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Allegation vs. Fact

Over the past eight months, there have been innumerable false accusations made against Youth Villages and its staff regarding the events of Nov. 16, 2023.

Below is a list of allegations that were stated as fact and repeated across traditional news media and social media, along with the actual facts.

For a detailed account of the incident, visit our website here.

Allegation

  • 17 staff members committed heinous acts of violence against the youth (including body-slamming, assault, choking, etc.)

Fact

  • The medical examiner’s report shows there is no evidence of any intentional physical injury or abuse.
  • Witness accounts from the Shelby County Health Department support reports of the youth’s violent outbursts in her visit earlier in the day. The outbursts continued at the Youth Villages facility.
  • Staff followed all safety protocols and procedures. The youth displayed prolonged physical violence toward staff and was placed in a therapeutic hold for her own safety and the safety of the staff.

Allegation

  • Staff instructed or forced the youth to remove her clothes in front of two male counselors at the Shelby County Health Department.

Fact

  • All witnesses including Shelby County Health Department employees have affirmed the youth was accompanied by two female staff members. The youth was never alone with male staff and was never asked to take off her clothes in front of male staff or any staff.

Allegation

  • The organization condones violence or brutality against the youth it serves.

Fact

  • Abuse, violence and neglect are not tolerated under any circumstances.
  • Any allegation is taken very seriously, and reported to the Department of Children’s Services and all staff are mandatory reporters.
  • Our residential programs follow and meet stringent regulatory guidelines outlined by several governing bodies.

Allegation

  • The youth was choked or held down.

Fact

  • The Medical Examiner’s report made it clear there was no evidence of choking or injury to the youth’s air passageways.
  • Witnesses confirmed appropriate therapeutic hold techniques were used and medical staff were present.
  • Our staff are trained in behavioral interventions and follow strict protocols when working with the young people we serve. Staff follow Crisis Prevention Institute’s (CPI) techniques and safety training, which emphasize prevention, intervention, and nonphysical methods of managing disruptive behavior.
  • Therapeutic holds, performed with CPI protocols, are used as a last resort, when a youth’s behavior is a danger to themselves and others. Leadership and medical staff are present to ensure safety protocols are followed.

Allegation

  • The youth suffered a “brain bleed” from extensive trauma.

Fact

  • The medical examiner’s report showed no signs of head trauma or other traumatic injury to the head.

Allegation

  • The organization influenced the outcome of the medical examiner report.

Fact

  • Investigations were conducted by six separate agencies involving many of the organization’s leaders and staff.
  • Our organization worked closely and transparently with all relevant public safety and health authorities. We are cooperating fully with the investigations.
  • This included providing surveillance camera footage of the incident to all relevant public safety and health authorities.