State to build new Wilder Youth Development Center … MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) says millions of dollars from a first-of-its-kind real estate plan will aid in building a new John S. Wilder Youth Development Center in Fayette County. DCS says they received $107 million in additional funding through the real estate plan, and $19 million of the approved […]
Environmental groups recruit people of color into … BARABOO, Wis. (AP) — Arianna Barajas never thought of herself as the outdoors type. The daughter of Mexican immigrants who grew up in Chicago’s suburbs, her forays into nature usually amounted to a bike ride to a community park. She was interested in wild animals but had no idea she could make a living working […]
Wilder Youth Development Center to get safety and … NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The state is moving forward with upgrades to Wilder Youth Development Center, where juveniles from Shelby County and across the state go when they’re found guilty of violent crimes. The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services went before the State Building Commission Thursday morning and sought approval for a series of real estate […]
Reports of staff locked in cells, fights and more … FAYETTE COUNTY, Tenn. — Youth escaping, staff members being locked in cells, hectic fights — WREG Investigators have uncovered more problems at Wilder Youth Development Center in Fayette County. WREG Investigators uncovered 36 pages of reports detailing the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s response to Wilder. The center is where teenage boys from across the state are […]
Escapes, riots, assaults: Concerns mounting at Wilder … FAYETTE COUNTY, Tenn. — WREG Investigators uncovered a long list of problems at Wilder Youth Development Center in Fayette County, where juveniles from Shelby County and across the state go when they’re found guilty of violent crimes. The problems include escapes, riots, and assaults. Raymond Taylor said his son Brian went to Wilder when he […]
Bill aims to crack down on juveniles who escape development … MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Recent escapes from the Wilder Youth Development Center in West Tennessee have led to a new bill being introduced in the general assembly. The Wilder Youth Development Center in West Tennessee is a juvenile justice facility for boys and young men in Fayette County. But it also has a long history of […]
Second teen caught after escaping Fayette County … MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Another teenager who escaped from Wilder Youth Development Center in Fayette County earlier this month was caught in Cheatham County, the Department of Children’s Services said Tuesday. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said a resident who lives near the detention center reported they saw three males run through their backyard on March […]
One teen captured after escaping Fayette County youth … MEMPHIS, Tenn. — One of three teenage boys who escaped the Wilder Youth Development Center in Fayette County was captured in Nashville, the Department of Children’s Services confirmed Tuesday. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday evening, a resident who lives near the detention center reported they saw three males run through their backyard. Wilder […]
Three teens escape Fayette County youth detention … MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The search is on for three teenage boys on the run in West Tennessee after escaping the Wilder Youth Development Center late Saturday night. Tennessee’s Department of Children’s Services provided the following: “Three youth escaped from The Wilder Youth Development Center Saturday evening. DCS immediately notified law enforcement of the identities of the missing teens when […]
16-year-old charged with attempted murder escapes … UPDATE: The teen was captured on March 1 at 10:30 p.m., according to the Oakland Police Department. ** MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A 16-year-old boy who was charged with attempted first-degree murder is on the run Wednesday after escaping DCS custody in Fayette County. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said the teen, Devin Westbrook, escaped from […]
County Commission adopts 5-year plan to reduce juvenile … MEMPHIS, Tenn.– A Shelby County Commission committee voted Wednesday to adopt a five-year Safe Community Action Plan from the Memphis-Shelby County Crime Commission as a framework to support legislation for public safety initiatives. Memphis-Shelby County Crime Commission President Bill Gibbons presented some of the more than 60-page plan to Shelby County Commissioners Wednesday, saying there […]
