for this latter article, "State stops payment for the funeral of Eric Perez, the teen who died in DJJ custody" (by Dara Kam; 07/29/2011; Palm Beach Post/News Channel 5 - WPTV):


Terri Aaron · Last Week
Gigi Koslow-murray · Last Week
James H Johnson · Last Week
Erich Werner · Last Week


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: CFO Jeff Atwater won't pay for funeral for teen who died...
Post by: Ursus on August 07, 2011, 10:47:44 AM
Here's a piece from the Miami Herald blog Naked Politics.

The Florida DJJ was gonna pay for Eric Perez's funeral costs, but then they put a stop on the check! Geeezzzz...

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Miami Herald — Naked Politics

CFO Jeff Atwater won't pay for funeral for teen who died in detention (http://http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2011/07/florida-finance-chief-wont-pay-for-funeral-for-teen-who-died-in-detention.html)

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater is refusing to pay the funeral expenses for a teenager who died in state custody after unsuccessfully seeking medical attention for several hours.

Juvenile justice administrators had offered to pay up to $5,000 in funeral costs to bury 18-year-old Eric Perez, who died at the West Palm Beach detention center on July 10. But after cutting a check to the Tillman Funeral Home, Florida's chief financial officer ordered that the check be destroyed, records show.

Perez, who was detained at the Palm Beach County Juvenile Detention Center on a marijuana possession charge, would not have been the first child whose funeral expenses were borne by the state.

In November 2008, the Department of Juvenile Justice paid for the funeral of a Tampa Bay-area youth, said agency spokesman C.J. Drake. In January 2009, the agency helped bury a Highlands County youth.

"The Department of Juvenile Justice has a policy dating from 2008 authorizing the payment of funeral expenses when a youth dies in our custody," Drake told The Miami Herald.

"The chief financial officer printed the check, and sent it over to us," Drake said, referring to the agency's offer to pay for Eric's funeral. "Then they said, 'Whoa, don't send it.'?" The funeral home, Drake said, has received no payment from the state.

Atwater's office said in a statement: "The CFO wants to have resolution on this claim and in a timely manner for the family. The Department of Juvenile Justice was advised that they did not have statutory authority to pay for funeral expenses.  DJJ was also advised that a more appropriate venue to address this claim is the Division of Risk Management."

In a July 26 email to DJJ, Mark Merry from the chief financial office said DJJ "does not have statutory authority to make the payment." An agency spokesman is looking into why the department stopped payment of the check.

Drake said leaders of the two state agencies still are discussing the funeral expenses. "I'm confident that we can work out an agreement so that the expenses are paid," he said Friday afternoon. "And Secretary Walters is committed to paying the expenses."

--CAROL MARBIN MILLER AND MARC CAPUTO

Posted by Patricia Mazzei on July 29, 2011 in Jeff Atwater


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "CFO Jeff Atwater won't pay for funeral for teen..
Post by: Ursus on August 07, 2011, 10:54:41 AM
Comments (http://http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2011/07/florida-finance-chief-wont-pay-for-funeral-for-teen-who-died-in-detention.html) left for the above blog entry, "CFO Jeff Atwater won't pay for funeral for teen who died in detention (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403329#p403329)" (by Carol Marbin Miller and Marc Caputo; July 29, 2011; The Miami Herald - Naked Politics):


Posted by: Lois | July 29, 2011 at 05:46 PM
Posted by: Unreal guy this one. | July 30, 2011 at 10:51 AM
Posted by: NativeFlWoman | July 31, 2011 at 10:29 AM


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Florida finance chief won't pay for funeral of teen who died
Post by: Ursus on August 07, 2011, 01:28:02 PM
And here's Carol Marbin Miller's full article as it ran in the Miami Herald...

An abbreviated version of the below article (missing the last three paragraphs) was also published on August 1st by Bradenton.com under the title State balks on paying for teen's funeral (http://http://www.bradenton.com/2011/08/01/3387245/state-balks-on-paying-for-teens.html).

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Miami Herald
Posted on Friday, 07.29.11

JUVENILE JUSTICE
Florida finance chief won't pay for funeral of teen who died in lockup (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/29/2337038/florida-finance-chief-wont-pay.html)

State juvenile justice chiefs had sought to help bury a teenager who died in their custody. But the state's top finance administrator won't let them.

BY CAROL MARBIN MILLER
[email protected]

(http://http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2011/07/19/09/23/12zCMK.Em.56.jpg)
Maritza Perez, the mother of Eric Perez, at a press conference Monday afternoon. (Damon Higgins/The Palm Beach Post)

(http://http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2011/07/15/22/15/JUPuA.Em.56.jpg)
Eric Perez (Photo provided)

The state's top financial officer is refusing to pay the funeral expenses for a teenager who died in state custody after unsuccessfully seeking medical attention for several hours, despite a three-year-old policy to pay such costs.

Juvenile justice administrators had offered to pay up to $5,000 in funeral costs to bury 18-year-old Eric Perez, who died at the West Palm Beach detention center on July 10. But after the state cut a check to the Tillman Funeral Home, Florida's chief financial officer ordered that the check be destroyed, records show.

Perez, who was detained at the Palm Beach County Juvenile Detention Center on a marijuana possession charge, would not have been the first child whose funeral expenses were paid by the state.

