Pennsylvania Juvenile Detention Center Abuse
Sexual abuse at Pennsylvania juvenile detention centers is a known and ongoing issue - and those impacted deserve to know their legal rights and options.
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
- Pennsylvania incarcerates more juveniles than most other states, and documented sexual abuse has been prevalent in both privately run and government-operated facilities for decades.
- In 2024, over 200 lawsuits have been filed over Pennsylvania juvenile detention center sexual abuse—and many more are expected in 2025 and beyond.
- If you have experienced sexual abuse while incarcerated at a Pennsylvania juvenile detention facility, you have legal rights and options, including eligibility to file a lawsuit over the harm – we can help you understand them and help you pursue justice.
Overview of Pennsylvania Juvenile Detention Center Abuse
Pennsylvania incarcerates more juveniles than the national average. The incarceration rate in the Keystone State is 129 per 100,000 youths, while the national average is 114. The majority of the young people incarcerated in these facilities are first-time offenders who committed low-level offenses and are unlikely to commit another offense, according to a 2021 report commissioned by the state government.
However, rather than receiving the care and attention they deserve, hundreds of individuals have alleged pervasive and ongoing sexual abuse at juvenile detention facilities and treatment centers across the state. News reports, government studies, civil lawsuits, and filings in criminal proceedings have detailed sexual abuse at Pennsylvania youth facilities, whether privately operated or government-run, over the years.
A January 2010 U.S. Department of Justice report revealed that the Cresson Secure Treatment Unit had a particularly high incidence of sexual abuse, with about 33 percent of youth inmates reporting abuse by staff members or other inmates—nearly three times the reported national average. Meanwhile, the same report found that 12 percent of youths incarcerated at the Loysville Youth Development Center reported that they had experienced sexual abuse at the facility.
Documented examples of sexual abuse at Pennsylvania juvenile detention centers include the following conduct:
- Grooming
- Sexual coercion
- Inappropriate sexual comments
- Inappropriate touching, including molestation, groping, and unnecessary strip searches
- Sexual assault, including forced oral sex and rape
- Being given food, drugs, cellphones, or contraband in exchange for sexual acts
- Threats of violence or retaliation after abuse is reported
If you or a loved one has experienced any form of sexual abuse while incarcerated at one of these facilities, you have rights and options. We’re here to inform and empower you to pursue justice and healing. If you would like to speak with someone about pursuing these options, contact us, and we can connect you with an experienced attorney for free today.
Pennsylvania Juvenile Detention Center Abuse: Legal Rights & Options
Individuals as young as ten years old have been victims of sexual abuse while incarcerated at a Pennsylvania juvenile detention or treatment facility. While these facilities are meant to help young people, they often have caused even more trauma with life-long effects.
Whether you or a loved one recently experienced sexual abuse while at one of these facilities or it happened decades ago, you have legal rights and options.
These options may differ depending on various factors, including the civil and criminal statutes of limitations. The civil statute of limitations sets the deadline for filing a civil lawsuit, while the criminal statute of limitations imposes the deadline for prosecutors to bring criminal charges.
Under a 2019 Pennsylvania law amending the civil statute of limitations, child sexual abuse survivors abused before age 18 have until their 55th birthday to file a lawsuit. Before the 2019 law, the civil statute of limitations required child victims to file a case within 12 years of turning 18—or their 30th birthday.
However, the 2019 law is not retroactive. Therefore, only those born after November 26, 1989, have until their 55th birthday to file suit. Survivors who had already turned 30 by 2019 are time-barred from filing lawsuits.
Meanwhile, the 2019 law also gives individuals who were between the ages of 18 and 23 when the sexual abuse occurred until their 30th birthday to file suit. Adult victims who were over age 23 when the sexual assault occurred only have two years from the incident date to file suit.
The criminal statute of limitations for child sexual abuse in Pennsylvania varies by the type of criminal charge. The deadline for prosecutors to bring a majority of felony sexual abuse charges involving minor victims ranges from 12 to more than 35 years.
However, the laws are subject to changes, and there might be exceptions that apply to you. Therefore, even if you believe the statute of limitations has expired, you should still speak with an attorney. If you reach out to us today, we can connect you with an experienced attorney for a free consultation. An experienced sexual abuse can advise you about your rights and options.
File a Pennsylvania Juvenile Detention Center Abuse Lawsuit
If you have experienced sexual abuse at a Pennsylvania juvenile detention center, you may have the right to file a civil lawsuit or join an existing one against the state, the facility, its operator, and the responsible individuals.
A sexual abuse lawsuit allows abuse survivors to seek monetary compensation for the harm they’ve endured. A lawsuit can also force changes that help protect others from future abuse. While no amount of money can erase the harm that happened to you, a lawsuit can help you seek compensation to cover your mental health expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. This compensation can give you the resources to take time to process and heal from the harm.
If you have experienced sexual abuse while in a Pennsylvania juvenile detention facility, consulting a lawyer is the best way to understand the specific laws and deadlines that apply to your case.
