HUNT COUNTY, Texas — Six former employees of the now-closed Thompson Residential Treatment Center in Greenville have been indicted in connection to the death of an 11-year-old boy in November of last year.
The child, identified publicly only as Owen, died while attending a supervised movie outing with 19 other residents and seven facility staff members. He was found unresponsive in his seat at the end of the film.
An autopsy later determined the cause of death to be natural complications tied to an intestinal condition from a corrective surgery performed in infancy. However, investigators raised concerns after reviewing surveillance footage and staff statements.
According to court filings, Owen appeared visibly ill, unsteady, and at times unable to walk without collapsing. Rather than receiving proper medical assistance, investigators say footage showed staff dragging him into the theater by the arm.
After the film, he was located with signs of medical distress, including a nosebleed. A medical expert familiar with the case stated the child’s condition — specifically bowel blockage — could have been treatable with timely medical intervention.
Six Individuals Indicted
A Hunt County grand jury returned felony indictments for Injury to a Child against:
- Jaylan Treviante Dakeiston Davis
- James Durrell Cobb
- Jeremy Evans Alexander
- John Raymond Long
- Mark Andrews
- Clay Malcolm Jiles
All individuals have entered not-guilty pleas and are awaiting trial. Prosecutors confirmed a seventh person may also face charges.
The facility permanently closed in December following scrutiny and years of reported compliance concerns and staff misconduct allegations dating back more than a decade.
The Hunt County District Attorney’s Office credited a multi-agency effort between law enforcement and child protective authorities for the indictments. Due to the active legal proceedings, officials declined additional comment.
This case has reignited concerns about oversight in residential treatment programs serving vulnerable children statewide.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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