An Avon teen who jumped from the third floor of the Hendricks County Courthouse Wednesday has died.
Luke Whitson, 16, died at Methodist Hospital Thursday, according to the Marion County Coroner’s Office, which didn’t
yet have the preliminary report about the cause of death.
Whitson was being escorted to an initial hearing by two employees of the Sugar Creek Juvenile Justice Center and was in handcuffs
and leg shackles. When the elevator door opened, Whitson ran about 20 feet and was over the railing before anyone could reach
him, according to Clark Fine, Hendricks County Sheriff’s detective captain.
Whitson was arrested Tuesday by Avon Police, who were called after the teen reportedly beat his father who was trying to
discipline him for drinking alcohol, police said. Fine said Whitson had been in trouble with the law before.
Sugar Creek Juvenile Justice Center, in Ladoga, opened in May and is owned and managed by CMC Ownership LLC. A statement
from Sugar Creek released Wednesday said the teen was being transported by employees "consistent with operational procedure."
The center also said a preliminary investigation indicated "there was likely nothing which our staff could have done
to prevent this tragedy from occurring."
Officials at the justice center weren’t available to talk today by IL deadline.














Jack, I was only responding to bill's comment of tying everybody in government together. I agree with you though, it takes one bad apple to ruin the bunch.. As in any profession. What's truly unfair is when somebody violates someone's trust and takes complete advantage of someone
John’s comment is unfair. The majority of attorneys can be trusted. Unfortunately, all it takes is one greedy, unscrupulous, immoral attorney to jade the public.
In regards to bill's comment about trusting the cover meant. We can trust them about as much as we can trust attorneys'.
This is disturbing to learn...
Yikes!