NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans now faces a lawsuit after a 16-year-old boy was beaten by a jail counselor at the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center last year in December, according to Nola.com.
Garland Duplessis, 51, was arrested on Dec. 15 when police said he "struck the boy repeatedly in his head and face with a radio and fist." He was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on second-degree cruelty to juveniles and was released on a $10,000 bond.
Tuesday the mother of the teen, Angela Overton's attorneys, filed a federal lawsuit seeking damages for her son's pain and suffering, our partners reported.
"The complaint names Duplessis, Juvenile Justice Intervention Center brass, and the city as defendants. It alleges the city hired an unqualified candidate in Duplessis due to low staffing."
According to Nola.com, Overton's attorneys argued that Duplessis used excessive force and violated the rights of her son who has a history of mental illness. The lawsuit alleges "negligence against the city, claiming it failed to act though Duplessis had exhibited 'a lack of self-control, impulsive behavior, and/or proclivity towards violence.' "
However, Duplessis blames the teen.
The lawsuit echoed the police report stating that the teen walked away with multiple cuts to his head and face, and a broken nose, "J.L.’s blood covered the entire unit", Nola.com reported.
On Thursday, Duplessis said he was unaware of the federal lawsuit and did not provide any further comments.
Overton's attorneys did not respond to questions.
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