County Employees Recognized By Juvenile Justice Commission

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Correctional Deputy Probation Officer Naomi Eddy was one of the recipients of the Juvenile Justice Awards.Last January, the Probation Department, the Juvenile Court and the County Department of Education were turned upside down to deal with a tragic and complex situation: a 10-year-old juvenile detainee, who had fatally stabbed a playmate, said Kathleen Edwards, a Juvenile Justice commissioner. The boy’s age alone would have been complex but he also was diagnosed with several emotional and behavioral disorders and he stayed in custody for 15 months, she said.

Juvenile Hall Director Craig Stover went above and beyond to create a safe place for the boy while the court system determined if the boy was competent to stand trial. The first thing Stover did was to provide educational seminars for the staff that would be working with the child on the disorders that the boy was being treated for, and he personally escorted the child to court, Edwards said. He also made sure he was able to visit his adoptive mother and family when they came to visit him.

“He became like a grandfather figure,” said Edwards.

Correctional Deputy Probation Officer Naomi Eddy, assigned to Juvenile Hall, stepped in as his mom-away-from-home while he was there, she said. She read him stories, praised his artwork and comforted him when the older children gave him a hard time, Edwards said.

“It’s no exaggeration to say, she loved him and he loves her,” Edwards said. So much so that when it was time for him to go, it was hard for him to leave, she added.

“I know their compassion made a difference to him,” said Edwards.

Stover and Eddy both were honored with a 2013 Juvenile Justice Commission award for their extraordinary efforts. They were among the dozens of law enforcement, courts employees and youth programs employees who   were given awards at a luncheon Thursday at the University of San Diego Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice. Many of those who received awards were County employees who work with troubled youths.

The boy, who turned 11 while at the Kearny Mesa Juvenile Hall, was ultimately found not competent to stand trial, was released from Juvenile Hall, and placed in a residential treatment facility until his mental competency can be resolved.

“We’re all happy to hear he’s doing well at his new placement,” said Eddy. She said the child’s attorney sent her a photo of the boy playing at the facility to show her he was adjusting well and was happy.
Stover did not attend the luncheon because he was on vacation, but Supervising Probation Officer Judy Goldberg said his efforts “set a precedent for how to deal with young cases. He really educated everyone involved.”

Also honored were:

  • Kim Ranson, Protective Services Supervisor, was given a Child Welfare Services award for her work with drug court clients. She collects toys every year at Christmas for drug court clients to give to their children.
  • Jason Rouse, San Diego County Sheriff’s Detective assigned to the San Marcos station, was presented with a Law Enforcement award for his work presenting the START SMART teen driving program at North County high schools
  • Michele Linley, San Diego County District Attorney’s Juvenile Branch Chief, received the Juvenile Court award for  making sure  the best interests of minors are served while also serving the safety of the community
  • Pam Medhurst, a volunteer with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue team, won the Volunteer award for creating a “Don’t Run Away, Stay Found” educational program for children featuring Simon, the beagle puppet (Watch video of a lesson)
  • Cyndi Jo Means, Deputy District Attorney in the Juvenile Branch and the San Diego County Truancy Court Collaboration which includes Christina Nyikes, Probation Director, and deputy probation officers Elizabeth Oyler, Elizabeth Santillan, and Lisa Aguilera of the truancy supervision unit for their work to help youth overcome habitual truancy.
  • Carol Isackson, Superior Court Judge, won a Judges award for educating new judges about the issues they will encounter in family court
  • Richard Cline, Superior Court Judge, received the Community Involvement award for participating in a youth day at the courthouse

Probation Department workers were recognized as part of the collaborative truancy court.From L to R: Probation Director Christina Nyikes and deputy probation officers Elizabeth Oyler, Elizabeth Santillan, and Lisa Aguilera. Sheriff's Search and Rescue volunteer Pam Medhurst (center) won the volunteer award. Sheriff's Search and Rescue volunteer and Pam's husband Rich Medhurst and Capt. Sherri Sarro nominated Medhurst for the award. District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis (center) congratulates deputy district attorneys Cyndi Jo Means (L) and Michele Liinley for their work with troubled youth.Sheriff's Deputy Jason Rouse (holding the award) received an award for his work with teen driver education. From L to R: Capt. Duncan Fraser, Deputy Randy Avila, Capt. Scott Ybarrondo, Lt. James Bolwerk, and Sgt. Daniel Deese.