Gynnya McMillen is my sister. On January 11, she was found dead in her room at a juvenile detention center, just one day after she arrived. Gynnya was a healthy sixteen year old, and the police have given us very little information about her death. Troubling media reports are now making it clear that my sister’s time at Lincoln Village Detention Center was filled with violence and neglect.
We are being told to trust the same police who have withheld information and initially dismissed the notion of foul play. We need to know what happened to Gynnya now. We know that there’s surveillance video of Gynnya that might provide answers – but so far, the police are refusing to let us see it.
Please join my family in demanding that Lincoln Village Regional Juvenile Detention Center release the surveillance video and provide answers about Gynnya’s death.
Since Gynnya’s death, we have been calling on the detention center to explain what happened and were told that there was nothing to explain about my sister’s passing.1 The state police even told the press that after interviewing everyone involved, they ‘didn’t expect that foul play was involved’ -even though they admitted that they couldn’t confirm if Gynnya was properly monitored or why she was left in a room by herself.2
Last Friday, disturbing details from Gynnya’s time in the detention center started coming to light. It was reported that upon arrival, multiple detention staff immobilized Gynnya using a martial-arts hold after she refused to take off her sweatshirt. It was also found that the center neglected to perform protocol 15 minute check ups on her.3 Even once they discovered she was not breathing, the center nurse did not immediately begin resuscitation. After realizing Gynnya was unresponsive, they waited 11 minutes, had a conversation with police and, finally, the nurse began performing CPR.4
Since these revelations, several juvenile justice advocates have expressed alarm at the way Gynnya was treated.5 It was Gynnya’s first time going to a juvenile detention center and although she had no prior criminal history, a court-designated worker made the decision for Gynnya to be entered into the criminal justice system instead of less traumatic options, such as myself or her many uncles, aunts and cousins who loved and supported her.3 However, as with adults, Black youth who have not been convicted of any crimes are placed in detention centers at higher rates for similar crimes as their counterparts. Also, Lincoln Village receives government funding per day for each child they have in custody. There are so many suspicious factors surrounding the death of Gynnya, and we need answers now!
Please join my family in demanding that Lincoln Village Regional Juvenile Detention Center release the surveillance video and provide answers about Gynnya’s death.
No child’s life should ever end after entering a detention center. No family should have to go this long without knowing what happened to their loved one. Please stand with me, the rest of Gynnya’s family and the Kentucky community in calling for justice.
Thank you,
Greg, Gynnya McMillen's Brother
http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/Gynnya/?t=1&akid=5341.497951.pWXK_Y
References:
1. “Vigil held outside juvenile detention center where teen died,” WLKY 01.01.2016 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5799?t=6&akid=5341.497951.pWXK_Y
2. “KY officials offer few answers after Gynnya McMillen’s death,” CBS News 1.20.2016 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5800?t=8&akid=5341.497951.pWXK_Y
3. “Alarms’ missed the day Gynnya McMillen died, experts say,” CBS News Jan 28 2016 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5801?t=10&akid=5341.497951.pWXK_Y
4. “Audio: CPR started 11 minutes after staff found Gynnya McMillen,” CBS News 01.30.2016 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5802?t=12&akid=5341.497951.pWXK_Y
5. “Official: Detention staff used martial arts on Gynnya McMillen,” CBS News 1.29.2016 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5803?t=14&akid=5341.497951.pWXK_Y
“Racial Disparities in Sentencing” American Civil Liberties Union 10.27.2014 http://act.colorofchange.org/go/5804?t=16&akid=5341.497951.pWXK_Y
