A West Virginia court has upheld a finding of maltreatment against Tyler Fernandes, a correctional officer at the Gene Spadaro Juvenile Center, following a physical altercation with a juvenile resident. The Intermediate Court of Appeals of West Virginia ruled on November 12, 2026, affirming the decision made by the West Virginia Office of Inspector General Board of Review. This ruling is significant as it reinforces the accountability of correctional staff in juvenile facilities and underscores the importance of proper conduct in handling vulnerable populations.

The case stems from an incident on January 22, 2025, when Fernandes was involved in a confrontation with a 17-year-old resident identified as C.B. The altercation escalated after C.B. expressed frustration over not being allowed to speak with a therapist. The court's decision highlights the need for correctional officers to maintain professionalism and to seek assistance when dealing with potentially volatile situations.

Tyler Fernandes, the appellant in this case, was employed at the Gene Spadaro Juvenile Center for only four months prior to the incident. The West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Social Services (WVDHS), was the respondent in the case. The dispute arose after the WVDHS substantiated a finding of maltreatment against Fernandes, which he subsequently appealed.

The incident began when C.B. was placed in his room after being disruptive. C.B. attempted to engage Fernandes in conversation, but the interaction turned hostile. Fernandes reportedly responded with profanity, leading to a physical confrontation where both parties sustained injuries. C.B. suffered a nosebleed, black eye, and abrasions, while Fernandes received an injury to his left eye. The altercation was captured on video, and other juvenile residents corroborated C.B.'s account of the incident.

Following the incident, the WVDHS initiated an investigation through its Institutional Investigation Unit (IIU), which concluded that Fernandes had intentionally inflicted physical harm on C.B. The IIU's report indicated that Fernandes had verbally instigated the confrontation and failed to seek assistance before entering C.B.'s room, which was deemed inappropriate given the circumstances.

On January 30, 2026, the Board upheld the IIU's finding of maltreatment against Fernandes. The Board determined that the evidence supported the conclusion that Fernandes acted inappropriately, stating, "the evidence revealed that Mr. Fernandes verbally and profanely instigated C.B., failed to contact staff professionals, did not request officer assistance prior to entry, and did not act with immediacy." This ruling was based on the testimonies of C.B. and other residents, as well as the video evidence from the incident.

In its ruling, the court emphasized that it would not reweigh the evidence or make credibility determinations, as that is the role of the Board. The court stated, "At their core, Mr. Fernandes’ arguments ask this Court to reweigh the evidence, substitute its judgment for that of the Board, and reach a conclusion more favorable to him. We decline to do so." The judges involved in the decision included Chief Judge Daniel W. Greear, Judge Charles O. Lorensen, and Judge S. Ryan White.

The impact of this ruling is significant for correctional facilities and the treatment of juveniles within the system. It reinforces the expectation that correctional officers must act responsibly and seek assistance when necessary, particularly in volatile situations. This case may set a precedent for how similar incidents are handled in the future, emphasizing the importance of accountability among staff in juvenile facilities.

Looking ahead, it is unclear whether Fernandes will appeal the decision further. The court's ruling affirms the Board's decision, and while there may be grounds for appeal, the legal framework surrounding administrative agency decisions often limits the scope of further challenges. Details were not available in the court filing regarding any potential related cases or future actions by Fernandes.