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Texas Juvenile Jail Suicide Settles for $100,000

On October 5, 2001, the Denton County Juvenile Detention Center in Texas agreed to a pre lawsuit settlement of $100,000 in the suicide death of Seth Moss. Moss, 15, was being held in the Center as a runaway. Apparently Moss hung himself thinking that he would promptly be found by staff, rescued and then sent to a less restrictive facility. Unfortunately for Moss, guards were late making their rounds that day so Moss hanged himself and died before anyone could find him.

An investigation by the Juvenile Probation Commission concluded that state standards had been violated and there was "reason to believe" child neglect had occured on Moss's death. The county settled the claim filed by Moss's family before a lawsuit was filed. Moss's estate was represented by Michael G. Lee of Locker and Lee in Irving, Texas. See: Creel v. Denton County .

Source: National Law Journal

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Related legal case

Creel v. Denton County