DETROIT (WWJ) -- Michigan State Police and the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) have launched an investigation into ongoing problems at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility amid allegations that a 12-year-old boy was sexually assaulted while housed there.
As more information became available Friday morning, WWJ's Charlie Langton outlined the current situation at the detention center.
Langton said that both MSP and MDHHS will be investigating the purported sexual assault and that MDHHS will also be looking into the ongoing reports of understaffing and overcrowding at the facility, which has been under scrutiny for months.
While the center only has 80 beds reserved for detainees, around 150 juveniles are currently being held at the facility.
Langton said that a state judge called conditions there "horrible" and "a crisis situation."
In addition these official inquiries, seven county workers have been suspended, per the Detroit Free Press. Deputy Director of Administration Mark Roland was also let go Friday morning, and the Facility Director was reassigned to a different position.
According to a county employee who spoke to the Detroit Free Press under the condition of anonymity, the child was assaulted by three other youths.
It was also reported that the boy was released to his mother Thursday night and that the family was provided with contact information for several therapists.
MDHHS will also be sending extra staff to help manage the detention center until their assessment of the facility is complete.
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