A 13-year-old boy is suing a correctional captain at a Kentucky juvenile detention center, alleging the officer violently broke his arm during an unprovoked encounter last October. The incident led to the guard’s termination and felony abuse charges that could result in up to five years in prison.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Paducah, names Correctional Capt. Tyler Grant Lynn as the defendant. The teen, identified only as “M.W.,” claims Lynn used excessive and unnecessary force while escorting him at the McCracken Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Paducah. M.W. had been serving a 30-day sentence for contempt of court tied to school truancy at the time.
According to the suit, M.W., who stood 5-foot-3 and weighed 140 pounds, casually reached toward the window of another youth’s cell and said “Fist bump.” Lynn, who is listed at 5-foot-11 and 350 pounds, allegedly responded by slamming the boy into a wall, then a door and water fountain, before violently bending his arm backward until it snapped.
Security video of the incident reportedly shows M.W. offering no resistance while crying out in pain and pleading with Lynn to stop.
Delayed Medical Care and Long-Term Injury
Despite the severity of the injury, M.W. allegedly received only an over-the-counter painkiller, Ibuprofen, from a facility nurse immediately after the restraint. It wasn’t until three days later, on October 15, 2024, that a physician’s assistant ordered an X-ray confirming a comminuted fracture—his arm had broken in three or more places.
Following his release on October 17, M.W. underwent surgery to insert plates and screws into his arm. He continues to suffer from pain, reduced mobility, and scarring. The lawsuit seeks damages for civil rights violations and reimbursement of medical expenses.
Second Alleged Assault on the Same Day
M.W. wasn’t the only youth allegedly harmed by Lynn that evening. Earlier the same night, Lynn reportedly fractured another teenager’s arm during a separate restraint incident.
In that case, Lynn allegedly provoked a verbal confrontation with a boy who was yelling from his cell, then mocked him by singing “It’s a hard knock life, poor me!” before forcibly restraining him. Investigators say a popping sound—later identified as a spiral fracture of the left humerus—was heard during the hold. The boy reportedly cried out and begged Lynn to let go.
Though video captured the boy’s visible pain, staff, including Lynn’s wife who also worked at the facility, later claimed he made no complaints. A nurse reportedly failed to complete a mandatory post-restraint examination, falsely claiming the boy had full range of motion.
Guard Fired, Criminal Case Pending
Lynn was fired two months later. In a December 12 termination letter obtained through the Kentucky Open Records Act, Juvenile Justice Commissioner Randy White cited Lynn’s failure to meet the standards expected of supervisory staff.
“Your conduct does not meet the expectations of not only the McCracken Regional Juvenile Detention Center but the department as well,” White wrote.
The Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice, which oversees the facility, has long faced scrutiny over abuse and neglect reports. The U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation into the state’s juvenile detention centers in 2023, though its current status is unclear.
Local prosecutors brought felony abuse charges against Lynn in early 2025. A pretrial hearing in his criminal case is scheduled for August.
How Police Brutality Center Can Help Victims Seek Justice
As M.W.’s lawsuit moves forward and Lynn’s criminal case proceeds, advocates are renewing calls for greater accountability, improved training, and independent oversight in juvenile detention centers across the country.
If you or someone you know has been impacted by police misconduct or excessive force, you may be entitled to legal compensation. The Police Brutality Center connects victims with experienced civil rights attorneys, including partners at Meirowitz & Wasserberg, who specialize in cases involving police abuse and civil rights violations.
Contact Police Brutality Center today for a confidential consultation and learn how we can help you seek justice.