In November 2008, the Department of Juvenile Justice paid for the funeral of a Tampa Bay-area youth, said agency spokesman C.J. Drake. In January 2009, the agency helped bury a Highlands County youth. Drake could not identify the children due to confidentiality laws, he said.

"The Department of Juvenile Justice has a policy dating from 2008 authorizing the payment of funeral expenses when a youth dies in our custody," Drake told The Miami Herald.

"The chief financial officer printed the check and sent it over to us," Drake said, referring to the agency's offer to pay for Eric’s funeral. "Then they said, 'Whoa, don't send it.' " The funeral home, Drake said, has received no payment from the state.

In a July 26 email to DJJ, the CFO's chief of auditing, Mark Merry, said DJJ "does not have statutory authority to make the payment."

Perez's mother, 47-year-old Maritza Perez, was too distraught Friday afternoon to discuss her son's burial expenses, which totaled $7,600.

"They killed him in there," is all Perez could say Friday. Her attorney could not be reached for comment.

Drake said state officials are still discussing the funeral expenses. "I'm confident that we can work out an agreement so that the expenses are paid," he said Friday afternoon. He added that DJJ Secretary Wansley Walters is committed to paying the expenses.

But a spokeswoman for the finance chief seemed to suggest late Friday that the CFO's office is unlikely to budge.

In an email to The Herald, a CFO spokeswoman, Anna A. Alexopoulis, said Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater "wants to have resolution on this claim, and in a timely manner for the family."

"The Department of Juvenile Justice was advised that they did not have the statutory authority to pay for funeral expenses," Alexopoulis wrote. "DJJ was also advised that a more appropriate venue to address this claim is the Division of Risk Management," which defends the state when it is sued. A lawyer for Perez's mother has informed authorities of the family's intent to file a lawsuit.

Perez turned 18 on July 2, a few days after he was arrested. At about 1:30 a.m. on July 10, he complained his head hurt, and he vomited and appeared to be hallucinating for the next seven hours. A guard on duty in Perez's cellblock told The Herald that he wanted to call for an ambulance, but both his supervisor and the lockup's superintendent forbade him from calling 911.

Perez was pronounced dead at 8:09 a.m., minutes after paramedics arrived. Records show the youth had stopped breathing before paramedics got there.

In the days after Perez's death, Walters, the state's top juvenile justice administrator, suspended five guards and the lockup's superintendent, Anthony C. Flowers. Walters later fired one guard and his supervisor.

Walters told The Herald this week that she will release to Perez's mother seven to eight hours of video shot from two cameras that captured her sons's final hours at the lockup. Beyond that, the agency has declined to discuss the youth's death in any detail, citing ongoing investigations by both DJJ's inspector general and the West Palm Beach police.

Paolo Annino, a Florida State University law professor who heads a legal clinic for children and disabled people, praised juvenile justice chiefs for both developing the burial policy and seeking to "do the right thing" for Perez's family. He suggested the state is obligated to bury the teen, since authorities failed in their basic duty to keep him safe. State finance chiefs, Annino added, should rethink their objections.

"If they looked at this carefully, and they still arrived at this conclusion, then there is something seriously wrong," Annino said.


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Florida finance chief won't pay for funeral of...
Post by: Ursus on August 07, 2011, 01:36:24 PM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/29/2337038/florida-finance-chief-wont-pay.html) left for the above article, "Florida finance chief won't pay for funeral of teen who died in lockup (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403334#p403334)" (by Carol Marbin Miller, 07.29.11, Miami Herald), #s 1-20:


radney · 07/29/2011 04:45 PM
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Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Florida finance chief won't pay for funeral of...
Post by: Ursus on August 07, 2011, 01:46:33 PM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/29/2337038/florida-finance-chief-wont-pay.html) left for the above article, "Florida finance chief won't pay for funeral of teen who died in lockup (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403334#p403334)" (by Carol Marbin Miller, 07.29.11, Miami Herald), #s 21-32:


Richard Nixon 2012 · 07/30/2011 12:00 AM
charleo1 · 07/30/2011 08:29 AM in reply to Richard Nixon 2012
[/list]
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hed1117 · 07/30/2011 06:49 AM
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Chenzo · 07/30/2011 11:04 AM
Johnna Smith · 08/03/2011 11:05 PM


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: CFO Jeff Atwater says state will pay for teen's funeral
Post by: Ursus on August 11, 2011, 02:56:04 PM
Apparently Florida will pay part of Eric Perz's funeral costs after all. Atwater seems to have changed his mind:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

WPEC - CBS 12 News

CFO Jeff Atwater says state will pay for teen's funeral (http://http://www.cbs12.com/news/juvenile-4734191-atwater-payment.html)
August 01, 2011 6:13 PM

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. -- The state's Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater says he will approve a $5,000 payment to cover funeral expenses for 18-year-old Eric Perez.

Perez died at a Juvenile Detention Center in West Palm Beach this month.

Originally, Atwater blocked the payment stating that the Department of Juvenile Justice officials lacked the authority to issue the money.

Today Atwater released this statement saying:

"My office is now working directly with the family's attorney through our Division of Risk Management, and my commitment is to have a check covering funeral expenses for this young man in the hands of the family within 48 hours."