The experienced attorneys we work with offer free consultations and take these types of cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they recover compensation for you. Their fee is a pre-agreed percentage of any settlement or award. Thus, there are no upfront costs.
Even if you are unsure about wanting to pursue this option, we suggest reaching out and speaking with someone as soon as possible. The sooner you file, the better your chances of success.
We are here to listen and advocate for you.
Report Pennsylvania Juvenile Detention Center Abuse to Pennsylvania Oversight Agency
The Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services, or BJJS, oversees the management, operations, program planning, and supervision of all youth development centers and youth forestry camps in Pennsylvania. While many of the facilities in the state are privately operated, the BJJS is responsible for licensing them and overseeing the well-being of incarcerated youth.
According to its website, you can file a sexual abuse report by calling ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313. The report can either be confidential or non-confidential. You can also contact the Bureau of Juvenile Justice Prison Rape Elimination Act Coordinator at (717) 787-9532 to learn about other reporting options.
We recommend recording all reporting conversations, including the initial call and any follow-up conversations, emails, or other communications.
Please note: We strongly recommend consulting an experienced juvenile detention center abuse attorney before contacting any oversight agency. An attorney can help protect your rights throughout the reporting process. Helping Survivors can connect you with a knowledgeable attorney for free today.
Report Pennsylvania Juvenile Detention Center Abuse to Law Enforcement
Reporting abuse to law enforcement can be daunting for survivors of juvenile detention center abuse, especially when the abuse was inflicted by those connected to law enforcement, such as correctional officers, police officers, or other facility staff.
Reporting may feel unsafe or intimidating for those still in the juvenile system. However, a trusted individual outside the facility can support them in exploring their rights and options. However, this person should only take action with the impacted individual’s full knowledge and informed consent.
Even if the abuse occurred years ago, you still have the right to report it to law enforcement. Reporting to law enforcement will trigger a criminal investigation. However, a prosecutor’s ability to pursue charges will depend on factors like the availability of evidence and the criminal statute of limitations.
Please note that private individuals cannot press criminal charges against the perpetrators. Generally, only prosecutors can file charges. Even if no charges are filed, filing a police report creates an important paper trail documenting the abuse. This documentation can be valuable for others who might come forward against the same individual.
Helping Survivors can guide you through the process of reporting abuse to law enforcement, should you decide to take this step. Please reach out with any questions.
The list below names several employees of Pennsylvania juvenile facilities who have been charged with sexual offenses. If any of these individuals have abused you, you can still file a report.
Criminal Charges Against Pennsylvania Juvenile Detention Center Employees
As of publication, criminal charges have been filed against numerous employees of Pennsylvania juvenile facilities for sexual and physical abuse. The following are just some of the individuals who have faced criminal charges:
- In April 2021, Michael McIntosh pleaded guilty to institutional sexual assault for raping a mental health patient. McIntosh was employed as a technician at Fairmount Behavioral Health.
- In December 2017, Jordan Ondish, a special education teacher at Summit Academy, was charged with sexual assault. An investigation reportedly revealed she had engaged in sexual relations with a student on multiple occasions.
- In May 2015, Sarah Trumphour, a former employee of George Junior Republic, pleaded guilty to felony sexual misconduct involving a minor at the facility related to sending sexually explicit messages and images to the boy, arranging for sexual acts in the facility’s laundry room, and taking him to a motel for sex while he was home on a weekend pass.
- In January 2015, Aimee Bailey pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a youth detainee in 2013 at the now-closed Northwestern Academy in Excelsior, PA.
- In April 2013, Dr. David Evanko pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two students at Summit Academy, where he had served as a physician in the 2000s. Evanko has a history of abuse, having previously targeted children while serving as a Boy Scout leader in the 1980s and 1990s.
- In December 2010, Melanie Louise Hill, an employee of the Loysville Youth Development Center, was charged with institutional sexual assault of a then 18-year-old male resident.
- In January 2004, Amy Anderson pleaded guilty to multiple sex crimes, including having a sexual relationship with a minor at the George Junior Republic facility. Among other actions, Anderson assisted a 16-year-old boy in escaping from the juvenile detention center in 2002 and lived with him for two months while avoiding authorities.
List of Pennsylvania Juvenile Detention Center Facilities & Reports of Abuse
The Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services oversees government-run juvenile detention centers in Pennsylvania. The agency has pledged to operate the facilities under restorative justice principles. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services oversees the BJJS and established its first youth program, a youth forestry camp, in 1956.
They have since expanded their use of these facilities across the state.
Government-run Pennsylvania juvenile facilities include:
- South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit
- North Central Secure Treatment Unit
- Loysville Youth Development Center
- North East Secure Treatment Unit
- Western Secure Treatment Unit
- Southeast Youth Development Center
- Carson Valley Children’s Aid
- Delaware County Juvenile Detention Center (closed)
According to No Kids in Prison, there were 1,098 incarcerated youths as of 2020 in Pennsylvania’s juvenile detention centers.
A majority of incarcerated youth in Pennsylvania are sent to privately operated juvenile detention centers in Pennsylvania. These facilities may be privately run by for-profit or nonprofit organizations.
