Lawsuit: Ky. correctional captain allegedly breaks teen’s arm after attempted ‘fist bump’

PADUCAH, Ky. (FOX 56) — A 13-year-old boy left the McCracken Regional Juvenile Detention Center with a broken arm. Now his father is suing the correctional captain who’s allegedly responsible.

According to the Aug. 4 lawsuit, the boy identified in the lawsuit as M.W. was sentenced in September 2024 to 30 days of detention for truancy while he was under his mother’s care.

In October 2024, M.W. was escorted from his shared cell by Captain Tyler Lynn. Court documents state that as M.W. passed another room, he placed his fist to the window and said, “Fist bump.” That’s when video shows that Lynn reportedly grabbed M.W. and pressed him against the wall, into a wall-mounted phone, and then against a water fountain while bending his arm toward his head.

He pleaded for Lynn to stop, his father’s counsel, Ashley Abary, wrote. But Lynn allegedly persisted until his arm visibly gave way, producing a “loud snapping sound.” It was bent “completely backward over his head.”

According to the lawsuit, injuries went untreated for three days when a doctor ordered an X-ray that depicted M.W.’s fractured arm.

His father said that he wasn’t notified that his son was injured until he’d been transferred back to the detention center. Two days later, M.W. had completed his sentence and was subsequently released. Later that month, court documents state that M.W. had to undergo surgery due to the injuries sustained at the McCracken Regional Juvenile Detention Center.

Lynn’s employment was later terminated, per court documents.

“Lynn’s conduct was intentional, wanton, malicious, willful, oppressive, reckless, and grossly negligent and was motivated by evil motive or intent,” the lawsuit reads.

He’s now being sued for excessive force and negligence, as well as assault and battery. According to court documents, the boy’s family requests a trial by jury and compensatory and punitive damages.

The Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation into Kentucky’s juvenile justice centers in 2024.