Deputy cleared of abuse in fight at juvenile center

2/19/2005

The Lucas County Sheriff's Office has cleared one of its deputies of wrongdoing for his part in a confrontation with a 15-year-old boy last month at the county's Juvenile Justice Center, but the FBI and Lucas County Children Services are continuing to look into the matter.

The teenager claimed he suffered a fractured jaw and several minor injuries. His mother told Toledo police her son was treated in St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.

On Jan. 20, the boy, who was handcuffed, was being moved from a courtroom to a detention area, which are in the same building, when he head-butted security personnel.

Deputy Troy Jackson, a 10-year veteran of the department, "put the kid on the ground, held him there until he had calmed down," Sheriff James Telb said.

Sheriff Telb told The Blade he had not heard that the boy had a fractured jaw. "If he had a broken jaw, it could have been broken when he went to the ground or when he head-butted the deputy even," the sheriff said.

The incident was reported to Toledo police by the boy's mother on Jan. 24. But because the report indicated it was a misdemeanor assault, it was not assigned to detectives who investigate felonies, police Lt. Bill Moton said.

The sheriff said he was contacted by an FBI agent about the incident. Carl Spicocchi, head of the Toledo FBI office, could not be reached for comment.

Dean Sparks, executive director of Children Services, declined to comment specifically on the incident but said his agency investigates all reports of child abuse or neglect.