A Farce Known as Youth Rehabilitation

Imagine: a juvenile fugitive seated a few feet behind Schiraldi, in the same building housing the mayor and D.C. Council, listening to praises being sung of the absconder-recovery unit.

Let's return to last week's column ["Love Fest for a Troubled Agency?" Dec 7] about the illicit relationship between a DYRS-committed youth and a department corrections officer. Gaither said I was wrong about where the officer worked.

"The woman who married the youth," Gaither said, "worked at YSC [DYRS's Youth Services Center] not Oak Hill." Bless Gaither's heart.

Here's more.

The juvenile, born Nov. 13, 1988, and the corrections officer, born March 24, 1975, were married Aug. 16 in Alexandria, according to the city clerk's office. (Y'all do the math.) He was committed to the department in October 2006. He absconded from a D.C. group home, and the court issued a custody order on Sept. 24. The order is still outstanding.

What a picture: A youth correctional officer refusing to turn in her fugitive young husband while D.C. taxpayers continue to pay her salary.

I have evidence that key department officials were told about the improper relationship months before the wedding. Any interest, Mayor Fenty? Oversight committee chairman Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6)?

This travesty may end soon.

In response to my query, Superior Court Chief Judge Rufus King (no relation) said in a statement Thursday: "When the Court was notified in August of an inappropriate relationship between a committed youth and a DYRS official, Judge Herbert Dixon, who presides over the Jerry M case regarding conditions at DYRS facilities, contacted Ms. Grace Lopes, Special Arbiter in that case, and informed her of the allegations.

She informed DYRS through its attorneys of the allegations and was assured that the matter was being investigated."

By then, the couple were probably exchanging vows.

King said that he spoke with "Judge Ryan [who issued the custody order] and learned that similar information was sent to his chambers this fall but was not brought to his attention until very recently, for which he takes full responsibility.

"Regarding the outstanding custody order, we have contacted the Chief of Police and asked that she take appropriate action." Good for the court.

But who will investigate other alleged improper relationships, abuses and questionable community placement decisions within the department?

A bamboozled mayor? A sycophantic council? Heaven help us.

kingc@washpost.com