- Abraxas Academy
- Abraxas I
- Abraxas Youth Center
- Adelphoi Village Secure Treatment
- Brooke Glen Behavioral Health System
- Devereux
- Fairmount Behavioral Health
- Foundations Behavioral Health
- Glen Mills School
- George Junior Republic
- Horsham Clinic
- Loysville Youth Development Center
- North Central Secure Treatment Unit
- Shuman Juvenile Detention Center (closed and then reopened in July 2024)
- Southwood Psychiatric Hospital
- St. Gabriel’s Hall
- Summit Academy
- VisionQuest
- Cresson Secure Treatment Center (closed)
- Mid-Atlantic Youth Services (closed)
- Northwestern Academy (closed)
Whether you were incarcerated in a government-run or privately operated youth correctional facility, you have legal rights and options if you experienced sexual abuse. Additionally, even if the facility is now closed, you may still be able to pursue legal action, such as a sexual abuse lawsuit.
We can help you understand these rights and options and support you in the process, no matter how you choose to proceed.
A majority of these facilities have faced allegations of sexual abuse over the years – these are just a few of them based on the specific facility.
Pennsylvania Juvenile Detention Center Abuse in the News
Many youth detention centers in Pennsylvania have been covered by the media for sexual abuse allegations over the years. These are just some of the allegations that have made headlines.
67 Individuals File Lawsuits Against Pa Juvenile Facilities for Sexual Abuse
In July 2024, 67 individuals filed lawsuits against seven privately operated and three government-run Pennsylvania youth incarceration facilities. The lawsuits allege sexual abuse by guards, counselors, and other staff members.
The complaints describe decades of abuse, including allegations that staff members repeatedly raped minor detainees and threatened to harm the victims if they reported it. As of November 2024, the lawsuits are ongoing. Over 200 Pennsylvania juvenile abuse lawsuits have been filed since May 2024.
92 Men and Women File Lawsuits Against Pa Juvenile Detention Facilities
In July 2024, nearly 100 individuals filed claims against Summit Academy, George Junior Republic, and Abraxas Youth & Family Services over alleged sexual abuse that occurred between 2000 and 2023.
Each individual has filed their own claim, many detailing allegations that teachers, staff, assistant and head coaches, and doctors sexually abused juveniles ages 10 to 17. The abuse alleged in the complaints is harrowing and demonstrates a pervasive and systemic issue at these facilities.
‘Serious racial disparities’ in Pennsylvania juvenile court
In June 2021, the bipartisan Pennsylvania Juvenile Justice Task Force filed a report after reviewing 16 months of data.
The results of the study revealed the following:
- Nearly 40 percent of youths were sent to a juvenile detention or treatment facility on their first written allegation.
- Fifty-four percent of youth entering the system on written allegations were assessed as “low risk to re-offend,” and 60 percent have no prior allegations.
- Black youths represented 38 percent of cases in juvenile court. However, 62 percent of these youths were detained before adjudication, and 47 percent were sent to a residential facility.
The committee made several recommendations to help make young people safer, improve accountability, and save tax dollars. However, the implementation of these recommendations remains unclear.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse while incarcerated at a Pennsylvania youth detention facility or treatment center, you have legal rights and options. You deserve to understand these options and pursue help and healing. We’re here to support you in getting the information you need to feel empowered and ready to take the next step forward.
Pennsylvania Juvenile Detention Center Abuse Lawsuit FAQ
We help individuals of all forms of sexual abuse, including those impacted by sexual abuse at juvenile detention facilities across the United States. We’ve spoken to dozens of impacted individuals and have compiled this list of common questions individuals have about filing a sexual abuse lawsuit after experiencing abuse in a Pennsylvania juvenile detention or treatment center.
How long do I have to file a Pennsylvania juvenile detention center sexual abuse lawsuit?
The civil statute of limitations in Pennsylvania for filing a sexual abuse lawsuit can be complex. Thus, we recommend reaching out so we can evaluate the specifics related to your case.
In general, an individual who experienced sexual abuse as a minor has until the age of 55 to file a lawsuit, as long as they were born after November 26, 1989, to file a lawsuit.
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer to file a sexual abuse lawsuit for juvenile detention center abuse in Pennsylvania?
Experienced juvenile detention center abuse attorneys—like the ones we work with at Helping Survivors—take these types of cases on contingency.
They will review the facts and circumstances of your case and advise you of your options for free. They will not charge any upfront costs and will only get paid if they recover compensation for you.
What are the potential outcomes of a sexual abuse lawsuit against a Pennsylvania juvenile detention center?
In general, the main outcome of civil litigation is financial compensation. However, you might also be able to pursue other actions, such as changes in the organization’s policies.
Each case is unique. The amount of compensation you can recover for a sexual abuse lawsuit against a Pennsylvania youth detention facility depends on many factors. However, an experienced attorney might be able to provide an estimate after evaluating the specifics of your case.
Can I file a lawsuit without revealing my personal information?
Yes, you can likely file a lawsuit confidentially without revealing your personal information. You might be eligible to file your lawsuit “under seal” or as a John or Jane Doe.
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