MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced Wednesday he has been retained by siblings Latrice and Lawrence Johnson, who he said are two more abuse victims from Memphis' Youth Villages, after another teen died at the facility in November.
Crump, the teens, and the families of other teens who have claimed abuse from the group home held a press conference Wednesday.
He also represents the mother of Alegend Jones, a 17-year-old teen who died after an incident at Youth Villages.
Bartlett Police said Jones died after being taken to the hospital Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, after a “reported incident” at 7386 Memphis-Arlington. That’s the location of the Bartlett campus of Youth Villages. BPD said no further information is available.
“The details surrounding Alegend's death are both shocking and heartbreaking. No family should have to endure the pain of losing a child under such horrific circumstances,” said Crump in a statement. “We demand a thorough and impartial investigation into the events that led to Alegend's tragic death, including the public release of any and all footage from the Youth Villages. Her family deserves answers and justice, and we will continue to work on their behalf to ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts are held accountable.”
Crump said Jones was assaulted by more than a dozen Youth Villages counselors after being returned to the facility from the Shelby County Health Department. Crump said she refused to remove her clothes in front of male counselors for a medical examination, and was "body-slammed" by a counselor, which caused Health Department staff to call the police. It was then Crump said she was sent back to Youth Villages, where she was assaulted by staff, later suffering a brain bleed and dying.
The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) is investigating the death.
Youth Villages, in response, said Crump's claims about Jones' death were "false and inaccurate." The home said Jones was never alone with male staffers at the health department, and was taken there by female staff. Additionally, Youth Villages said Jones was never asked to undress in front of male staff.
"We are working closely with all relevant public safety and health authorities in response to this incident and are awaiting the official medical reports," Youth Villages said.
Erica Brown, mother to a 17-year-old boy who was the victim of a Youth Villages staffer who pleaded guilty to statutory rape in 2016, will also speak at the news conference alongside Ben Crump.
