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Nashville lawmaker calls for state investigation into illegal jailing of juveniles in Rutherford County

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WPLN News (File)
Rep. Vincent Dixie, left, wants a state investigation into the illegal jailing of juveniles in Rutherford County.
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A Tennessee lawmaker says he wants the state’s attorney general to investigate Rutherford County Judge Donna Scott Davenport.   

The call by state Rep. Vincent Dixie follows an investigation by WPLN News and ProPublica about illegal juvenile detentions. Dixie says he worries there has been a “gross misuse of power” that extends beyond the judge. 

“This problem went unchecked for so long it shows me that there’s a failure in the system somewhere that we have not detected, and we need to fix that,” Dixie said.

Dixie’s request comes a day after 11 members of Congress asked the U.S. Justice Department to investigate and ask Tennessee to collect better data about juvenile cases. 

In June, Rutherford County agreed to pay up to $11 million to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by children. 

Blaise Gainey, Political Reporter

Blaise Gainey is the youngest of three siblings, husband and father of two. He previously held the State Government Reporter position for WFSU News in Tallahassee. He is from Apopka, Fla., and graduated from The School of Journalism at the Florida A&M University. He previously worked for The Florida Channel and WTXL-TV. He is excited to move to another capital and report on state government. In his spare time, he enjoys watching sports, outdoor activities and enjoying family time.

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