MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Two parents, on behalf of Disability Rights Tennessee, filed a class action lawsuit against the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.
The suit claims youth in Tennessee’s juvenile justice system, many of whom have disabilities, are denied support during their rehabilitation, education and treatment.
The plaintiffs claim that youth are punished for their symptoms through solitary confinement, pepper spray and peer-on-peer violence.
“Defendants’ use of pervasive violence and abuse instead of treatment exacerbates the mental health, behavioral, intellectual, and developmental issues that Youth experience, including driving Youth to commit acts of self-harm and suffer suicidal ideations,” the suit claims.
You can read the lawsuit in full here:
The lawsuit also lists DCS Commissioner Margie Quin and Tennessee Department of Education Commissioner Lizzette Reynolds as defendants.
DCS told Action News 5 they are aware of the lawsuit, but declined to comment further.
A 2022 audit determined that DCS failed to investigate dozens of sexual abuse and sexual harassment cases.
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