Campbell County, Tennessee

Four Tennessee Democratic lawmakers — Sens. Heidi Campbell and Charlane Oliver, and Reps. Aftyn Behn and Gloria Johnson — have sent a letter to Department of Children's Services Commissioner Margie Quin demanding answers after a ProPublica/WPLN investigation alleged that Wayne Halfway House, which runs three of the state's highest-security youth facilities, repeatedly failed to report abuse and other serious incidents as required. The letter cites a 2024 case in which a youth was allegedly "violently dragged" and confined without the incident being reported, and claims internal policies pressured staff to withhold information from the state.

Lawmakers tie the allegations to broader concerns about DCS oversight, noting the agency's residential placement budget has nearly doubled since 2021 to $733 million even as the number of children in state custody has fallen, alongside plans for over $400 million in new facilities. They want accountability before further spending. Wayne Halfway House denies the allegations, saying they stem from disgruntled former employees and that state audits show it meets performance standards. DCS was asked to respond by September 25.