MISSISSIPPI
Hattiesburg American
JACKSON — The state Court of Appeals has upheld an award of $500,000 to a teenager who was sexually abused by workers at facilities operated by the Mississippi Department of Human Services in Starkville and Ackerman.
In 2007, the Appeals Court upheld a Hinds County judge’s ruling that MDHS was liable for failing to protect the minor from sexual abuse by workers at the two facilities and to monitor his treatment. The court record shows the teen was in MDHS custody and assigned to the facilities.
The case was returned to Hinds County for determination of damages. The two sides allowed the judge to determine damages. Circuit Judge Winston Kidd in 2010 awarded the teenager $500,000.
On Tuesday, the Appeals Court, in a 5-5 decision, upheld the damage award.
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