Copyright © 2011 Freedom Communications · CBS 12 News
Title: Atwater will reissue check for funeral expenses for teen...
Post by: Ursus on August 11, 2011, 05:06:55 PM
From the Palm Beach Post blog Post On Politics:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Palm Beach Post - Post On Politics

Atwater will reissue check for funeral expenses for teen who died in DJJ care (http://http://www.postonpolitics.com/2011/08/atwater-will-reissue-check-for-funeral-expenses-for-teen-who-died-in-djj-care/)

by Dara Kam | August 1st, 2011

Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said Monday he will sign off on a $5,000 payment to cover funeral expenses for Eric Perez, an 18-year-old who died in state custody in West Palm Beach on July 10.

The Palm Beach Post and The Miami Herald reported this weekend that Atwater blocked the payment (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/atwater-snatches-back-check-for-burial-of-18-1671429.html). His office told Department of Juvenile Justice officials they lacked statutory authority for the payment although the agency has had a policy for two years to pay up to $5,000 for funeral costs of children who die while in their custody and has issued the payments twice before.

On Monday, Atwater blamed Department of Juvenile Justice officials for what he called “a tragic delay” in a press release Monday afternoon. Atwater promised to send a check to the Perez family’s attorney within 48 hours.

“Regrettably, this tragic delay would not have occurred if the Department of Juvenile Justice had not blatantly ignored guidance from my office,” Atwater said in the release. “In the future, I would hope that DJJ would be more transparent in its dealings with the public and with taxpayer monies.”

Tags: Department of Financial Services, Department of Juvenile Justice, Eric Perez, Jeff Atwater

This entry was posted on Monday, August 1st, 2011 at 3:04 pm and is filed under Dara Kam, Jeff Atwater, state agencies.


Copyright 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Comments: "Atwater will reissue check for funeral expenses..
Post by: Ursus on August 11, 2011, 05:13:43 PM
Comments (http://http://www.postonpolitics.com/2011/08/atwater-will-reissue-check-for-funeral-expenses-for-teen-who-died-in-djj-care/) left for the above blog piece, "Atwater will reissue check for funeral expenses for teen who died in DJJ care (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403379#p403379)" (by Dara Kam; August 1st, 2011; Palm Beach Post - Post On Politics):


Jeremy Says: August 2nd, 2011 at 10:36 am
Andrew T Says: August 2nd, 2011 at 10:37 am


Copyright 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Atwater reverses, issues burial check to family of youth...
Post by: Ursus on August 11, 2011, 05:21:11 PM
Here's Dara Kam's longer news article...

This article also appeared on New Channel 5's website, along with video news coverage. Same article title: Atwater reverses, issues burial check to family of youth who died in state custody (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/atwater-reverses,-issues-burial-check-to-family-of-youth-who-died-in-state-custody)

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Palm Beach Post

Atwater reverses, issues burial check to family of youth who died in state custody (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/atwater-reverses-issues-burial-check-to-family-of-1681421.html)

BY DARA KAM
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Updated: 9:51 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011
Posted: 7:10 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, 2011

(http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/multimedia/dynamic/00967/eric_perez2_967876k.jpg)
Eric Perez · Photo provided

TALLAHASSEE — After his staff blocked the payment last week, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater signed off Monday on a $5,000 check to help cover the costs of a teen who died while in state custody earlier this month and blamed the Department of Juvenile Justice for the delay.

Atwater's office last week stopped the payment sought by DJJ to pay for the funeral of Eric Perez, an 18-year-old who died at a state-run juvenile detention facility in West Palm Beach on July 10.

But after newspapers including The Palm Beach Post reported that Atwater's Department of Financial Services had halted the payment to Tillman Funeral Home, the North Palm Beach banker reissued the check and blasted DJJ officials for the embarrassment.

"Regrettably, this tragic delay would not have occurred if the Department of Juvenile Justice had not blatantly ignored guidance from my office," Atwater said in the release. "In the future, I would hope that DJJ would be more transparent in its dealings with the public and with taxpayer monies."

After printing a $5,000 check to the funeral home, Atwater's staff told DJJ to cancel it because the agency lacked the authority to for the payment, although DJJ has had a policy for at least two years to provide up to $5,000 for funeral costs of children who die while in their custody. The agency has issued the payments twice before, according to DJJ spokesman C.J. Drake.

Drake would not comment on the finger-pointing but said "we're pleased that this matter is finally being resolved in favor of the young man's family."

The check was overnighted Monday to Richard Schuler, an attorney representing Perez' mother Martiza Perez, Atwater spokeswoman Alexis Lambert said.

"They have done an about-face on the issuance of the check for funeral expenses. I think it's the right thing to do under the circumstances," Schuler said.

Atwater was incensed because, Lambert said, the two agencies were negotiating how the payment could be made when DJJ asked for the money and the check was cut. A routine audit by Atwater's department caught the check and Atwater's office then ordered DJJ, which had not yet released the funds, to get the money back and to submit the request to the Risk Management division.

But on Monday, Atwater re-cut a check, Lambert said.

"The most important thing is the check has been cut and overnighted to the family," Lambert said.

Workers at the West Palm Beach detention center waited more than six hours before calling 911 after Perez began vomiting, hallucinating and complaining of severe headaches, according to official reports of the incident. Two guards have been suspended, and DJJ and West Palm Beach police are separately investigating Perez' death.


