Former Jackson County inmate alleges sexual abuse at detention center: Court documents

A Kansas City woman is suing a behavioral health center that temporarily housed a municipal jail in 2019, claiming an employee sexually assaulted her while she was in solitary confinement.

The woman, identified in court documents as JWK, was incarcerated at the Heartland Center for Behavioral Change, 1514 Campbell St., when it served as a city jail in the second half of 2019.

The Jackson County Detention Center’s agreement with Kansas City to house the inmates was challenged in municipal court ended on June 25, 2019. Meanwhile, the city 110 beds rented – 85 for municipal prisoners and 25 for people detained by Kansas City police – from Heartland.

Heartland was used as a prison from June 27 to December 31, 2019. lost the following liability and employee insurance policies one death, two escapes and numerous safety issues.

JWK entered Heartland on November 1, 2019. She claims she was sexually assaulted by a Heartland employee on November 4.

According to court documents, JWK was in solitary confinement at the time of the alleged attack. The lawsuit alleges that Heartland did not install security cameras overlooking the solitary confinement cell or its entrance.

The Heartland Center for Behavioral Change was not available Tuesday to comment on the ongoing lawsuit.

JWK’s lawsuit names Heartland and its CEO and president, Kyle Mead. as defendants.

A case management conference on the lawsuit is scheduled for February 18, 2025.

This article draws on previous reporting by Allison Kite and Steve Vockrodt.