Psychiatrist Says Dump-Truck-Stealing Youth Should Not be Tried as Adult

A psychiatrist who examined the Stow youth who  in December told a juvenile court judge today he believes the 17-year-old should be placed in a diversion program rather than tried as an adult.

The youth took police officers from Stow, Cuyahoga Falls, Akron, Canton and the Ohio State Highway Patrol on a 52-mile chase during which three Stow police cars were damaged. Stow  said the damage totaled $23,000.

The youth "is somewhat immature for his age," said Dr. Stephen Cosby, director of Pediatric Psychiatry and Psychology at  Akron Children's Hospital, who examined the youth after his arrest. "I think sometimes he can be rather impulsive in his judgment and I think that for those reasons that probably he would maybe fit better into a juvenile program."

Prosecutors want the youth to be tried as an adult. Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio said at the hearing today that she expects to decide the issue by the end of this week or next.

Cosby said the youth had other problems, including a history of substance abuse, depression and ADHD. But, he said, the teen responded to treatment after his arrest following the December incident.

Cosby said the teen would benefit from an inpatient program.

The youth's attorney, Erik Fink, agreed, saying, "this is a child who is and has been reaching out for help — this is the  first time he's been consistantly and correctly medicated."

Fink said that because the youth's problems are treatable, they could be addressed in a community diversion program. He asked the judge to treat the teen as a juvenile, not as an adult.

If the teen is tried as an adult and sent to prison, it may be a long time until he receives the treatment he needs, Fink said. 

Prosecutor Robert Capes argued the teen could be just as easily treated in an adult facility.

"He was the principal actor, but not under negative influence. He had two younger juveniles in the truck," Capes said. "He is emotionally and psychologically and physically healthy for transfer." 

In most cases, Patch does not name juveniles accused of crimes.

Click  to read about the incident in December and to see video footage from a Stow police officer's dash camera.

For updates, continue to check back with Stow Patch.