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: The Palm Beach Post has a 500 character limit...
Post by: Ursus on August 11, 2011, 07:32:54 PM
There were no comments left for the above article (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403381#p403381), not on the Palm Beach Post website, nor on that of its news partner, NewsChannel 5. However, here's a short interesting piece from the Wobbly Warrior's Blog commenting on just that:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

Wobbly Warrior's Blog

The Palm Beach Post has a 500 character limit on online comments. Unless you're me. (http://http://wobblywarrior.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/the-palm-beach-post-has-a-500-character-limit-on-online-comments-unless-youre-me/)
Posted on August 2, 2011 by Susan Chandler

My limit is zero characters.

The Palm Beach Post rejected today's comment — as they have all of my recent comments — thusly: "You have to wait a while before posting another comment. Please try again later."

My rejected 500 character comment on, "Atwater reverses, issues burial check to family of youth who died in state custody," appears below the article link, leading off with their proofreading error in quotes.

Undeservedly, FBI Director Mueller was just granted another two years at the helm by the Senate. I doubt the FBI recovered their 160 missing laptops and 160 missing weapons Sen. Leahy once included in his pages of oversight complaints, because – like Atwater, Haridopolos and the media — the FBI sure hasn't recovered its scruples.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/atwat ... 81421.html (http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/atwater-reverses-issues-burial-check-to-family-of-1681421.html)


Negligence ended a teen's life, his family was mistreated and the PBP's "coverage" is poorly proofread, he said/she said nothingness.

Atwater, like Haridopolos, is the son of an FBI agent who pretends he doesn't know the FBI should be investigating Florida's ever-expanding conviction corruption.

Failing to print what politicians pretend is election engineering that tramples the public trust and flouts your fiduciary responsibilities, PBP.


This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged CFO Jeff Atwater, Eric Perez, FBI, FBI Director Mueller, Palm Beach Post, Sen. Mike Haridopolos, wrongful prison death.
Title: CFO Jeff Atwater says his office will pay for teen's funeral
Post by: Ursus on August 11, 2011, 11:52:05 PM
An entry on this development from the Miami Herald blog Naked Politics:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Miami Herald — Naked Politics

CFO Jeff Atwater says his office will pay for teen's funeral; blames DJJ for delay (http://http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2011/08/cfo-jeff-atwater-says-his-office-will-pay-for-teens-funeral-blames-djj-for-delay.html)

Jeff Atwater, Florida's chief financial officer, issued a statement Monday regarding a story last week (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/29/2337038/florida-finance-chief-wont-pay.html) noting that his office was not paying for the funeral of 18-year-old Eric Perez, who died in a West Palm Beach detention center on July 10.

Atwater's office says it is working directly with Perez's family attorney to cover the funeral expenses within 48 hours through the state's Division of Risk Management -- instead of through the Department of Juvenile Justice, which did not have the authority to make the payment.

Here is the statement:

TALLAHASSEE—Florida's Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, who oversees the Department of Financial Services, released the following statement today following news reports last Friday regarding the payment of funeral expenses for Eric Perez, who died on July 10, 2011, while in the care of the Department of Juvenile Justice at a state detention facility in West Palm Beach.

"My office is now working directly with the family's attorney through our Division of Risk Management, and my commitment is to have a check covering funeral expenses for this young man in the hands of the family within 48 hours.

"Regrettably, this tragic delay would not have occurred if the Department of Juvenile Justice had not blatantly ignored guidance from my office.

"In the future, I would hope that DJJ would be more transparent in its dealings with the public and with taxpayer monies."

Posted by Patricia Mazzei on August 1, 2011 in Jeff Atwater


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "CFO Jeff Atwater says his office will pay for..."
Post by: Ursus on August 11, 2011, 11:57:29 PM
Comment (http://http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2011/08/cfo-jeff-atwater-says-his-office-will-pay-for-teens-funeral-blames-djj-for-delay.html) left for the above blog piece, "CFO Jeff Atwater says his office will pay for teen's funeral; blames DJJ for delay (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403390#p403390)" (by Patricia Mazzei; August 1, 2011; Miami Herald - Naked Politics):


Posted by: jim heffner | August 02, 2011 at 08:38 AM


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Grand jury to probe teen's death in lockup
Post by: Ursus on August 12, 2011, 12:08:57 AM
Despite previous assurances to the contrary on the part of the Florida DJJ, the State Attorney's Office is now trying to prevent release of the video to Eric Perez's mum...

An abbreviated version of the below article (sans the last six paragraphs) also appeared in the Sun-Sentinel on August 1st under the title Grand jury to probe teen's death in West Palm jail (http://http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/mh-teen-inmate-grand-jury-20110801,0,3274583.story).

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Miami Herald
Posted on Monday, 08.01.11

JUVENILE JUSTICE
Grand jury to probe teen's death in lockup (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/01/2340907/grand-jury-to-probe-teens-death.html)
 
As Eric Perez's death at a West Palm Beach lockup continued to reverberate Monday, prosecutors are trying to seal a key piece of evidence: a video of the teen's final hours.

BY CAROL MARBIN MILLER
[email protected]

(http://http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2011/07/15/22/15/JUPuA.Em.56.jpg)
Eric Perez (Photo provided)

State prosecutors in West Palm Beach have convened a grand jury to look into the death of Eric Perez, a teenager who stopped breathing at a juvenile detention center after he sought medical care unsuccessfully for hours.

