Federal prosecutors have charged two supervisors at a Bronx Juvenile Detention Center with violently dragging, punching and stomping a 16-year-old resident of the facility, then trying to cover up the beating.
Prosecutors charged Daquan Seymour, 33, and Rashawn Walker, 33, Wednesday with conspiring to deprive a minor of his constitutional rights and filing false reports.
The charges relate to an incident that took place on April 25 at Horizon Juvenile Center in the Bronx – a secure facility where officials have said about 100 young people between the ages of 12 and 21 accused of serious offenses are held. The facility is operated by the New York City Administration for Children’s Services.
Following a confrontation between juvenile residents and staff members, Seymour and Walker violently dragged the teenager across the floor by his forearms into a private room, according to a complaint. There, prosecutors say the men pinned his hands and struck him “repeatedly and forcefully” as he lay on the floor. At last, Walker delivered a “final and forceful stomp” to the teen’s stomach and groin area with his right foot. Seymour and Walker then left the teen in the room, prosecutors said.
The teen was taken to a nearby hospital, where he got nine stitches for a deep cut on his upper lip.
Prosecutors said when Seymour and Walker later wrote up an incident report, they omitted any reference to dragging or hitting the teen and instead said he was “escorted to his room an[d] counseled by staff.” Both men worked as associate youth development specialists.
Seymour was released on $100,000 bond after an appearance in Manhattan federal court. His lawyer did not return an inquiry. Walker’s lawyer could not be determined.
“Today’s charges allege a violent beating and a brazen coverup by two supervisors at a juvenile detention facility in the Bronx that left a teenage resident seriously injured,” said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. “My office is committed to protecting the constitutional rights of all New Yorkers, including minors residing at youth detention facilities, and will ensure that those who abuse their authority are held accountable.”
Marisa Kaufman, a spokesperson for ACS, said keeping young people safe is the agency’s top priority.
“When this incident occurred, we immediately referred the staff involved to the authorities, and the staff have not had contact with any youth since that time. We do not and will not accept such behavior,” Kaufman said in an emailed statement.
In March, Gothamist reported that a network of staff at the city’s two youth detention facilities were smuggling contraband to young people detained there, including Percocet, promethazine, liquor, cannabis, cash and razor blades.
A federal monitor’s report published in April said violent attacks at Horizon Juvenile Detention Center increased in 2022, and many staff members had quit. The report said there had been 14 attacks that left juveniles with serious injuries in 2022 up from eight in 2021. Meanwhile, 90 employees resigned in 2022, up from 78 in 2021. Horizon filled roughly 60% to 70% of its staff positions last year. But 38% of the staffers on the payroll were out on sick leave — often due to work-related injuries, the report said.
