Charlie Maze
Charlie Maze was a 16-year-old transgender young man whom his mother, Michelle Knowles, describes as special, bright, a joy and a good conversationalist, with a loving family and supportive teachers and doctors. He was held at the Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland, Maine, and died by hanging in late 2016. His mother says his mental health needs went unmet, that Long Creek staff had information that could have prevented his death, that he had attempted suicide there before, and that guards were checking on him only every nine or ten minutes. The ACLU of Maine and GLAD have asked the Attorney General to investigate, and state officials declined to comment, citing confidentiality laws.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). His mother, Michelle Knowles, says Long Creek staff ignored his mental health needs and checked on him only every nine or ten minutes despite a prior suicide attempt there, and the ACLU and GLAD have asked the Attorney General to investigate; state officials declined to comment citing confidentiality laws.
Reported by: mother, Michelle Knowles (family or their lawyers); ACLU and GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) (advocates).