Baltimore Del. Caylin Young, charged with second-degree assault following a New Year's Day incident, has stepped down from his role in Mayor Scott’s administration, although he remains a state elected official. Young, 38, had served as the deputy director of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights since 2021, a position he vacated last Thursday, as confirmed in a resignation announcement.
The charge against Del. Young stems from a confrontation that reportedly became physical early on the first day of the new year. As detailed by FOX Baltimore, the alleged assault occurred around 2:30 a.m. on South Charles Street. Young, engaged in a disagreement over a driving decision with the complainant, is accused of striking them in the chest with a closed fist during a vehicle stop. This action was followed by several blocks of silence from Young, even after he was confronted about the incident.
Court documents specify that Young was issued a criminal summons instead of being taken into custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for February 23. The seriousness of an assault charge, particularly for someone in Young's previous role advocating for equity and civil rights, cannot be understated.
Young, in a statement to WMAR-2 News, noted he is "[r]esigning to focus on clearing my name so I can properly serve my constituents." This move signals a commitment to resolving the legal challenges before him while he continues to hold onto his legislative position.
The Mayor's Office has maintained a firm stance on the matter, expressing that it is their policy not to comment publicly on personnel decisions. Young's resignation comes at a time when the issues of equity and justice are under intense scrutiny, with his court predicament striking a dissonant chord with the responsibilities bestowed upon elected officials, especially those tasked with upholding civil rights. As Young prepares for his day in court, the constituents of East and Northeast Baltimore watch on, balancing the weight of allegations with the presumption of innocence that anchors the American legal process.
