After 17-year-old Robert Wright died in a juvenile detention center last year, it took five months for his family to learn anything about what happened. But the other teens who lived with him felt like they knew right away.
Robert was found dead, alone, in his bed locked in his cell at the Circleville Juvenile Correction Facility in August.
Five months later, an autopsy revealed he died from "amphetamine intoxication with contributing congenital cardiovascular disease."
Further tests showed the amount of amphetamine in his system was small, unlikely to cause an overdose. But the Department of Youth Services investigation into the death showed Robert had been bringing up an ongoing health concern; his family says it was chest pain.
Youth specialists at the facility told investigators Robert had signed up for a "health call" around the beginning of August, but a week and half passed and he was never seen.
Robert had a nurse appointment Aug. 17 and a telemedicine appointment Aug. 21.
On Aug. 30, a youth specialist heard another staff member leaving Robert's room tell the teen: "I'm not sure what's going on, but you need to sign up for (a) health call."
Robert was scheduled to be seen on Aug. 31, but never made it. He was found dead in his room that morning.
'He may still be here if medical would have addressed his concerns'
The eight other youths that lived in Robert's unit were interviewed on Sept. 2, just a few days after his death.
In its report, DYS redacted all mentions of health-related matters citing privacy laws.
The report states seven of the eight youth mentioned that Robert had complained of the same thing. It's also clear that the interviewers asked the youth about Robert's medical concerns.