Nacaya Deoncay Matthews
Nacaya Matthews was 15 when she died on August 12, 2017, while held at the Rockdale Juvenile Justice Center in Milam County, Texas. The facility was run at the time by the private company 4M Youth Services. Her parents say she died by suicide by hanging in a cell. In their lawsuit against the company, they say that in June she told staff a guard was sexually inappropriate with her, and that the guard was later charged with aiding a suicide. A Texas Attorney General custodial death report, based on a filing by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department's Office of Inspector General, also records her death.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). Her parents' lawsuit against 4M Youth Services says she hanged herself in her cell after telling staff in June that a guard was sexually inappropriate with her, and that staff failed to protect her.
Reported by: parents, in a lawsuit against 4M Youth Services (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Her parents sued 4M Youth Services, the private company that managed the Rockdale Juvenile Justice Center, and no settlement or award amount is reported.