Board taps ex-Dallas County Juvenile Department director as interim amid investigations
Dallas County jail inmate who coerced teen to produce explicit videos sentenced
Dallas, TX
Second Dallas County juvenile detention center leader resigns amid state probe
The deputy director overseeing Dallas County’s juvenile detention center resigned Friday, marking the second leadership departure amid allegations of poor conditions and pending state investigations.
DeAndra Jones oversaw the Dr. Jerome McNeil Jr. Detention Center at the direction of Darryl Beatty, the former juvenile department director who resigned last month following an unannounced state inspection into allegations of “supervisory neglect” by the Office of the Inspector General at the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
Jones’ rationale for resigning is not clear. He declined to comment on his departure when reached by phone Monday afternoon.
The nine-member board overseeing Dallas County’s juvenile justice system met Monday to, in part, receive their first report about changes in the detention center from Interim Director Michael Griffiths, who they appointed as interim director last week.
The meeting comes a month after Beatty’s resignation. His tenure has been marred by allegations — which he denied in a news conference more than two weeks before he stepped down effective immediately — of poor, unsanitary and inhumane conditions at the detention center.
At the news conference, Jones, who had overseen the detention facility since October, said the facility’s detainees adhered to “highly structured” schedules with educational and recreational opportunities. Beatty and Jones said there was a 20% vacancy rate among juvenile supervision officers at the facilities, leading to changes in supervision practices.
“What we do here is an extremely important job, and my dedication to ensuring we are in compliance with the law is unwavering,” Jones said at the July 3 news conference.
Griffiths told the board that he named a replacement for Jones to serve in an interim capacity: Barbara Roberts, who served as a deputy director over institutions for the department from 2007 to 2010.
Roberts served under Griffiths in his final few years as juvenile department director. Griffiths has overseen juvenile services in counties across Texas and at the state level since 1983, the longest stint being from 1995 to 2010 as Dallas County’s director over the juvenile department.
Last week, in an interview with The Dallas Morning News, Griffiths said he quickly took steps to begin addressing issues in the department, which he characterized as a “systemic issue” solely within the detention center.
The facility, as a result, has fallen short of state standards for cleanliness and the seclusion of juveniles, he added.
Griffiths announced the appointment of Roberts, whose first day is Aug. 26, among a few other changes made in his first seven days on the job. As he gave his report, board members asked him about a path forward for a third-party review of the center and the county’s juvenile justice system — an idea supported by Dallas County Commissioner Andy Sommerman and Dallas County Judge Clay Lewis Jenkins, who both sit on the board.
Sommerman and Lewis Jenkins said they support a “top-to-bottom” review of the system by a third party. The duo contend such a review should be broad and all-encompassing, ensuring, they told The News, that issues with the department do not resurface in later years.
Other board members, including board chair Judge Cheryl Lee Shannon, pointed to the ongoing investigations by the Office of the Inspector General as a means to address the issues. Shannon said the board should lean on Griffiths’ expertise and allow him to assess the department before deciding whether to commission such a review.
Griffiths said he would draft a “scope of work” — a draft proposal of what a third-party agency would evaluate — for such a review. He plans to present that draft during the board’s next regular meeting in October.
A handful of people spoke during the meeting’s public comment period, including Rev. Michael W. Waters. Three days before the July 3 news conference hosted by Beatty and Jones, Waters called on the county to address issues in the detention center.
Waters, the founder of Abundant Life AME Church in Dallas, said Monday he “appreciated” Griffiths’ consideration of a third-party review. He questioned why other board members were seemingly opposed to the idea.
“My hope is that by October’s time, they come to the recognition that this gentleman, whom they laud, is seeking to move us in the right direction and that they would support his intuition,” Waters told The News.
For a moment, it looked like FC Dallas was on its way to another statement win at home tonight.
Petar Musa scored two first half goals, to extend his Golden Boot leading tally to nine goals. But after Dallas grabbed control, the Galaxy found a way back before halftime with goals from Lucas Sanabria and Joseph Paintsil.
The second half brought more chances and more frustration for Dallas, which finished the night with 13 shots to LA’s nine. In the end, the point stretched Dallas’ unbeaten run to five games, though just like last week, it felt like another match where Dallas left points on the table.
Key Moments
7’ – GOAL! After a poor pass back by a LA defender, Petar Musa was free to go one-on-one with the LA goalkeeper. After a touch to get ahead of a defender, Musa slotted home his eighth goal of the season from outside the penalty box.
