J.DeWeese Carter Youth Facility Sex Abuse Lawsuit
Numerous adolescent boys and girls spent time at the J. DeWeese Carter Youth Facility between 1982 and 2020. The facility was run by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, which has been the target of many sex abuse allegations for incidents at other juvenile detention centers.
You may have the right to file a lawsuit if you suffered abuse at the J. DeWeese Carter Youth Facility. Legal action can be a powerful way to hold the perpetrators accountable and start moving forward.
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- Victims have come forward with allegations of abuse and neglect against facilities run by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services.
- The J. DeWeese Carter Youth Facility may have a history of abuse based on patterns seen in similar facilities.
- The Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 allows survivors of child sex abuse to take legal action no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.
- If you’re a survivor of Maryland juvenile detention abuse, Helping Survivors is here to connect you with a compassionate attorney who can help you understand your legal options.
What Is the J. DeWeese Carter Youth Facility?
The J. DeWeese Carter Youth Facility was located in Chestertown, Maryland, and opened in 1982 as a secure juvenile detention facility for male youth. The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services operated the facility in this capacity until 2011, when it changed its purpose to serve as a secure treatment program for female youth.
Between 2011 and 2020, the facility provided rehabilitative and mental health counseling services to girls aged 14 to 18. Girls placed in the facility attended school, received medical care, and participated in recreational activities on its property.
Allegations and Reports of Abuse at J. DeWeese Carter Youth Facility
The J. DeWeese Carter Youth Facility closed permanently in June 2020. The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services cited a declining youth population and the opportunity to consolidate resources as reasons for the closure.
After Maryland recently eliminated the statute of limitations for child sex abuse, thousands of victims of mistreatment at juvenile detention centers have taken legal action. Some of these victims experienced abuse as far back as the 1970s.
While there are currently no public allegations of abuse at the J. DeWeese Carter Youth Facility, many other juvenile detention centers in Maryland have faced allegations. Patterns of sexual violence in similar facilities suggest that there may be survivors of abuse at Carter who have not yet come forward.
J. DeWeese Carter Youth Facility Abuse in the News
Recent state legislation has limited the amount of money victims can recover for child sex abuse claims against public institutions, including those overseen by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. The Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 originally set the cap at $890,000 per incident. In April 2025, Maryland lawmakers approved HB1378, which lowered the cap to $400,000.
Rights and Options of Individuals Affected by J. DeWeese Carter Youth Facility Abuse
If you suffered abuse at J. DeWeese Carter Youth Facility, you may have the right to take legal action against the Department of Juvenile Services. The Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 gives all survivors of child sexual abuse in the state the right to file a civil lawsuit related to the abuse.
File a Civil Lawsuit Against J. DeWeese Carter Youth Facility
Filing a civil lawsuit allows you to gain a sense of justice for what happened to you. Additionally, the Child Victims Act allows you to seek both economic and non-economic damages, which may include:
- Medical expenses for any physical harm you suffered due to the abuse
- Mental health treatment costs, including therapy and inpatient care
- Lost wages for the work you’ve missed due to the effects of the sexual abuse
- Emotional distress
The Act also removes the time limit for survivors to file a lawsuit. That means you may take legal action even if the abuse happened many years ago.
Report Abuse to Law Enforcement & Oversight Agency
A civil lawsuit is different from a criminal case. It doesn’t result in criminal charges against the offender. However, you may still want to consider reporting the abuse to authorities. This allows for further accountability and may prevent others from being harmed by the same perpetrator.
One option is reporting the abuse to your local police department. To do so, you can call the non-emergency number or go to the police station in person. This type of action is the most likely to result in criminal charges.
Many state organizations also take reports of juvenile facility abuse in Maryland, including the Maryland Department of Human Services, the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, and the Juvenile Justice Monitoring Unit. However, because the J. DeWeese Carter Youth Facility is no longer operational, reports with these organizations will likely be forwarded to the police.
How a Sex Abuse Lawyer Can Help Today
Helping Survivors is here to help if you’ve been impacted by sexual abuse during your time at the J. DeWeese Carter Youth Facility. Our team can inform you of your rights and provide resources for seeking justice. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced legal professional and start your healing journey.
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