Former Youth Detention Worker Charged with Misconduct

A former employee at the Phoenix Emerging Adult Career & Education Center in St. Charles, Illinois, faces serious legal charges after allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with an inmate. Bryana E. Phelan, 31, from Chicago, has been charged with 15 felony counts of official misconduct, according to a statement from Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser.

Authorities contend that between November 11 and 15, 2022, Phelan participated in “multiple phone calls of an offensive or sexual nature” with the inmate. The charges also assert that she attempted to engage in sexual acts during a phone call and facilitated, encouraged, and watched the male inmate, who is over the age of 17, masturbate in her presence.

The allegations extend to Phelan’s use of a facility vehicle. She is accused of driving the inmate for personal reasons, which falls outside her professional responsibilities as a Juvenile Justice Specialist. The center, operated by the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, is designated for young adults aged 17 to 20 who have been committed to secure custody by the courts.

According to the news release, Phelan’s actions are believed to have violated multiple department policies that explicitly prohibit employees from socializing or having sexual relations with in-custody youth. Following the investigation, she was formally charged on August 25, 2023.

A court summons has been issued for Phelan to appear on September 18, 2023 to respond to the charges. This case raises significant concerns regarding the conduct of staff within youth detention facilities and the safety of the young individuals in their care.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of this case may prompt further scrutiny of policies governing employee interactions with inmates, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to regulations designed to protect vulnerable populations.