TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Azya Thornton on Nov 17, 2025

Knox County leaders are denying claims by former interim superintendent Rodney Bivens that the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center is unsafe, saying the facility has improved significantly since the county assumed control in July. Chief Operating Officer Dwight Van de Vate told the committee overseeing the center that conditions are in “infinitely better shape” and not unsafe, though he acknowledged more improvements are needed. Bivens, who resigned Nov. 11, said in a statement that the county failed to address dozens of issues outlined in a University of Tennessee County Technical Advisory Service report and that the center “is not safe, nor is it secure.” Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin said he was “mystified” by Bivens’ departure and that the facility is operating well under current staff. According to Knox News, county leaders plan to ask Capt. Cory Dauer to serve as interim superintendent, while Commissioner Andy Fox said he intends to subpoena Bivens to explain his resignation.