Attorney's for the transgender teen known as Jane Doe have sued the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, alleging that staff members constantly refer to her by her male birth name and use masculine pronouns, force her to wear boys' uniforms and have banned her from using her wig and make-up. It is alleged that DCF has violated her constitutional rights and federal laws by detaining her in "traumatizing solitary confinement for most of 2014.
Civil liberties and children's rights advocates have been highly critical of her confinement, especially when she was held at an adult women's prison without any criminal charges earlier this year after state Department of Children and Families officials deemed her too violent for other facilities.
A DCF spokesperson referred all questions to the state AG's office, which declined to comment, citing pending litigation.
Civil liberties and children's rights advocates have been highly critical of her confinement, especially when she was held at an adult women's prison without any criminal charges earlier this year after state Department of Children and Families officials deemed her too violent for other facilities.
A DCF spokesperson referred all questions to the state AG's office, which declined to comment, citing pending litigation.
Jane is being detained at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown, which is operated by DCF.
One of the girl's lawyers, Aaron Romano, criticized the youth agency for what he called inconsistent treatment. He said that while she has been receiving hormone therapy under the agency's care, she's being treated like a boy at the detention center.
Unfortunately there's been this schizophrenic approach by DCF.
--Romano
[I]t is psychologically damaging and harmful for a transgender female to be placed in a male facility and to be unable to express herself as female.
--the amended lawsuit
it is also alleged that detention center staff "offered" to put the girl in the general population, despite her fears of being assaulted, harassed and humiliated.
Her lawyers say she has been traumatized by a history of sexual and physical abuse and neglect. The Department of Children and Families has been involved with her since she was 5, and she's in the agency's custody because of child protection and juvenile delinquency proceedings.
The department first placed her at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School in January, after officials say she assaulted a staff member at a private treatment program.
She was transferred to the state adult women's prison in Niantic in April, despite having no pending criminal charges, after child welfare officials told a state judge she was too violent for other facilities. Amid criticism by advocates, she was transferred in June to a locked treatment center for girls in Middletown, where officials say she got into a fight with other girls and a staff member. She was then returned to the training school.
The girl's lawyers, state Child Advocate Sarah Eagan and the state chapter of the ACLU have been calling on officials to move her to a more appropriate setting with mental health counseling.