Teen shooter’s parents say son is mistreated

The parents of a teen who shot and wounded two people at a Roswell middle school in 2014 have filed a suit against the state’s Children, Youth and Families Department that says they violated the boy’s civil rights.

Jennifer and Jim Campbell, who live in Lincoln County, filed suit on Tuesday saying their son, Mason Campbell, who is now 17, has been fully rehabilitated during his four-year stay in juvenile prison, which is overseen by CYFD.

But, the lawsuit says, CYFD won’t release him, all the while giving him substandard food, medical care, communication avenues, bedding and psychological treatment.

CYFD Secretary Monique Jacobson said Thursday that while she could not comment on the lawsuit, the release process for juvenile inmates is not affected by politics.

“We take seriously our responsibility to the communities in regard to public safety, and we take seriously, which is a part of that, our commitment to the young people who are with us, to focus on rehabilitating them,” Jacobson said. “That is the focus on how decisions are made.”

She said a supervised release panel, similar to a parole board, meets with a team of people connected with each inmate coming before the board to decide if they are suitable for early release or determine what needs their release will create for them, such as housing or services.

She said confidentiality laws prevent her from commenting on individuals’ appearances before the release panel.

Mason pleaded no contest to three counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and carrying a firearm into a school during a May 2014 incident in which he fired a modified shotgun into a crowd of students, hitting two. He cited bullying as a trigger for the act.

He was sentenced to juvenile prison until age 21 or earlier if CYFD determines he has successfully completed all required therapies and counseling, and has been rehabilitated.

The Campbells say he has successfully completed therapy and refer to an official CYFD psychologist’s report that says the teen doesn’t pose a threat to society.

“CYFD refuses to release Mason Campbell, not for failure to be rehabilitated, but for political reasons as this case was a high profile case ... and received national attention. ...” attorney Gary Mitchell writes in the lawsuit, filed in 1st Judicial District Court in Santa Fe.

Mitchell claims in the suit that CYFD deliberately set up roadblocks to the teen’s rehabilitation.

While the child never had gang ties or any experience with drugs or alochol, he has been put through a treatment program for gang members and people with addictions, the suit says.

The suit also says he has been given limited family therapy and limited opportunities to meet with, call or receive calls from his parents, despite directions from the sentencing court that access to his family would enable his rehabilitation.

The lawsuit also alleges that while in CYFD’s care at the Youth Diagnostic Center in Albuquerque, Mason has developed scoliosis and been fed an inadequate diet.

His parents’ offer to purchase a more suitable mattress was denied, the suit says.

The Campbells seek money for compensation and as punishment for CYFD, along with compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering.