Hamtramck Court Hears Testimony on Juvenile Jail Assault Case
In Hamtramck, two teenagers testified on Tuesday regarding serious allegations against a staff member at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Center. The youths, aged 16 and 17 at the time of the incidents, claimed that Svetlana Kuryanova, a 33-year-old staffer from Farmington Hills, sexually assaulted them in a back room of the facility this spring.
Details of the Incident
The first teenager, dressed in a black polo shirt, recounted how Kuryanova lured him into the back room, promising him candy and instructing him not to inform anyone about the encounter. His testimony indicated that Kuryanova pulled down his shorts and then proceeded with the assault. This was part of a pattern, as Kuryanova is accused of committing similar acts with both boys within just minutes of each other.
When asked about the incident, the second teenager, in a brown county-issued jumpsuit and with handcuffs, described feeling “shocked” and “scared” during the event. He testified that after Kuryanova had exited the back room, he saw her sitting on the floor while the first teen was adjusting his clothing. Shortly after, Kuryanova allegedly turned her attention to him, repeating the same abusive actions.
Court Proceedings
Following the testimony, Judge Alexis Krot determined that there was sufficient evidence to forward the case to Wayne County Circuit Court for trial, indicating the seriousness of the allegations. Kuryanova has been charged with two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, each of which can lead to a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
During the court proceedings, the defense attorney, Samuel Bennett, argued that the testimonies provided by the youths contained inconsistencies. For instance, one teen claimed that he witnessed the other being assaulted, while the other denied seeing it occur. This discrepancy could play a significant role in the case as it heads to trial.
Surveillance Evidence and Testimonies
Prosecutors presented various videos from inside the detention center. One clip appeared to support the youths’ accounts, showing Kuryanova entering the back room first with one boy, followed by the other boy entering shortly after. In another video, Kuryanova was seen coming out of the back room with both youths, drinking from a sink, and even gargling—a detail highlighted by Assistant Prosecutor Elisabeth Moore during the proceedings.
Moore emphasized that the boys’ testimonies were backed by the video evidence, asserting their credibility. The video showed moments where one of the teens was seated close to Kuryanova, with their knees nearly touching as they conversed. In this interaction, the teen held her hand, discussing tattoos, the timing of which remains unclear concerning the alleged assaults.
Additional Context and Concerns
Both teenagers expressed their fears about being in the facility, a concern that has become more pronounced given the ongoing issues of overcrowding and understaffing at the Wayne County Juvenile Detention Center. These factors have led to complaints citing inhumane conditions, making the environment even more precarious for vulnerable youths.
As the case develops, the spotlight remains on the misconduct allegations, the conditions of the juvenile detention system, and the necessity for safeguarding the welfare of the youths housed there.
Further developments in this case are expected as it moves forward to the next stages of the judicial process.