The Palm Beach State Attorney's Office, which is spearheading the death investigation, also has asked a judge to prevent juvenile justice administrators from releasing a video that details Perez's final hours at the lockup. Perez, 18, died at 8:09 a.m. July 10, about two weeks after he was arrested for possessing a small amount of marijuana, and several hours after he sought medical care for a severe headache and vomiting. The cause of his death remains undetermined.

In a court pleading filed Friday, the State Attorney's Office said releasing the video to Perez's mother, who has requested it under Florida's public records law, "will cause irreparable harm to the pending criminal and grand jury investigation."

Last spring, lawmakers passed a revision to the state's public records law forbidding the release of pictures or recordings that show a person dying. The bill, which took effect last month, included one exception: spouses or parents of the deceased still may be given copies of such recordings. Maritza Perez, the dead teen's mom, has made a formal request for it.

Perez, 47, told The Miami Herald on Monday that prosecutors offered her a deal: They would give her a copy of the video if she vowed not to show it publicly. Perez said she declined the offer, because she wants everyone to know how her son died.

"Only the mother has the right to the tape, and I want the tape, and I'm going to show it to the world," Perez said. "I'm not going to let this die. I'm not going to let Eric die for nothing."

"I don't want other kids to suffer what my son went through. I don't want any other mother to suffer the way I have suffered," Perez said.

The fate of the seven to eight hours of video may be decided Tuesday morning. Prosecutors will ask Palm Beach Circuit Judge Stephen A. Rapp at a 10:30 hearing to keep the video under wraps.

"This request is made to preserve the integrity of the pending criminal investigation, not to thwart the interests of the parents of the decedent," Assistant State Attorney Andrew R. Slater wrote in the motion.

The controversy surrounding the youth's death continued to swirl Monday, as a spokeswoman for state Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater blasted juvenile justice administrators for seeking to spend $5,000 from the Department of Juvenile Justice's budget to help Perez bury her son.

"My office is now working directly with the family's attorney through our Division of Risk Management, and my commitment is to have a check covering funeral expenses for this young man in the hands of the family within 24 hours," Atwater said in a prepared statement. Late Monday, Atwater's spokeswoman said a check had been mailed to the family overnight.

But Atwater did not stop there. He also accused juvenile justice administrators of adding to the family's pain by botching the expenditure. "Regrettably, this tragic delay would not have occurred if the Department of Juvenile Justice had not blatantly ignored guidance from my office. In the future, I would hope that DJJ would be more transparent in its dealings with the public and with taxpayer monies," Atwater wrote.

His spokeswoman, Anna Alexopoulis, said "the proper venue" for paying the funeral expenses would have been the CFO's Office of Risk Management, which defends the state against lawsuits — not the DJJ operating budget. Perez has notified the state of her intent to sue.

"DJJ failed to submit the claim to Risk Management even after our department had advised them to do so," Alexopoulis said.

A DJJ spokesman, C.J. Drake, replied: "We're pleased that this matter is finally being resolved in favor of the young man’s family."

On Saturday, The Herald reported that DJJ had sought the $5,000 to help the Perez family defray the costs of the teen's funeral under a policy implemented in 2008. Since then, DJJ administrators have paid the funeral costs for two other youths who died while in the agency's care, one in 2008 and another the following year. After first cutting the check last week, Atwater's office then instructed DJJ to destroy it.

Also on Monday, DJJ administrators confirmed they had fired a guard who had been the subject of a lengthy article in The Herald last week. The guard, Laryell King, had previously worked for several years at the agency's lockup in Orange County, but was fired after leaving youths unsupervised — including locking up one boy in a room for 45 minutes, until he banged on a door to get help. Her personnel record included a strong warning: "NO rehire in any position." Nevertheless, she was rehired in September 2010 at the West Palm Beach detention center. King could not be reached for comment.

King's dismissal letter, which is dated July 29, said King had failed to complete her probation at the West Palm Beach lockup "satisfactorily," and Florida law allowed her to be "terminated at any time without the right to appeal such action."


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Grand jury to probe teen's death in lockup"
Post by: Ursus on August 12, 2011, 12:46:32 AM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/01/2340907/grand-jury-to-probe-teens-death.html) left for the above article, "Grand jury to probe teen's death in lockup (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403392#p403392)" (By Carol Marbin Miller, 08.01.11, The Miami Herald):


SouthPort · 08/01/2011 09:13 PM
Dusty Roads · 08/02/2011 08:54 AM in reply to SouthPort
[/list]
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Dusty Roads · 08/02/2011 08:59 AM
http://www.garylawgroup.com/form.html (http://www.garylawgroup.com/form.html)[/list]
cassiuscasio · 08/02/2011 09:21 AM in reply to Dusty Roads
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vic1 · 08/02/2011 09:00 AM
UMFAN181818 · 08/02/2011 09:38 AM
ch1pn3ss · 08/02/2011 09:54 AM in reply to UMFAN181818
Locoenelcoco · 08/02/2011 10:08 AM in reply to ch1pn3ss
[/list][/list]
smash44 · 08/02/2011 10:42 AM
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U2J · 08/02/2011 01:12 PM in reply to smash44
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mung · 08/02/2011 11:17 AM
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CarolMarbinMiller · 08/02/2011 04:56 PM in reply to oloruawe
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U2J · 08/02/2011 01:06 PM
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UMFAN181818 · 08/03/2011 10:29 AM


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Grand jury to probe teen's death in ... lockup"
Post by: Ursus on August 12, 2011, 01:51:26 PM
An abbreviated version of the above article (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403392#p403392) (sans the last three paragraphs) also appeared in the Palm Beach Post on August 1st under the title Grand jury to probe teen's death in Palm Beach County juvenile lockup (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/grand-jury-to-probe-teens-death-in-palm-1682243.html).

