Incident at Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center
A Dallas County juvenile detention officer was arrested last month after he was accused of putting a 15-year-old in a headlock, causing the boy to lose consciousness, and stepping on his face.
Stephen Puzio, 35, faces a charge of aggravated assault by a public servant, a first-degree felony, according to the arrest affidavit.
Juvenile Services Director H. Lynn Hadnot confirmed he fired Puzio for an incident Sept. 21.
The arrest was a blow to Hadnot, who said he has implemented reforms on staffing, culture and procedures since joining the department in February. He has been tasked with rebuilding community trust after a state investigation into the previous administration confirmed that detention officials falsified observation sheets and improperly kept children in seclusion for days at a time. The former director, Darryl Beatty, resigned in July 2024 amid the inquiry.
Response to the Incident
Hadnot declined to discuss Puzio’s arrest amid the ongoing investigation but said, “The safety and security and welfare of our kids is of critical importance to me.”
“It’s an unfortunate reality that regardless of your efforts … sometimes people fail and they fail horribly,” Hadnot said. “With that, it’s important we respond appropriately, swiftly and do right by the kids when those isolated issues present themselves.”
Director of Dallas County Juvenile Services H. Lynn Hadnot speaks after officially being appointed to the position during a Dallas County Juvenile Board meeting at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center, Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Dallas.
Elias Valverde II / Staff Photographer
Investigation and Aftermath
Thomas Ashworth, an attorney representing Puzio, said in a statement to The Dallas Morning News that his client is innocent.
“Once all of the facts come out, we’re confident that the evidence will show that Mr. Puzio did not commit a crime,” Ashworth said.
Relatives of the boy, whom The News is not naming due to his age, could not be reached immediately for comment.
During a meeting Tuesday, County Commissioner John Wiley Price said he filed a complaint with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department about the alleged assault. In 2023, after an independent report showed critical problems with how the juvenile department was processing cases, the Commissioners Court removed Price from his role on the Juvenile Board overseeing the department.
“What created the environment that led to this?” Price asked, without naming the arrested officer.
Commissioner Andrew Sommerman, who replaced Price on the board, said he supported a full review.
“I’m all for a thorough and complete up and down, backwards and forwards investigation,” Sommerman said.
Details of the Incident
According to the arrest affidavit, Puzio and the boy were watching TV in a dorm around 6:30 p.m. The video shows the boy touched Puzio on the head before both stood up and the boy ran away, according to the affidavit.
The boy later told detectives “he was playing around with Puzio,” but the officer got upset.
Moments later, Puzio grabbed the boy and placed him in a chokehold for about 12 seconds, the affidavit states. After the boy went unconscious and fell to the ground, the affidavit says, Puzio appeared to step on his head. About 10 seconds later, the youth stood up, holding his head.
In a photo taken before he was transported to Children’s Medical Center, the boy had a swollen eye and a foot mark on his face, and detectives observed chipped teeth, according to the affidavit.
Reforms and Improvements
Employment records show Puzio began as a detention officer in September 2024.
Following the state investigation, Hadnot said the department implemented electronic monitoring systems to replace handwritten observation sheets. While state law allows up to 48 hours of disciplinary seclusion, Hadnot said he allows no youth to be kept in disciplinary seclusion for more than eight hours as “a last resort.”
Last summer, detention staff had “almost a complete turnover” as dozens of employees left voluntarily or involuntarily, former interim director Michael Griffiths previously confirmed.
Through his renewed effort on recruitment, Hadnot said about 80 percent of positions are now filled. In July, he implemented a four days on, three days off schedule to help with morale, prevent burnout and improve recruitment.
In June, Hadnot said there were 80 instances when staff called in to miss work, and in August, after the change, there were eight.
“I believe this is literally what I was put on the planet for,” Hadnot said. “I have a great sense of personal accountability to make sure I’m doing all that I can to make sure kids are safe, protected and well served.”
Conclusion
The incident at the Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center highlights the need for continued reforms and improvements in the juvenile justice system. The safety and well-being of the children in custody must be the top priority, and any instances of abuse or neglect must be thoroughly investigated and addressed.
FAQs
Q: What happened to the 15-year-old boy at the Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center?
A: The boy was allegedly put in a headlock by a detention officer, causing him to lose consciousness, and stepped on his face.
Q: What charges is the detention officer facing?
A: The officer, Stephen Puzio, is facing a charge of aggravated assault by a public servant, a first-degree felony.
Q: What reforms has the department implemented since the incident?
A: The department has implemented electronic monitoring systems, limited disciplinary seclusion to eight hours, and implemented a new schedule to improve morale and recruitment.
