Live, Local, Late Breaking news, weather, and sportsVictim's mother speaks to Fox 54, wants justice in YDC beating death

Victim's mother speaks to Fox 54, wants justice in YDC beating death

She's angry, and wants answers in the brutal attack on her son.

Evangeline Holder drove from Sylvester, GA late last night after hearing her 19-year-old son, Jade, had been injured in  a fight at the Richmond County Youth Detention Center .

At first, she was told by YDC officials his injuries weren't that bad.

"They said maybe some broken bones and some lacerations," says Holder.

But when she arrived at MCG Health Center, she was informed it was much worse.

"Commissioner Bradley told me my son had been beaten very badly," she says.

Jade was brain dead, pronounced deceased a little after 3:00 p.m. this afternoon.

His mother is crushed.

"It's devastating," Holder says.

Evangeline says the Department of Juvenile Justice told her five to eight young men, as well as a guard were arrested in connection with her son's assault.

"They told me they didn't know whether or not my son opened his cell door and let the boys in," says Holder. "Or if a guard left the door open so the boys could get in."

But she says the explanation given to her doesn't make sense.

"I just do not believe that my son would open his cell door, which is locked constantly, to let five to eight boys in to beat him to death," says Holder.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case. Numerous calls from Fox 54 were unanswered and unreturned. The Department of Juvenile Justice declined comment, citing the ongoing investigation.

Holder was told that Jade was always on his best behavior at the center.

"He wasn't getting in any trouble. All the directors, nurses, and the teachers told me he was a bright student," she says. "He was doing real well. He didn't have any disciplinary actions."

Evangeline wants peace for her son, and says she doesn't believe justice has been fully served.

"I do not believe you have incarcerated all the people that were involved in my son's death," she says about the DJJ. "This was not an accident. This was premeditated murder. And I want justice."

A statement from the Department of Juvenile Justice says the incident is under investigation by the GBI, and all measures, including criminal charges, will be taken if any youth or staff is found to have committed criminal acts.

According to his mother, Holder had been at the Richmond County Youth Detention Center for less than six months, serving time on a theft conviction in Worth County, GA.

Full Department of Juvenile Justice statement:

STATEMENT FROM DJJ REGARDING INCIDENT AT AUGUSTA YDC

Last night, at approximately 9 p.m., an incident occurred at the Augusta Youth Development Campus in which a youth was seriously injured and transported to a nearby hospital. The Commissioner has requested that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation initiate a criminal investigation into the incident.  That investigation is currently underway. Should there be any evidence of staff or youth misconduct or criminal activity, DJJ will take all appropriate measures, including referrals for criminal prosecution. Additional precautionary measures are being used to ensure the safety for the youth and staff. 

DJJ takes seriously its responsibility to both protect the public and to operate facilities and programs that are constitutionally safe for both youth and staff. DJJ will not tolerate violations of policy and procedures by staff or youth that jeopardize safety.