LAS VEGAS (AP) — Federal authorities are investigating whether pepper spray has been used illegally against children housed at two of Nevada's most secure youth facilities.
The U.S. Justice Department announced Thursday that it opened a probe of the use of "chemical restraint" at Summit View Youth Center outside Las Vegas and the Nevada Youth Training Center near Elko. It didn't specify allegations that led to the investigation.
The state Division of Child and Family Services says staff is trained in the use of pepper spray under its use-of-force policies.
It says staff is required to issue warnings and exhaust "all other measures" first, and a review is done every time pepper spray is used.
