Youth Villages, family reach resolution in death of 17-year-old

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Youth Villages says it has reached an agreement with the family of Alegend Jones, a teen who died following a medical emergency at Youth Villages in 2023.

Youth Villages claims the teenager suffered a medical emergency while in a “therapeutic hold” at the nonprofit’s Girls’ Center.

Youth Villages maintains there was no evidence that its staff caused any intentional physical injury or abuse in the death of the 17-year-old.

The family retained Ben Crump following the death.

Crump claimed Jones was reportedly beaten and choked to death while in the care of Youth Villages.

The autopsy states that Jones went unresponsive while being physically restrained at Youth Villages. Imaging from the hospital shows she suffered cerebral edema with brain compression and herniation.

The autopsy says the cause of death is attributed to complications of restraint with a contributing factor of asthma.

Crump and Youth Villages released a joint statement on Monday revealing they reached an agreement to “full resolve and disputes between the parties.”

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