HUDSONVILLE, Mich. – A teenager was placed in a holding cell and forgotten about overnight.
According to Ottawa County authorities, the 17-year-old was arrested on Jan. 10, for a probation violation.
The bailiff placed the teen in a holding cell at the Hudsonville courthouse.
Ottawa County officials tell FOX 17 News that a cursory check of the cell was never conducted. They also said that the bailiff and the security officer did not have direct communication about the teen.
The teen was released from the cell the following morning on Jan. 11.
11 Comments to “Teen Forgotten, Left In Jail Cell Overnight”
January 17, 2013 at 6:29 PM
A new reporter with nothing better to do?
January 17, 2013 at 6:41 PM
Oh well. If the kid wasn't a trouble maker he wouldn't have been forgotten about! The lesson here is stay out of trouble and you won't be forgotten about!
January 17, 2013 at 6:42 PM
to the above comment… NO… that's bullshit that he was left in there. You don't know what that jail is like, so you shouldn't be commenting. They are not trying to rehabilitate anyone in there, but instead are focused on humiliating them, making them feel like they are just a burden to society and will never change.
January 17, 2013 at 6:49 PM
Trouble maker or not there is a legal principle of "due process" the police need to respect. And an issue involving the lack or breakdown in "due process" is VERY appropriate news. I hope the police in Hooterville are reviewing their procedures and taking corrective action so it doesn't happen again. If not, then why not? Maybe Ms. McMaster could do the public a good deed by following up on that point.
January 17, 2013 at 8:23 PM
Right on! Due Process is gauranteed until the constitution. Would be okay to leave a kid in a room with no toilet, no food, and nothing comfortable to sit on. That "cell" is not equipped for any overnight stays. Once the person faces the judge they go back to the precinct cell. No one deserves to be forgotten about!!!!!
January 17, 2013 at 7:15 PM
He was left in a cell at the court house, not jail. Those holding cells don't have toilets and no way for him to receive any food. This is just wrong no matter what he did to get there.
January 17, 2013 at 7:49 PM
Lucky he didn’t have a health issue and die in there. The person that failed at their job should have to spend a night in that cell and then go file for unemployment benifits.
January 17, 2013 at 7:57 PM
I'm sure he or his parents will try to sue. I agree it was wrong but maybe the kid will think twice about the reason that got him there in the first place
January 17, 2013 at 9:40 PM
Absolutely Cheryl!!!! Agree with YOU 110% …… the kid will now think twice – maybe! Should this happen again – i hope not. But if the parents sue, or raise any bigger stink over this (other than a sincere promise from authorities that it will not happen again, maybe!) – - – it will make it 1000% worse and the kid will learn NOTHING.
January 17, 2013 at 10:50 PM
Good, maybe it did him some good!
January 19, 2013 at 1:38 PM
Due process he was there for a probation violation, that sounds like 2 strikes.