Mother: Transgender boy awaited mental care before suicide

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Family members of a 16-year-old transgender boy who killed himself at a Maine juvenile detention facility say he was denied mental health care.

Charles Knowles was found dead at the Long Creek Youth Development Center on Nov. 1. The teen would have appeared in court this week for setting fire to his house in August. The ACLU and gender rights group GLAD have called for a state review of the center.

The Portland Press Herald reports (http://bit.ly/2gh3kbs) that Knowles' mother, Michelle Knowles, said she begged authorities to give her son mental health treatment, but was told no because he was held temporarily.

State Corrections Commissioner Joseph Fitzpatrick hasn't responded to multiple requests for comment.

Knowles' grandfather, John McQuillan, told The Associated Press his grandson had spent a "lot of time" in children's hospitals and treatment centers in recent years.

By MARINA VILLENEUVE,  Associated Press

Copyright Associated Press. All rights reserved.

The Gayly - 11/16/2016 @ 10:52 a.m. CST.