Comments (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/grand-jury-to-probe-teens-death-in-palm-1682243.html) for this last article:


cj · 5:55 AM, 8/2/2011
Really · 8:45 AM, 8/2/2011
Kevin · 9:19 AM, 8/2/2011
JUSSSAYIN · 11:09 AM, 8/2/2011


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Grand jury convenes in death of West Palm teen
Post by: Ursus on August 13, 2011, 02:29:15 AM
The Associated Press version of recent events:

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

The Miami Herald
Posted on Tuesday, 08.02.11

Grand jury convenes in death of West Palm teen (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/02/2341363/grand-jury-convenes-in-death-of.html)

The Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Authorities say a grand jury is looking into the death of a teenager who died hours after unsuccessfully seeking medical care at a juvenile detention center in West Palm Beach.

On Tuesday morning, state prosecutors also plan to ask a judge to prevent the juvenile justice system from releasing video detailing 18-year-old Eric Perez's final hours at the detention center.

The Miami Herald reported (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/01/2340907/grand-jury-to-probe-teens-death.html) the teen's mother has requested the video under Florida's public records law. On Friday, prosecutors told the judge that the tape could "cause irreparable harm to the pending criminal and grand jury investigation."

Perez died July 10, hours after seeking help for a severe headache and vomiting. His cause of death remains undetermined.

Juvenile justice officials fired and suspended employees after the teen's death.

Information from: The Miami Herald, http://www.herald.com (http://www.herald.com)


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Grand Jury Investigating Teen's Death At Juvenile Facility
Post by: Ursus on August 13, 2011, 10:22:46 AM
Ouch! Say it ain't so! Did Eric Perez's mum cave to pressure from the State Attorney's Office?

-------------- • -------------- • --------------

abc25 - WPBF

Grand Jury Investigating Teen's Death At Juvenile Facility (http://http://www.wpbf.com/news/28739426/detail.html)
Teen's Mother Withdraws Request To See Video Of Son's Death

POSTED: 10:39 am EDT August 2, 2011

(http://http://www.wpbf.com/2011/0727/28684452_240X180.jpg)
Eric Perez died July 10 while in custody at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A grand jury is looking into the death of a teenager who died hours after unsuccessfully seeking medical care at a West Palm Beach juvenile detention center.

Eric Perez died July 10 while in custody at the Palm Beach Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

State prosecutors said Tuesday they plan to ask a judge to prevent the Department of Juvenile Justice from releasing video detailing the 18-year-old's final hours at the detention center.

The teen's mother had requested the video under Florida's public records law, but she later withdrew the request. Prosecutors told a judge Friday that the tape could "cause irreparable harm to the pending criminal and grand jury investigation."

Perez died hours after complaining of severe headaches and vomiting. His cause of death remains undetermined.

The Department of Juvenile Justice has since fired two employees and suspended six others.


Copyright 2011 by WPBF.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Title: Court hearing scheduled to analyze Eric Perez's death in...
Post by: Ursus on August 13, 2011, 10:38:03 AM
The original title for this article, prior to being updated, was "Grand jury to analyze Eric Perez's death in Palm Beach County juvenile lockup."

A last minute retraction of the request for the Palm Beach lock-up video ... obviated the need for a grand jury. So it got canceled.

Video news footage at the title link:

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NEWS CHANNEL 5 — WPTV

Court hearing scheduled to analyze Eric Perez's death in Palm Beach County juvenile lockup canceled (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/grand-jury-to-analyze-eric-perez's-death-in-palm-beach-county-juvenile-lockup)

Posted: 08/02/2011
By: Christina Mora

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A court hearing originally scheduled for Tuesday morning, which could have been pivotal in the case of Eric Perez, 18, who died in custody last month, never happened.

State prosecutors are calling on a grand jury to analyze the death of the teenager who died at a Palm Beach County juvenile detention center. The proceeding was going to center around a videotape showing Perez's last hours alive.

Perez's mother wanted to see the tape, and state prosecutors wanted to prevent its release, saying it would hurt a potential criminal case.

The court received a fax Tuesday morning from the new attorney representing Perez's mother, saying she has withdrawn her request to see the video. But she says, she'd like to reserve the right to see it in the future.

Perez was in custody for possessing marijuana. Authorities say he died hours after complaining he was sick.


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Mother of teen who died in West Palm Beach juvie jail rescin
Post by: Ursus on August 17, 2011, 02:06:16 AM
The Palm Beach Post

Mother of teen who died in West Palm Beach juvie jail rescinds request for videotape (http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/crime/mother-of-teen-who-died-in-west-palm-1684814.html)

BY JANE MUSGRAVE
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Updated: 8:56 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011
Posted: 12:55 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011

(http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/multimedia/dynamic/00967/eric_perez2_967876k.jpg)
Eric Perez · Photo provided

(http://http://www.palmbeachpost.com/multimedia/dynamic/00968/perez_968852k.jpg)
Maritza Perez, the mother of Eric Perez, at a press conference Monday afternoon. (Damon Higgins/The Palm Beach Post)

WEST PALM BEACH — The mother of an 18-year-old who died in a juvenile detention center in July has decided not to seek a videotape that she believes would shed light on what happened to her son.

