Capitol Annex’s Press Room

[Press Release from State Reps. Jim Dunnam (D-Waco) and Tommy Meritt (R-Longview)]
State Representatives Jim Dunnam (D-Waco) and Tommy Merritt (R-Longview) released the following joint statement today regarding the dispatch of peace officers to Texas Youth Commission (TYC) facilities.

Rep. Dunnam stated:
“Finally, after five days, the governor has responded to our demand that law enforcement officers be dispatched to every single TYC facility in the state. It is our hope that the
presence of law enforcement protects vulnerable victims and encourages whistle-blower employees to come forward and talk about what they know.
“However, I have a great concern that this action is only happening today. The governor’s office has been aware of reports of sexual abuse at TYC facilities for at least 4 months, and maybe as long as 2 years. It is disturbing to think how many victims may have been abused or critical evidence destroyed as a result of his delays.”
Rep. Merritt continued:
“Texas must immediately unravel this crime and prosecute the law breakers. I have real concerns about the independence of Mr. Kimbrough. His statement that guilty TYC employees need to ‘move on’ is wrong. Any TYC employees that have abused Texas kids need to be prosecuted. Any employees that have knowledge of abuse need to come forward, cooperate with law enforcement and see that justice is served.”
Last week, Reps. Dunnam and Merritt filed House Bill 2340. HB 2340 would, among other things, immediately place TYC into an independent conservatorship, require the conservator to station a Texas Ranger at every TYC facility, and create a specific toll-free number to report information of improper behavior within TYC.