15-year-old juvenile named Austin Wallace who was sent from Knox County juvenile detention to Hamilton County for treatment died July 1 after hanging himself while in custody. This photograph was provided by his mother Heather Stein. The Hamilton County Commission on Wednesday voted to pay a combined $275,000 to settle two lawsuits.
The county agreed to pay $200,000 to the family and friends of Austin Dakota Wallace, a juvenile who reportedly died by hanging in his cell at the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center in 2010.
In another action, the commission agreed to pay $75,000 to Nicholas Agostinacchio, who reportedly fell while walking at The Passage attraction in 2007.
County Attorney Rheubin Taylor said Wednesday the property was jointly owned by the county and the city of Chattanooga, and the county was splitting the cost of the total settlement.
The City Council unanimously voted April 7 to pay its $75,000 share. But the County Commission had one “no” vote.
Commissioner Warren Mackey said he felt the county should have just entered litigation with the Agostinacchio case.
“Just because somebody stumbles and falls on your property, that doesn’t mean it’s your fault,” Mackey said.