Romeo Calhoun
Romeo Calhoun, 17, had been held at the St. Charles County Juvenile Justice Center for about ten days when detention staff found him dead during a wake-up call on a Thursday morning in March 2024. His mother, Peggy Davis, said he had schizophrenia, epilepsy and depression, that she had planned to visit him that afternoon, and that he had gone without his medication for 10 days while detained, a claim the judge has not addressed. His uncle, Devonta Davis, said he should have been coming home to his family. Presiding Judge Chris McDonough said Romeo died in his sleep and that there was no evidence of foul play, while police and a state child fatality review are underway. Officials said he had been playing basketball and eating dinner the day before and seemed fine, and the medical examiner has not determined the cause of death.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). Presiding Judge Chris McDonough said he died in his sleep, while the medical examiner has not determined the cause; his mother says he was not given his medication after arriving and suspects foul play, which the judge says there is no evidence of.
Reported by: St. Charles County officials (the agency that held him); St. Charles County Presiding Judge Chris McDonough (court); his mother.