People v. R.W. (In re R.W.)

*147 I.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On the evening of January 12, 2017, Deputy Slawson was on duty at the Barstow Sheriff's Department. At about 7:30 p.m., she was asked by fellow deputy Mamon to watch a juvenile he had detained (minor) during a stolen vehicle investigation 1 until her mother arrived from Phelan to pick her up. The department had a policy which required minors in sheriff's custody to be kept at the station for their safety until they could be released to their parent or another authorized adult. At the time she was turned over to Deputy Slawson's custody, minor was no longer under investigation and no charges were being filed against her. Deputy Slawson escorted minor into the report-writing room and told her to have a seat until her mother arrived.

As Deputy Slawson was doing paperwork on an unrelated matter, minor began speaking to her about the vehicle theft. Minor said she stole the car, and she wanted to speak with the deputy who made the initial traffic stop and arrested the driver. Minor asked to use Deputy Slawson's personal *70 cell phone to call the deputy, but Deputy Slawson refused. Minor became frustrated and increasingly impatient. Deputy…