The arrest of a 13-year-old boy in connection with a series of armed carjackings and robberies across Baltimore has sparked a debate on juvenile crime and the effectiveness of the Department of Juvenile Services.
The young suspect, who was reportedly wearing an ankle monitor at the time of his arrest this week, has a history of 18 prior felony offenses, according to investigators.
Jason Johnson, former Baltimore City Police Deputy Commissioner, described the case as emblematic of the frustrations residents have with DJS and repeat young offenders. “Something has to be done to protect the public and protect this young person,” Johnson said.
He emphasized the importance of juvenile detention facilities, stating, “The state maintains juvenile detention facilities for a reason. And this is a poster child literally for the type of person that needs to be detained.”
Johnson clarified that the call for detention is not indefinite. “No one is saying detained for the rest of his life … detained for now. Until there can be some sort of court action to determine what the remedy is going to be with respect to this person,” he said.
The arrest has raised questions about how DJS handles youth crime, especially as the agency, under acting director Betsy Fox Tolentino, implements changes. These include a new policy effective July 3, which mandates that any child charged with a crime while on an ankle monitor will be automatically held in detention until their next hearing.
Baltimore attorney Kurt Nachtman, a former city prosecutor, commented on the changes.
“I certainly think we’re on a stepping stone in the right direction,” Nachtman said. He noted that recent legislative changes have limited the ability of prosecutors and judges to manage juvenile offenders effectively. “It has a lot more to do with the changes in the law that the General Assembly made that marginally tied the hands of prosecutors and judges,” he said.
Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates is advocating for policy changes at DJS, particularly regarding who should make detention decisions. Bates believes judges, after hearing from attorneys on both sides, should be responsible for these decisions, rather than DJS acting as the primary gatekeeper.
Have a news tip? Contact Keith Daniels at kdaniels@sbgtv.com and follow him on X at @KeithDFox45.
