Overview
- The newly filed federal suit by Taylor Cadle claims the Polk County Sheriff’s Office maintained a pattern and practice of failing to train and supervise officers, citing personnel records that allege prior investigative lapses by Detective Melissa Turnage.
- Defendants include Sheriff Grady Judd, Detectives Melissa Turnage and William Rushing, ten unnamed sheriff’s employees, and Henry Cadle, with the filing seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
- The sheriff’s office rejects the case as frivolous, says deputies conducted an extensive investigation, and confirms Turnage remains a detective and Rushing is a lieutenant.
- Cadle was 13 when she was charged with lying to law enforcement during the 2016 investigation, pleaded guilty in 2017, wrote apology letters, and was kept in her adoptive uncle’s home.
- After documenting a July 25, 2017 assault with photos and video, Cadle called 911, leading to Henry Cadle’s arrest and a 17-year sentence, while her plea was vacated and the charge against her was dismissed; the local state attorney later required consultation before charging juveniles who report sexual abuse.