Johnny Lim, who was being held for investigation of car theft, died early Dec. 26. After complaining of an excruciating headache, he vomited and fell to the floor.

The county's medical examiner ruled the death a "spontaneous brain-stem hemorrhage" attributable to natural causes.

But Lim's family - and an attorney representing staff at the center - say there are many unanswered questions about the boy's final hours.

"Johnny's family and friends are quite upset and have reason to believe that something was abnormal or out-of-the-ordinary with regard to his death - a young man in good health who suddenly dies while in custody," said Moni Law, an attorney representing the Lims.

Workers at the center have complained since 2004 about faulty and unpredictable intercom systems, but Mark Bolton, deputy director of the county Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention, has said the intercom in Lim's cell was working.

"We're looking forward to a full airing on this," said Jared Karstetter, who represents juvenile-detention officers. "The whole purpose of an inquest is to ascertain the facts and circumstances surrounding a death like this."

Lim's was the first in-custody death in the facility's 14-year history. County protocols call for formal public inquiries whenever an incarcerated person dies. The case has been assigned to Superior Court Judge Darrell Phillipson. No date has been set.