A juvenile corrections officer in Georgia was arrested on suspicion of forcing boys to play "fighting games" at his facility. rice field. Death of a young man, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Thomas Lee Hicks, 30, was charged with one count of second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree child abuse, and one count of Breach of Public Service (GBI). he said on Tuesday.
Hicks worked as a staff member at the Waycross Regional Youth Detention Center in Waycross, Georgia. The boy was reported unconscious at the facility on August 9, according to the GBI. According to information provided to authorities, the youth "was in the presence of facility staff and other boys when he lost consciousness," the GBI said.
The boy was transferred to Memorial Health Hospital in Savannah, where he died. The boy's name and his age have not yet been released.
As a result of the investigation into this incident, GBI officials allege that Hicks forced the boys to play "fighting games" in his presence, which led to the boy's death.
Hicks was arrested Tuesday night and is currently being held at the Wear County Jail. If convicted, he could face up to 75 years in prison for the felony.
In a statement Tuesday, Commissioner Tyrone Oliver of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) said Hicks was fired and his behavior was "deplorable." ” and not representative of the agency’s “core values”.
"The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our young people, him," said Oliver. "Our hearts go out to the families, friends and loved ones of the youth and they remain in our thoughts and prayers."
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