A court hearing on Maritza Perez's request was canceled Tuesday after she met with state prosecutors, her new attorney John Caracuzzo said. With the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office planning to launch a grand jury investigation into the July 10 death of Eric Perez, his mother decided to withdraw her quest for the video- at least temporarily.

"Prosecutors felt that what was best for their investigation was not to have the tape released," Caracuzzo said. "Ms. Perez does not want to do anything that might impede their investigation."

He expressed confidence that prosecutors Scott Richardson and Andrew Slater were committed to finding out why medical treatment wasn't given to Eric, who died nearly eight hours after guards found him in his cell dazed and confused.

The request for the videotape was filed by Maritza Perez's former attorney. The attorney, Richard Schuler, is now representing Perez's father, Placido Ventura. A state law that went into effect last month prohibits the release of videotapes when a death is involved, however such tapes can be released to parents and spouses.

In a court papers, Slater argued that the tape could be withheld from parents if a death is under investigation. Caracuzzo declined comment on whether he shares Slater's view. At this point, he said he wants to help prosecutors determine how Perez died rather than fight over the interpretation of a law.

The Florida Department of Justice has released few details about Perez's death. But while its inspector general and the West Palm Beach Department continue to investigate, the department has fired three employees. Anthony Flowers, the superintendent, remains on paid administrative leave along with three other officers, officials said.

On Monday, officer Laryell King was fired. Her termination letter states that she failed to successfully complete her probationary period. Two other officers - Floyd Powell and Terrence Davis - were fired for equally nebulous reasons. In termination letters, department officials said "we cannot tolerate staff not following policies and procedures, especially as it relates to the medical care of youth in custody."

Powell claims he was ordered not to call 911, even when it was clear Perez needed medical help. He has hired an attorney who said she plans to file a wrongful termination lawsuit on his behalf.

A confidential incident report The Palm Beach Post obtained two weeks ago said Perez appeared to be hallucinating when detention center guards went into his cell about 1:25 a.m. Even though he threw up, a nurse never arrived and guards didn't call 911.

Perez was given a soda and sent back to his cell where he was found unconscious about 6½ hours later. He was declared dead by paramedics about 8:10 a.m.

The medical examiner has not released an autopsy report. Maritza Perez has said that officials have given her conflicting explanations for her son's death. She was told that he had trouble breathing, that he had an enlarged heart and that he had bleeding in his brain.

Caracuzzo said he is hopeful that the facts surrounding Perez's death are forthcoming soon.

User comments are not being accepted on this article.


Copyright © 2011 The Palm Beach Post.
Title: Video of Eric Perez's final moments in detention center may.
Post by: Ursus on August 17, 2011, 01:52:12 PM
Video news footage at the title link:

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NEWS CHANNEL 5 — WPTV

Video of Eric Perez's final moments in detention center may not be released (http://http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/west_palm_beach/no-video-release-of-teen's-death)

Eric Perez's mother cancels video release hearing

Posted: 08/02/2011 8:02 PM
By: Mike Trim

(http://http://media2.wptv.com//photo/2011/08/02/Teens_detention_center7db8fc41-fe38-4828-92d4-ce4b4a8d06d10000_20110802184442_320_240.JPG)
Photographer: WPTV · Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - A teenager's death in a local juvenile lockup is now being treated as a criminal investigation.

18-year-old Eric Perez died last month at a West Palm Beach juvenile detention center.

Security camera video of his last moments may play a big part in that investigation.

By law, parents are allowed to have to this type of video, but the public isn't.

Prior to Monday morning, Perez's mother, Maritza Perez, said she not only wanted the video, but wanted everyone to see it.

That suddenly changed as Maritza Perez canceled the hearing at the Palm Beach County courthouse.

The hearing may have allowed her access to all video of her son's final hours alive.

Perez canceled the hearing through a faxed request from her attorney's office.

Eric Perez's cause of death hasn't been released, but his mother's attorney, John Caracuzzo, released a statement to NewsChannel Five.

"We wanted to cooperate with the state attorney's office with every extent we can," said Caracuzzo's statement.

Paperwork filed before the canceled hearing by the State Attorney's office asked a judge who would reside over that hearing to not release the video to the public.

The filed paperwork stated releasing the video to the public will cause irreparable harm to the pending criminal and grand jury investigation.

Medical records show Perez complained of headaches and violently vomited before dying.

Two detention center guards responsible for Perez when he died have been fired and the center's superintendent is suspended.

The State Attorney's office is tight lipped about which charges anyone could face if a criminal investigation finds fault with the detention center.

A State Attorney's office spokeswoman tells NewsChannel Five, "Our office doesn't comment on charges that may or may not be filed in the future."

Court papers filed by the State Attorney's office show the investigation into Perez's death is expected to take 60 to 90 days.

This is because it will take several weeks for the medical examiner's office to finish its report.


Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc.
Title: Mom drops request for video of son's death
Post by: Ursus on August 17, 2011, 02:36:18 PM
The Miami Herald
Posted on Tuesday, 08.02.11

JUVENILE JUSTICE CASE
Mom drops request for video of son's death (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/02/2342385/mom-drops-request-for-video-of.html)

BY CAROL MARBIN MILLER
[email protected]

(http://http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2011/07/15/22/15/JUPuA.Em.56.jpg)
Eric Perez (Photo provided)

The mother of a teenager who died at a South Florida juvenile detention center after seeking medical attention for hours is no longer seeking the video of his final hours at the lockup.

