Heisler Hired By Slain Teen's Family In Restraint Death Case
Click here to watch the NAACP Report with Steven Heisler and the family of Isaiah Simmons III.
Baltimore- The family of Isaiah Simmons III, has retained Steven H. Heisler to represent them regarding the teen’s death at a Carroll County juvenile residential facility.
Simmons died on January 23, 2007 at Bowling Brook Preparatory School after seven counselors physically restrained him for nearly three hours. After he lost consciousness, the staff delayed CPR and waited 41 minutes before calling 911. Paramedics brought him to Carroll County General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
“It is undisputed that the staff members at Bowling Brook tortured Mr. Simmons for nearly three hours and caused his death. Neither the counselors nor Bowling Brook have apologized or expressed remorse and that angers me,” said Heisler.
Heisler also expressed bewilderment that Bowling Brook, a privately-run facility, was allowed to operate with minimal state oversight. “The State of Maryland has blood on it’s hands. They know that Bowling Brook was routinely restraining and hurting these kids and did absolutely nothing about it,” said Heisler.
The Simmons family has expressed outrage that the counselors have only been charged with reckless endangerment. A Carroll County Grand Jury indicted six of the seven counselors on a misdemeanor charge for failing to call 911 in a timely manner. The Grand Jury declined to indict for manslaughter. Carroll County State’s attorney Jerry Barnes refused the family’s request afterwards to file manslaughter charges.
“The textbook definition of manslaughter is reckless conduct which results in death. That’s exactly what happened here,” said sister Danielle Carter. The family has contacted the Justice Department and is requesting that it file federal civil rights charges against the defendants.
The case is also attracting national attention because the family contends that Barnes would have filed manslaughter charges if Simmons was not a young African- American Juvenile offender from Baltimore City. Carroll County is predominantly white.
“We in no way intended to make race an issue in this case but we can think of no other reason that Mr. Barnes would not file manslaughter charges, considering the brutality and length of the restraint,” said Ms. Carter. The family staged a rally this past summer with the Baltimore NAACP and a rally is planned for early 2008 to coincide with the Carroll County reckless endangerment trials.
In The News
- Family Sues Over Teen's Death At Bowling Brook
- Ruling in Isaiah Simmons death points out need for legislative reform in criminal laws
- In memory, hope of reform - Gathering will mark year since death at juvenile home
- CPR, 911 call for youth were delayed - Bowling Brook staff believed boy feigned sleep while unconscious, school reports
- Youth facility will be closed: Teen died in restraint at Bowling Brook school
- Sun Coverage: Teen dies at Bowling Brook
- Students Pulled From School Where Teen Died
- Isaiah Simmons Death Ruled A Homicide
- 6 indicted in Md. juvenile offender's death
- Student Dies After Struggle With Staff - washingtonpost.com
- Black leaders plan rally over teen’s death