COLUMBIA, S.C. — A former South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) associate deputy has been charged after allegedly striking a handcuffed juvenile.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) charged Adrian Oneal Cartledge, 45, with misconduct in office, and assault & battery 3rd degree on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.
The SLED investigation, requested by the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, found that Cartledge used excessive force by intentionally striking a handcuffed juvenile in the face on October 2, 2024. The incident was captured on facility camera footage.
Officials said Cartledge was responding to a call for assistance for a juvenile outside the juvenile's cell when the incident happened. The juvenile reportedly complied with instruction before being handcuffed behind his back. After the juvenile was brought to his feet, officials say Cartledge used his right elbow to strike the juvenile in the face and ten escorted the juvenile to his cell.
The juvenile sustained minor injuries, according to warrants.