21’ – Offside! Joaquin Valiente sent a floating ball over the Galaxy defense, where Musa was able to get behind the defense and make an easy play for what appeared to be his second goal of the night. The play was called offside despite a fairly lengthy review period.
38’ – GOAL! This one counts! Musa gets his second of the night off a great ball from Chris Cappis. Logan Farrington picked off the ball in the midfield. He then played Cappis wide to the left of the penalty area. Cappis immediately played a ball back across the goal for Musa to slide in and finish for his ninth of the season.
43’ – Goal LA. Lucas Sanabria got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He took a couple of touches to get outside the penalty box before firing a shot that beat Michael Collodi at the near post.
45+4’ – Goal LA. Gabriel Pec got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He pulled the ball back a bit, which caught a pair of Dallas defenders. This allowed Joseph Painstil to get free behind the Dallas defense as Pec played him through inside the penalty area. Pec immediately smashed home a shot above Collodi to tie the game.
75’ – Another offside goal. This time on a corner kick for Dallas, after a scrum in the penalty box, Kaick hammered home what looked to be the go-ahead goal. But after a few seconds the flag was raised due to a deflection on Osaze Urhoghide, who was in an offside position.
Instant Reaction
Yeah, this is another disappointing result for this team. In a real way, it felt like the first half against Houston from last month. Dallas grabbed the lead, looked in control, but some defensive miscues opened the game up for the visitors to climb back.
With a double-game week coming up, this will certainly be another game where Dallas will wonder ‘what if’ more than anything else…especially when you factor in the two goals called off for offside.
About the Subs
Eric Quill went to his bench for the first time in the 66th minute, as he brought on Santiago Moreno for Logan Farrington. Quill went to his bench again 81st minute with Ran Binyamin and Nolan Norris coming on for Sebastien Ibeagha and Deedson. The final sub came during stoppage time with Herman Johansson and Joaquin Valiente coming off for Sam Sarver and rookie Nick Simmonds, who made his MLS debut.
Man of the Match
No question about it tonight, it has to be Musa.
Where does this fit into the season
As of this writing, the draw puts Dallas into a three-way tie for 5th place with Real Salt Lake and Seattle. Both are in action right now and look firmly in control of their games. I’d expect Dallas to be in 7th place by the end of the night.
What’s next for FC Dallas
Dallas wraps up a three-game homestand next Wednesday night as they host Minnesota United.
Dallas, TX
Akheem Mesidor selected by Cowboys by Blogging The Boys in SB Nation’s community mock draft
Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
Pass rush has been an issue since the Micah Parsons trade. The Rashan Gary trade helped, but Dallas still needs an injection of talent. Akheem Mesidor fits here because his body size allows for some versatility inside and out, something DC Christian Parker utilizes. Mesidor is also a high-motor player with a deep bag of pass rush moves.
His last season at Miami was full of disruption in the offensive backfield and he shows an all-around game, not just a bend-around-the-edge pass rusher. Yes, he’s a little older than you’d like in a rookie (25), but his motor, pass rush toolbox, and ability to play the run matches up with a need and makes him a quality pick at number 20.
The City of Dallas Office of Community Police Oversight is hosting a Public Safety Response Symposium to connect residents with public safety leaders. Here’s how to participate on May 9.
The Dallas Police Department posted to social media about the event on Friday afternoon. The post states, “Join public safety leaders for an inside look at how emergency and non-emergency calls are handled and how resources are deployed across Dallas.”
The symposium will be held at the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center, 1403 Washington St., fro 11 a.m.-noon on May 9. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided.
Topics for the symposium include:
- How 911 calls are handled and dispatched
- How DPD uses specialized units and technology to improve response times
- When to use 311 for non-emergency services
- How crisis and behavioral health teams collaborate through alternative response strategies
There will also be a community Q&A forum where residents can engage directly with public safety leaders. Moderation will be provided.
Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux will offer the opening remarks. Featured speakers include 911 Communications Center Assistant Director Robert Uribe; Major of Police Anthony Greer; 311 Senior Outreach Specialist Stephen Walker; and Emergency Management & Crisis Response Director Kevin Oden.
When it comes to parking: Enter through Gate 2 and drive straight to the Pan Am Gate, and continue to the Briscoe Center (located on the left).
RSVP for the Public Safety Response Symposium here.
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