Photo: “La Case De Sidney” at 1914 Vance Avenue, Chattanooga
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
A legal battle fought for months between the Baptiste Group and the State of Tennessee has come to an end.
The Georgia-based nonprofit was contracted by the Federal Government to temporarily house unaccompanied alien minors in the old Tennessee Temple Dormitory in Chattanooga on 1914 Vance Avenue.
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The situation created public outcry after The Tennessee Conservative broke the story, which was eventually picked up by mainstream media but nothing was done to stop Chattanooga from being a illegal immigrant hub until a surprise inspection by the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services uncovered that two female employees inflicted sexual battery on two male minors at the facility and that another had escaped from the facility.
The State subsequently revoked the license of the Baptiste Group to run the facility, a decision which was upheld by Tennessee administrative law judge Phillip Hilliard in July 2021.
However, shortly thereafter, the Baptiste Group appealed the suspension of the license, claiming that the state violated their right to due process in its handling of the two reports of sexual abuse occurring at the facility dubbed “La Casa de Sidney”. Their claim accused the state of prejudice and bias against the company.
Last week, Davidson County Chancellor Patricia Head Moskal dismissed the lawsuit following a joint stipulation request submitted by attorneys for the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery and others.
Per the terms of the agreement, the Baptiste Group withdrew its appeal to the County Chancellor’s prior order, thereby upholding the State’s suspension of their license issued in July 2021.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that as a part of the agreement, the Baptiste Group retains the right to reapply for a license to operate but many believe that is unlikely due to public uproar following the uncovering of their operation.
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
