Teen Inmate Charged with Felony Murder in Connection to Death of Lincoln Hills Youth Counselor

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
27/06/2024 22h59

In a tragic turn of events, a second teen inmate has been charged in connection to the death of a staff member at Lincoln Hills School in Wisconsin. The 17-year-old inmate, Rian Nyblom, was arrested by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office on Thursday and has been charged with Felony Murder and two counts of Battery by Prisoners as Party to a Crime.

The incident took place on Monday night, when another inmate, 16-year-old Javarius Hurd, assaulted a staff member at the school's residence hall and later attacked the staff member identified as Corey P. Proulx, a dedicated youth counselor for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. Proulx suffered severe injuries during the altercation, and despite receiving medical treatment, he was declared brain-dead on Tuesday night. His family made the difficult decision to proceed with organ donation, according to Lincoln County Coroner Valerie Caylor.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, Wisconsin State Patrol, and Lincoln County District Attorney's Office, is currently conducting a joint investigation into the incident.

Governor Tony Evers has announced that flags will be flown at half-staff in honor of Corey Proulx until sunset on Thursday, as a tribute to his service and sacrifice. Proulx, 49, had recently returned to serve as a youth counselor at Lincoln Hills School, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to guiding young individuals towards rehabilitation.

The 16-year-old inmate, Javarius Hurd, has been charged as an adult and is facing multiple charges, including second-degree reckless homicide, felony murder, and two counts of battery by prisoners. His bond has been set at $100,000 cash.

Lincoln Hills-Copper Lake, Wisconsin's only youth prison, has been under scrutiny due to allegations of staff-on-inmate abuse, including excessive use of pepper spray, restraints, and strip searches. A court-appointed monitor is currently overseeing the facility to ensure the safety and well-being of both staff and inmates.

The Department of Corrections has expressed deep sadness and regret over the loss of Corey Proulx, acknowledging his sacrifice in serving as a dedicated professional, colleague, and friend. Secretary Jared Hoy, along with other DOC officials, is providing support to the grieving staff members, and Peer Supporters from across the agency have been deployed to assist in processing this tragic event.

As the investigation continues, the focus remains on seeking justice for the untimely death of Corey Proulx and addressing the ongoing issues surrounding Lincoln Hills School to prevent any further incidents of this nature.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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