A hearing on the fate of the video, set for Tuesday morning, was canceled by lawyers for 47-year-old Maritza Perez, the teen's mother. Eric Perez, 18, was pronounced dead at 8:09 a.m. July 10, hours after he first starting vomiting and complaining of an excruciating headache. A guard from the West Palm Beach lockup told The Miami Herald he had tried to call 911, but was ordered not to by his supervisors. The guard has been fired, along with two others.

In a pleading filed in Palm Beach Circuit Court, Perez's lawyers wrote: "Let this serve as Ms. Perez's formal withdrawal at this time of her request for a copy of any and all video from the Palm Beach Regional Detention Center, as outlined by her previous attorneys' July 20, 2011" pleading.

"Ms. Perez reserves the right to renew this request at a later date," the pleading added.

Perez's lawyer, John Caracuzzo, said Perez met Monday with prosecutors, who persuaded his client to be patient while the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office presents evidence to a grand jury. Perez, Caracuzzo said, is eager to see justice done for her son, and is willing to wait for the grand jury to complete its work.

"Our first goal is to let prosecutors do what they need to do," Caracuzzo said.

Perez's withdrawal of her request for the video makes it unlikely the public will know any time soon exactly happened the morning of July 10 at the West Palm Beach lockup.

In the spring, state lawmakers passed a revision to Florida’s public records law forbidding the release of pictures or recordings that show a person dying. The bill, which took effect last month, included one exception: the spouse, parents or relatives of the deceased may still be given copies. Perez had insisted repeatedly she wanted "the world" to know how her son died. But if she does not seek the video, it is unlikely to see the light of day.

Since the youth's death, administrators with the Department of Juvenile Justice have fired three guards and suspended three other employees, including the lockup's superintendent, Anthony Flowers.


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "Mom drops request for video of son's death"
Post by: Ursus on August 17, 2011, 03:14:16 PM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/02/2342385/mom-drops-request-for-video-of.html) left for the above article, "Mom drops request for video of son's death (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403577#p403577)" (by Carol Marbin Miller, 08.02.11, The Miami Herald):


susanamalnati · 08/03/2011 08:59 AM
Nissey43 · 08/03/2011 09:51 AM
Sofrito · 08/03/2011 11:30 AM
Observer101 · 08/03/2011 01:21 PM
James Joyce · 08/03/2011 04:25 PM
James Joyce · 08/03/2011 04:26 PM


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: State seeks reforms for juvenile lockups
Post by: Ursus on August 20, 2011, 10:15:40 AM
The Miami Herald
Posted on Wednesday, 08.03.11

JUVENILE JUSTICE
State seeks reforms for juvenile lockups (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/03/2344115/state-seeks-reforms-for-juvenile.html)
 
While transparency is an important goal, it must not come at the expense of justice, Florida's top juvenile justice administrator said.

BY CAROL MARBIN MILLER
[email protected]

Florida's top juvenile justice chief vowed Wednesday to work tirelessly until administrators know what killed an 18-year-old youth at a South Florida lockup, and said the state has developed plans to ensure other detained children fare better.

Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Wansley Walters released a short statement Wednesday saying her department is investigating the death of 18-year-old Eric Perez, and aiding probes by the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office and West Palm Beach Police. Until the investigations are complete, Walters said, the agency will not be able to speak freely "about the incident itself and the steps we have taken to make us the national role model for juvenile justice administration."

"In the short term, DJJ's primary responsibility in this tragic incident is to ensure that these investigations proceed without delay or impairment," Walters wrote. "We won't rest until every question about Eric's death is answered.

"In the long term, we are determined to implement meaningful reforms that comprehensively improve how we serve the youth in our care and all our stakeholders," Walters added.

Among the reforms Walters is seeking: expanding statewide a civil citation and diversion program she implemented in Miami so that children at low risk do not end up in detention centers such as the one in which Perez died; reducing the number of children sent to locked detention centers; reforming the lockups themselves, and de-emphasizing residential centers in favor of prevention and early intervention programs for at-risk youth.

The push toward greater community-based interventions, Walters wrote, will "hold youth accountable, protect public safety, create jobs and promote healthy futures for children."

Walters' statement was released the day after Perez's mother withdrew her request for a copy of a video that depicts Perez's final hours at the West Palm Beach lockup, where he died June 10 after unsuccessfully seeking medical care for hours. The cause of the youth's death remains undetermined. Walters has insisted she wants her agency to be transparent and open, but not at the expense of hindering a criminal investigation into the teen's death.

"While I am committed to transparency in how we operate, I am also mindful that three investigations into this incident are under way, two of which are being conducted by law enforcement agencies," Walters wrote. "Nothing we say or do must compromise their work."


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.
Title: Comments: "State seeks reforms for juvenile lockups"
Post by: Ursus on August 20, 2011, 10:26:28 AM
Comments (http://http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/03/2344115/state-seeks-reforms-for-juvenile.html) left for the above article, "State seeks reforms for juvenile lockups (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=51&t=37561&p=403672#p403670)" (by Carol Marbin Miller, 08.03.11, Miami Herald):


michael wind · 2 weeks ago
studd · 2 weeks ago


Copyright 2011 Miami Herald Media Co.