Autopsy on death of Alegend Jones released

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Youth Villages claims an autopsy report shows there was “no abuse or assault by staff” following the death of Alegend Jones.

The 17-year-old, who was in the care of the treatment facility for children with behavioral problems, died in November 2023.

Her family claims she was mistreated by staff during an altercation, which led to her death.

WREG obtained the autopsy certificate from the State of Tennessee this afternoon, which officially lists the cause of death as “complications from restraint” with asthma as a contributing factor. However, the manner of death was ultimately listed as “undetermined.”

Jones’ family and civil rights attorney Ben Crump say she got into an argument with counselors at Youth Villages when she was afraid of a gynecological exam, and that argument ultimately led to her death.

The family had previously stated that she had been thrown to the ground and that the autopsy they conducted themselves had shown that she had died of a brain hemorrhage.

“It is inhumane what happened to this child. This 17-year-old child,” said attorney Ben Crump.

Youth Villages has stressed that there has been no abuse or inappropriate interactions.

After reviewing video surveillance of the incident, the auditor made the following statement in the report:

“The cause of death is suspected to be positional asphyxia due to restraint, with asthma acting as a contributing factor. Positional asphyxia occurs when a body is placed in a position where breathing is compromised. However, since we do not know her exact position during restraint, this cannot be stated with certainty. Therefore, based on all currently known investigative information, the autopsy examination, the toxicology analysis and the circumstances accompanying and leading to the death, the cause of death is attributed to complications of restraint, with asthma acting as a contributing factor, and the manner of death is undetermined.”

However, Youth Villages acknowledged that Alegend was placed in what the facility calls a “therapeutic hold.”

Youth Villages says: “Therapeutic holds are only used when necessary to help young people calm down and regulate their behavior. Alegend was placed in a hold for her own safety and the safety of our staff and only after repeated outbursts of violence. Our team followed their training and all safety protocols and procedures. Medical staff were present. The witness statements and video support this.”

WREG reached out to Attorney Crump for comment following the release of the autopsy results, but we have not yet received a response.

In this case too, family members demanded that criminal charges be filed.

A spokesman for the Public Prosecutor’s Office said: “This incident is currently under investigation and once the autopsy is completed, the next steps can be taken. It would not be appropriate to make any further comment at this time.”