In a recent incident that has garnered national attention, a 15-year-old girl from Detroit found herself at the center of a controversy after being placed in handcuffs and a jail uniform by a judge during an educational field trip. The incident occurred at the 36th District Court in Detroit, where the teen was participating in a summer program organized by the nonprofit group, The Greening of Detroit.
Field Trip Takes a Disturbing Turn
The teen, identified as Eva Goodman, was part of a group of students visiting the court as part of an educational initiative designed to provide them with insight into the legal system. However, the field trip took a disturbing turn when Judge Kenneth King, presiding over the session, noticed that Goodman had fallen asleep during the proceedings. According to reports, Judge King interpreted Goodman’s behavior as a sign of disrespect and decided to take disciplinary action on the spot.
Without hesitation, Judge King ordered that the teenager be placed in handcuffs and made to wear a jail uniform. The judge’s actions, which he later defended as an attempt to “scare the child straight,” have since drawn widespread criticism and raised questions about the appropriateness of such measures, especially in the context of an educational visit.
Mother Speaks Out Against Judge’s Actions
Goodman’s mother, La Torre Hill, a single mother of two, was outraged upon learning of the incident. Hill explained that her daughter had been struggling with exhaustion due to the family’s current housing situation. The family, which does not have a permanent residence, has been doing their best to make ends meet, and Goodman’s lack of sleep was a direct result of these challenging circumstances. Hill was particularly upset by the judge’s actions, as they seemed to exacerbate her daughter’s already difficult situation.
In an emotional statement, Hill expressed her disbelief and anger at the judge’s decision to publicly humiliate her daughter. She questioned how anyone could expect a teenager in such a precarious living situation to be fully alert during a courtroom session. Hill emphasized that her daughter is a good student who excels academically and has never been in trouble before. The incident has left both mother and daughter traumatized, with Hill removing Goodman from the summer program as a result.
Judge Defends His Actions
Despite the backlash, Judge Kenneth King has stood by his actions, asserting that he had no regrets about the way he handled the situation. In a statement, Judge King explained that his intention was to discipline the child and make her understand the seriousness of her behavior. He likened his actions to a form of “scared straight” intervention, aimed at ensuring that Goodman and other students do not end up in front of him in the future as defendants.
The judge’s comments, however, have done little to quell the outrage felt by Goodman’s family and the wider community. Hill, in particular, has been vocal about the impact the incident has had on her daughter, stating that the judge’s approach was not only ineffective but also deeply damaging. She refuted the notion that her daughter needed to be “scared straight,” pointing out that Goodman has always been a well-behaved and responsible young person.
Community Response and Moving Forward
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the role of the judiciary in disciplining young people and the potential harm that such heavy-handed tactics can cause. Critics have argued that Judge King’s actions were not only inappropriate but also indicative of a larger problem within the justice system, where punitive measures are often used as a first resort, even in situations that do not warrant such responses.
As the story continues to gain national attention, there are growing calls for accountability and a reevaluation of the methods used by judges and other authority figures when dealing with young people. For now, Goodman’s family has made it clear that they do not wish to have any further interaction with Judge King, despite his offer to mentor the teenager.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for empathy and understanding, particularly when dealing with young people who may already be facing significant challenges in their lives. As the Goodman family navigates the aftermath of this traumatic experience, their story has become a powerful example of the importance of treating all individuals, especially minors, with dignity and respect.
