MIAMI – The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice is launching an investigation into the Miami-Dade Regional Juvenile Detention Center after a teenager who was in custody there died Monday night at Holtz Children's Hospital.
DJJ spokeswoman Heather DiGiacomo said Elord Revolte, 17, was involved in an altercation with a number of other children late Sunday afternoon.
DiGiacomo said the boy was assessed by medical personnel at the center and then taken to the hospital the next afternoon.
The investigation will be conducted by the Miami-Dade Police Department, which will determine whether proper procedures were being followed at the center, DiGiacomo said.
Miami-Dade police confirmed that 15 to 20 juvenile inmates were involved in the altercation with Revolte. Police said Revolte was being held at the detention center after he was arrested by Miami Beach police.
"It's absolutely heartbreaking to learn of the death of this young man," secretary Christina Daly said. "In addition to the investigation being conducted by Miami-Dade police, the department has initiated our own investigation to ensure that our very high standards of accountability and transparency are met and all proper procedures were followed. At the conclusion of this investigation, we will inform the public of the findings and take all appropriate action to ensure that we prevent any tragedy like this from ever occurring again. If policies or procedures were not followed, we will hold the appropriate individuals accountable."
The DJJ has sent mental health counselors to assist staff and children at the center in dealing with the tragedy.
It's unclear if any arrests have been made.
The cause of death has yet to be determined by the medical examiner's office.
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