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Luzerne County facing another crisis within its Juvenile Justice System

The effects of Kids for Cash are still felt to this day, as another crisis unfolds within the Juvenile justice system in Luzerne County and beyond.

Melissa Steininger

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Published: 6:41 PM EDT March 11, 2024
Updated: 8:57 AM EDT March 12, 2024

It's been 15 years since two Luzerne County judges were accused of taking Kickbacks in exchange for sending kids to privately-run juvenile detention centers in the scandal now known as "Kids For Cash."  The effects of Kids for Cash are still felt to this day, as another crisis unfolds within the Juvenile justice system in Luzerne County and beyond.

This crisis is unfolding as law enforcement has been grappling with violence and gangs among young people. Just last month, a man barely out of his teens was charged with shooting a Scranton police detective in the head. Days later, Scranton police arrested a teenager from Wilkes-Barre as he walked toward Scranton high school carrying a rifle. Many officials cite one common factor in many of these crimes. 

Action 16 Investigates reporter Melissa Steininger has been working for months to uncover this hidden issue. 

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