Georgia detention officer fired, charged with murder after he allowed a ‘fight game’ where one died
A Georgia juvenile corrections officer has been fired and charged with murder of after allowing a group of children to play a ‘fight game.’
Thomas Lee Hicks, 30, was an officer at Waycross Regional Youth Detention Center in Waycross, Georgia, when a young boy under his supervision lost consciousness and later died. The child has not been identified.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the boy became ‘unresponsive in the presence of several other youths and a detention officer,’ according to a report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Following Hick’s arrest, the agency said the deceased boy’s injuries were because of a fighting game that Hicks did not stop, and the boy later died at Memorial Health Hospital in Savannah, Georgia.
Hicks is charged with one count of second-degree murder, two counts of cruelty to children and one count of violation of oath of office.
Thomas Lee Hicks (pictured), 30, was a juvenile corrections officer at Waycross Regional Youth Detention Center when one boy lost consciousness under his supervision
Hicks first started at Waycross Regional (pictured) in 2014 and later resigned in 2018. He returned for a second stint in 2021
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation released its preliminary report into the investigation of Hicks on August 16
The age of the deceased youth has not been disclosed, but the facility houses juveniles under the age of 15 or those who have been sentenced to nonviolent crimes in Ware County.
Pending the conclusion of GBI’s investigation, a case file will be sent to the Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for review. Because of this, a future court date has not been established.
‘The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice is deeply saddened by the passing of one of our youths,’ department commissioner Tyrone Oliver said in a statement.
‘The actions of Mr. Hicks are deplorable and do not represent the core values of this agency.’
Oliver added that he first learned of the GBI’s investigation the afternoon Hicks was arrested. The boy died on August 9.
The former correctional officer is being held at Ware County Jail without bond.
The boy, who remains unidentified following GBI’s investigation, died from his injuries after being transported to Savannah, Georgia’s Memorial Health Hospital (pictured)
Records from the state’s Peace Officer Standards and Training council show that the only law enforcement position Hicks held was his job as a correctional officer at Waycross Regional.
He first started at the facility in 2014 before resigning in 2018. Hicks then returned in 2021.
‘DJJ takes the responsibility of operating safe facilities for youth and staff seriously,’ Oliver said.
‘Should there be any evidence of staff or youth misconduct or criminal activity, we will take all appropriate measures.’
