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11-year-old suspect in killing moved to facility in Erie
NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Since being charged with criminal homicide, 11-year-old Jordan Brown has been in three detainment facilities.
The Wampum, Pa., boy was taken to the Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent Detention Center in Erie, Pa., on Monday, said Dennis Elisco, who is serving as Jordan’s attorney.
When Jordan initially was charged, he was placed in the Lawrence County Jail with other adult criminals Feb. 21. The state intends to try Jordan as an adult.
After it was determined the adult jail was unfit for the boy, he was transferred to Allencrest Detention Center in Beaver County on Feb. 25.
“We would have preferred [the center in Erie] to Allencrest, but we wanted him out of the adult prison as quickly as possible,” Elisco said.
While at the Beaver, Pa., facility Jordan adapted well and was more comfortable, Elisco said. “He was disoriented at the Lawrence County Jail.”
Although Allencrest better suited Jordan, it ended up being a quick fix due to the cost.
“They felt they needed to have constant security and wanted us to pay,” Elisco said.
The facility charged Lawrence County about $4,800 per week to house Jordan. The Erie County facility charges $240 a day, which is about $3,600 less than Allencrest, he said.
The Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent Detention Center is a highly accredited adolescent center and will be much more accommodating to Jordan’s needs, Elisco added.
“We’re very happy he’s being housed there,” he said, noting the facility has had the same director for 30 years and has well-qualified counselors.
Jordan is accused of killing his father’s pregnant fianc e on Feb. 20. Kenzie Houk, 26, was eight months pregnant. Houk was found in her Wampum-New Galilee Road home where she lived with Jordan’s father, Christopher Brown, Jordan and her two daughters.
“He is still confused; still a typical 11-year-old,” Elisco said. “He wants to be home with his dad and back in school.”
“But Jordan was receptive to the counseling and schooling at Beaver, and I think he’ll be even more so at Erie,” he said.
The preliminary hearing for the boy is scheduled March 24 in Lawrence County Central Court. His bail hearing will follow.
kseminara@vindy.com