Juvenile justice

The Scott County Board of Supervisors is pushing ahead with a plan to use pandemic relief funds to build a new juvenile detention center. That’s despite organized opposition from advocates who say the plan is an immoral and ineffective way to address troubled youth.

Cedar Rapids police have arrested a 17-year-old boy for allegedly killing both of his parents. According to a criminal complaint, the teen told officers he killed his parents with a knife and an ax in order to “take charge of his life."

The Iowa Department of Human Rights is adding another group under its juvenile justice division.

A former employee of the juvenile court system in northeast Iowa is facing criminal charges for allegedly racking up more than $130,000 in improper and unsupported credit card charges. A state investigation found Nicole Foelske used department funds to buy hundreds of gift cards which she routed into her personal bank account.

A committee within the Department of Human Rights is focusing on reducing the number of minority youth in Iowa’s juvenile detention. Its new initiative will add an extra step before booking youth into the juvenile justice system.