A tragic chapter unfolded when a 16-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries in a West Australian detention facility, marking the first juvenile fatality in such an institution in the region. After being rushed to the hospital in a critical state, he fought for his life for about a week before passing away.

The incident has cast a glaring light on systemic failures, as it has been emphasized that his demise was not the result of any direct human error by the staff present, but rather due to deep-rooted inadequacies within the overall system.

Significant concerns have been raised about the conditions in Cleveland’s cell, which had a known hanging point that remained unrepaired. Despite his repeated requests for counseling and expressing intentions of self-harm, these cries for help went unanswered, highlighting a grave oversight in providing necessary mental health support.

In the aftermath of the inquest into Cleveland Dodd’s untimely death, his aunties, Bonnie Gentle and Eunice Mippy, alongside social justice advocate Megan Krakouer, addressed the media. They spoke outside the Central Law Courts in Perth, on a poignant Monday, December 8, 2025, shedding light on the findings and calling for justice and reform.

During the inquest, the court heard youth justice was in a crisis at the time of Cleveland’s death.

In the 12 days before he harmed himself, Cleveland spent between one and two hours out of his damaged and unfurnished cell each day.

The WA government has previously said many improvements have been made in youth justice since Cleveland died and that a purpose-built facility to house detainees from Unit 18 will be completed within three years.