VERNAL — Uintah County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a teenager left in a hold cell for several hours at a Vernal courthouse Aug. 1.
The 16-year-old juvenile was taken into custody by order of the 8th District Juvenile Court, according to a release from the sheriff’s department. The teen was placed in a holding cell at the courthouse waiting to be taken to the Split Mountain Youth Detention Center for incarceration.
The teen was discovered by a maintenance employee who heard the Juvenile yelling at approximately 9:30 p.m., the release stated. The teen spent about five hours in the cell.
The cell was equipped with restroom and had running water. The juvenile was uninjured, the release stated.
“This incident is unacceptable!” stated Jeff Merrell, Uintah County Sheriff.
The teen was transported to the detention facility.
An investigation into the incident is currently underway. More information will be released once the investigation is completed.
