A lawsuit has been filed against Palmetto Pee Dee Behavioral Health, a now-defunct facility in Florence, South Carolina, over accusations of repeated physical and sexual abuse allegedly suffered by a teenage boy during his stay at the center in 2014. The boy, then 15 years old, claims that the facility, which is no longer operational, failed to protect him despite multiple reports of the abuse.
The unnamed boy claims that the abuse began immediately after his admission to the facility in January 2014. According to the lawsuit, his assigned roommate sexually assaulted him, an incident the boy immediately reported to staff. Despite his efforts, the facility’s staff allegedly failed to intervene, and the abuse continued to escalate.
Details of the Alleged Abuse
The lawsuit outlines a disturbing pattern of mistreatment that reportedly involved at least six different residents of the facility. The boy’s accusations include a range of abuse, from unwanted sexual harassment and touching to violent beatings and forced oral sex. The boy also claims that, when he reported the abuse to staff, no action was taken, and he was physically punished for speaking out.
One particularly harrowing incident is described in the lawsuit, in which the facility’s staff allegedly watched as the boy was beaten by other residents, with one staff member even recording the incident on her phone. Despite the severity of the injuries he sustained, the boy claims that he was never taken to the hospital for treatment and was instead given only Tylenol for pain relief.
Staff Allegations and Facility’s History
The lawsuit also accuses certain staff members of directly participating in the abuse. One staff member allegedly beat the boy, while others reportedly provided alcohol to teenage residents and coerced them into having sex. The attorneys representing the boy argue that the abuse was systematic and that the facility’s staff turned a blind eye, allowing the mistreatment to continue unchecked.
The lawsuit also places blame on the facility’s parent company, Universal Health Services (UHS), alleging that the company was aware of the abuse but failed to take action because doing so would have threatened their profit margins.
A Dark History of Violations
Palmetto Pee Dee Behavioral Health closed its doors in June of 2019, with the facility’s CEO citing the high costs of renovating its aging leased property as one of the reasons for its closure. However, the center had a history of violations and regulatory fines, including a $15,800 fine from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. These past issues raised concerns about the facility’s ability to adequately care for the children under its supervision.
UHS, which owns Palmetto Pee Dee Behavioral Health, has yet to be formally served with the lawsuit. While the company has stated that it does not typically comment on pending litigation, it has indicated that it will be prepared to respond to the allegations in court.
How Helping Survivors Offers Support
Survivors of abuse, especially those who have experienced mistreatment in behavioral health or residential facilities, deserve to know their rights and options. If you or someone you know has experienced abuse or neglect in a similar situation, it’s important to seek legal assistance. At Helping Survivors, we connect survivors with experienced legal professionals who can provide guidance and help navigate the path to justice.
If you have been impacted by sexual abuse, we encourage you to reach out for support and resources. No one should have to face such challenges alone—contact Helping Survivors today to learn about your legal rights and the options available to you.
