By Jennifer Jenson, Denton County Juvenile Probation Department
Working in the juvenile justice field, most cases are the same yet all cases are different. A juvenile may not have good role models as parents, the family living situation has changed or is chaotic, one or neither parent is present, the juvenile has limited intellectual ability, or the juvenile has succumbed to alcohol and drugs or possibly gang activity. Generally, a juvenile will fall into one or all of these scenarios.
For Jasmin Williams (not her real name), most of these situations applied to her juvenile case. At a very early age, Jasmin was removed from her mother and father and she was adopted by her mother’s father. The mother and father had an extensive history of drug use and criminal activity. The grandfather provided for both Jasmin and her older brother. Some extended family on Jasmin’s mother’s side provided support as well. The grandfather, brother, and Jasmin found their way to Denton, Texas from Wisconsin.
Starting in the system at age of fourteen, Jasmin was referred to juvenile authorities for the offense of Runaway. Runaway is not really an offense, but often poses many challenges and intervention strategies. During the course of probation, Jasmin had other runaways but given the limited available actions, Jasmin was always released back to her grandfather, who was her primary caretaker.
At age fifteen, Jasmin used her grandfather’s credit card without this time, the offense was a felony, which greatly increased the possible actions. The juvenile probation department made the decision to recommend that Jasmin be placed at a long term residential facility given her history and unstable home life with her grandfather. Jasmin did very well at residential placement and was able to successfully complete the curriculum within the six to nine month expected length of stay. Jasmin returned to her grandfather’s home and attended extensive aftercare services offered through the juvenile probation department. Jasmin attended school and her grade point average was above 3.0, demonstrating great potential. As aftercare services diminished in intensity, Jasmin started missing school. The grandfather also began to report that Jasmin would not come home when expected and sometimes not at all. Her brother was in jail for theft and drug charges.
Unfortunately, before the juvenile probation department could intervene, Jasmin disappeared from her home altogether. Jasmin was not located until forty-five days later in New Orleans, Louisiana and transported back to Denton, Texas. Jasmin had been involved in human trafficking in both Texas and Louisiana. Police Departments, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security were involved.
With Jasmin safely back under the custody of the juvenile probation department, the recommendation was to look at other possible residential placement options. One such option was the Boys Town Family Living Program in Nebraska. Boys Town interviewed Jasmin, and Jasmin accepted their offer for residential placement. Jasmin’s length of stay was expected to be twelve months.
Upon arrival, Jasmin struggled greatly in her new surroundings. Away from family, not so good friends, school buddies, and even the juvenile probation department, Jasmin felt alone and disoriented. She lived with Mr. and Mrs. Russell, who acted as her “Parent-Teachers” along with five other girls from around the United States. Jasmin was expected to complete personal and household chores, help prepare meals for the family, complete daily homework and school projects, and eat meals with the Parent-Teachers and her peers every night at the dinner table. All this does not sound very difficult. However, Jasmin was not accustomed whatsoever to cooperation, routine, and more importantly, family interaction. Jasmin often thought about running away from Boys Town but the Parent-Teachers were able to convince her to give the Boys Town program a chance to work for her.
In time, Jasmin was attending school daily without resistance, went out for the swim team (which she made), the track team (which she made) and cheerleading (which she did not). Her grades were near perfect, hovering closely to a 4.0 and not falling below a 3.5. She had collected many positive friends, both female and male. She also obtained a part time job off campus and was saving (most of) her paychecks. Jasmin had finally settled into the Boys Town way of life and flourished.
As if this story could not get any better, Jasmin was asked to the Senior Prom dance. Her date had to obtain permission from her Parent-Teachers before she could go and of course, they agreed. Jasmin dressed up “to the nines” and looked absolutely beautiful. That and with her newfound shining smile and outgoing personality, she was named 2017 Prom Queen!
Jasmin graduated and obtained her High School Diploma May 21, 2017 from Boys Town High School. She took pre-college tests, made applications, and will be attending Morningside College in Iowa Fall of 2017. Jasmin’s grandfather has been supportive of her all through the placement at Boys Town. He called her often and visited in person to check on her. Sadly, her grandfather was not able to provide Jasmin with the support, environment, motivation, supervision, and enrichment that are necessary for her success in life, success she has found at Boys Town. This story is not a fairy tale, but rather a true account of one successful juvenile involved in the juvenile justice system at the right time, the right place, and with the right people.
