Teen accidentally left in holding cell

HUDSONVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) - A 17-year-old inmate was left in a 58th District Court holding cell overnight after a communication failure, according to Ottawa County authorities.

The teen, who on Jan. 10 was sentenced to jail for a probation violation, was placed in the holding cell at the Hudsonville courthouse late that afternoon by a bailiff.

The bailiff and the court building security officer didn't have "direct communication" about the teen, Ottawa County Undersheriff Greg Steigenga confirmed to 24 Hour News 8, and a cursory check of the cell was never performed.

The teen remained in the cell overnight until being taken to the adult jail on the morning of Jan. 11.

The holding cell does have bathroom facilities and running water, Steigenga said. Lights were on into the evening and dim lights illuminated the cell overnight.

The building was secure and is used 24 hours a day by sheriff's department personnel, Steigenga said.

"Although it is not standard protocol to house an inmate overnight in that particular holding cell, we do not believe that the inmate was at risk," Steigenga said in an email.

The department is looking into the incident and determining what, if any, procedures need to be changed to prevent similar situations in the future.

The bailiff is a civilian employee of the court, Steigenga specified, and the security office was an employee of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department correctional division.

The teen is no longer an inmate with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department, Steigenga said.