Chehalis, WA — A juvenile at Green Hill School, a detention center for young offenders, faces multiple charges after allegedly assaulting a staff member and causing significant injuries on June 13. The 17-year-old, Dezmen Michael Belgarde, has been charged as an adult in Lewis County Superior Court with first-degree attempted robbery, second-degree assault, intimidating a public servant, and several counts of custodial assault, including an additional charge added later.
According to police reports, the incidents began when Belgarde allegedly assaulted a female staff member, stole her keys, and then physically attacked her. His violent outbreak didn’t stop there; it extended to another staff member and a fellow inmate who attempted to intervene. Later the same day, during a relocation within the facility, Belgarde reportedly threw a bottle filled with urine at staff members.
The aggressive actions took place at a facility grappling with major operational challenges, including overcrowding and escalating safety concerns. Following the disturbing incidents, police were notified the next morning at approximately 10:45 a.m., leading to a swift response from local law enforcement.
On July 10, Belgarde was formally charged and faced a preliminary hearing on July 16, wherein all parties concluded that he should remain in custody at Green Hill School given his upcoming years of confinement still pending.
The situation at Green Hill has prompted the Washington state Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to make significant adjustments across the state’s juvenile detention facilities. This month alone saw the transfer of 43 adult offenders from Green Hill to other locations and halted new admissions to both Green Hill and Echo Glen Children’s Center amid safety and overpopulation concerns.
Currently, Green Hill houses approximately 200 residents, surpassing the 180 capacity considered best for the facility. “This is one of the measures we are hopeful will address the immediate challenges,” Allison Krutsinger, DCYF’s director of public affairs, commented last week. “However, while we expect some improvement, it’s difficult to predict the full outcome.”
The strain on Green Hill School has been a contributing factor to the rising incidents of crime within its gates, including drug possession and assault among others. Previous enforcement actions involved the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team executing a search warrant in 2023, leading to the seizure of contraband stored in lockers.
Despite calls for a full investigation by State Sen. John Braun following the series of events and the ongoing issues at the facility, the response from higher government has been to highlight ongoing improvements without committing to a full-scale inquiry. Governor Jay Inslee has emphasized the progress being made, even as the community and officials continue to press for more decisive action in ensuring the safety and rehabilitation of detained youths.
With the arraignment scheduled for July 18, the community and authorities await further developments, hoping for resolution and improvements in the management of juvenile offenders at Green Hill School. As the facility grapples with these issues, the broader questions about juvenile justice and detention practices in Washington remain at the forefront of discussions among policymakers and the public.