Working in the juvenile justice field, most cases are the same yet all cases are different. A juvenile may not have good role models as parents, the family living situation has changed or is chaotic, one or neither parent is present, the juvenile has limited intellectual ability, or the juvenile has succumbed to alcohol and drugs or possibly gang activity. Generally, a juvenile will fall into one or all of these scenarios.
For Jasmin Williams (not her real name), most of these situations applied to her juvenile case. At a very early age, Jasmin was removed from her mother and father and she was adopted by her mother’s father. The mother and father had an extensive history of drug use and criminal activity. The grandfather provided for both Jasmin and her older brother. Some extended family on Jasmin’s mother’s side provided support as well. The grandfather, brother, and Jasmin found their way to Denton, Texas from Wisconsin.
Starting in the system at age of fourteen, Jasmin was referred to juvenile authorities for the offense of Runaway. Runaway is not really an offense, but often poses many challenges and intervention strategies. During the course of probation, Jasmin had other runaways but given the limited available actions, Jasmin was always released back to her grandfather, who was her primary caretaker.
At age fifteen, Jasmin used her grandfather’s credit card without this time, the offense was a felony, which greatly increased the possible actions. The juvenile probation department made the decision to recommend that Jasmin be placed at a long term residential facility given her history and unstable home life with her grandfather. Jasmin did very well at residential placement and was able to successfully complete the curriculum within the six to nine month expected length of stay. Jasmin returned to her grandfather’s home and attended extensive aftercare services offered through the juvenile probation department. Jasmin attended school and her grade point average was above 3.0, demonstrating great potential. As aftercare services diminished in intensity, Jasmin started missing school. The grandfather also began to report that Jasmin would not come home when expected and sometimes not at all. Her brother was in jail for theft and drug charges.
Unfortunately, before the juvenile probation department could intervene, Jasmin disappeared from her home altogether. Jasmin was not located until forty-five days later in New Orleans, Louisiana and transported back to Denton, Texas. Jasmin had been involved in human trafficking in both Texas and Louisiana. Police Departments, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security were involved.
With Jasmin safely back under the custody of the juvenile probation department, the recommendation was to look at other possible residential placement options. One such option was the Boys Town Family Living Program in Nebraska. Boys Town interviewed Jasmin, and Jasmin accepted their offer for residential placement. Jasmin’s length of stay was expected to be twelve months.
Upon arrival, Jasmin struggled greatly in her new surroundings. Away from family, not so good friends, school buddies, and even the juvenile probation department, Jasmin felt alone and disoriented. She lived with Mr. and Mrs. Russell, who acted as her “Parent-Teachers” along with five other girls from around the United States. Jasmin was expected to complete personal and household chores, help prepare meals for the family, complete daily homework and school projects, and eat meals with the Parent-Teachers and her peers every night at the dinner table. All this does not sound very difficult. However, Jasmin was not accustomed whatsoever to cooperation, routine, and more importantly, family interaction. Jasmin often thought about running away from Boys Town but the Parent-Teachers were able to convince her to give the Boys Town program a chance to work for her.
In time, Jasmin was attending school daily without resistance, went out for the swim team (which she made), the track team (which she made) and cheerleading (which she did not). Her grades were near perfect, hovering closely to a 4.0 and not falling below a 3.5. She had collected many positive friends, both female and male. She also obtained a part time job off campus and was saving (most of) her paychecks. Jasmin had finally settled into the Boys Town way of life and flourished.
As if this story could not get any better, Jasmin was asked to the Senior Prom dance. Her date had to obtain permission from her Parent-Teachers before she could go and of course, they agreed. Jasmin dressed up “to the nines” and looked absolutely beautiful. That and with her newfound shining smile and outgoing personality, she was named 2017 Prom Queen!
Jasmin graduated and obtained her High School Diploma May 21, 2017 from Boys Town High School. She took pre-college tests, made applications, and will be attending Morningside College in Iowa Fall of 2017. Jasmin’s grandfather has been supportive of her all through the placement at Boys Town. He called her often and visited in person to check on her. Sadly, her grandfather was not able to provide Jasmin with the support, environment, motivation, supervision, and enrichment that are necessary for her success in life, success she has found at Boys Town. This story is not a fairy tale, but rather a true account of one successful juvenile involved in the juvenile justice system at the right time, the right place, and with the right people.