Lakeland Behavioral Health System in Springfield, Missouri, is at the center of a series of lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by employees at its juvenile treatment facility. Two lawsuits filed this week include a total of 31 plaintiffs—28 in one suit filed on May 7, and 3 plaintiffs in another filed May 5. The lawsuits accuse Lakeland and its parent company, Acadia Healthcare, of systemic failures that allowed for the abuse of vulnerable minors in their care.
Allegations of Abuse at Lakeland Behavioral Health
The plaintiffs, all minors when they were admitted to Lakeland Behavioral, claim they were subjected to various forms of sexual abuse by staff members over the years. The abuse allegedly took place within the facility, and in some cases, outside the premises. The two former employees mentioned in the lawsuit, Lessie Butler and Mark McMannamy, have already been criminally charged for their involvement in the abuse. Butler is accused of assaulting three patients in 2023, while McMannamy was sentenced in 2024 for two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
In addition to these charges, the plaintiffs allege that numerous other employees, whose names have not been disclosed, also participated in the abuse. The lawsuits claim that the facility’s failures in supervision and monitoring contributed significantly to the ongoing abuse. The lawsuit also names high-level officials within Lakeland, including CEO Nate Duncan, as defendants, accusing them of negligence in supervising the staff and failing to take appropriate action once the abuse was reported.
“These already vulnerable young people experienced further harm by those meant to help and heal them. Acadia Healthcare appears to have a widespread and ongoing issue of sexual abuse and cover-ups at their over 250 centers across the country, including a foster case in New Mexico where the victim was awarded $485 million in 2023 for the harm she endured. They should be ashamed of putting profit over protection.”
Kathryn Kosmides, Survivor Advocate with Helping Survivors
The Scope of the Lawsuits
The lawsuits allege that the abuse occurred over a significant period, dating back to the time when Acadia Healthcare took control of Lakeland in 2011. The civil lawsuits cite multiple counts of negligence and accuse the facility of failing to properly report the incidents, protect the minors in their care, and implement proper safety measures. The petition outlines how the lack of proper surveillance, including non-functional video monitors, created an environment where abuse could go undetected.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages in excess of $25,000 for each of the counts listed in the lawsuit, which include negligence, premises liability, and failure to supervise employees properly. The lawsuit also accuses Acadia Healthcare, the company overseeing Lakeland, of not taking the necessary steps to prevent abuse at their facilities.
Failure of Oversight and Negligence at Lakeland Behavioral Health
An attorney representing the plaintiffs in these lawsuits, has expressed that this legal action is an essential step toward justice for the victims of abuse. They emphasized that Acadia Healthcare’s failure to ensure proper employee supervision and the insufficient measures in place to prevent abuse reflect broader issues within the facility’s operation. They have also pointed to Acadia’s alleged tendency to prioritize profit over patient safety, as evidenced by its history of patient neglect.
Lakeland’s official response to the lawsuits stated that the facility does not tolerate any form of assault or abuse. The two employees cited in the lawsuits, Butler and McMannamy, have been terminated. However, the lawsuit alleges that these terminations were insufficient and did not prevent further incidents of abuse, which continued even after these employees left the facility.
The Impact on Victims and Families
The lawsuits have brought attention to the trauma suffered by the victims and their families. According to the plaintiffs, many of them experienced severe emotional and psychological harm as a result of the abuse. Some of the victims’ families have reported changes in their children’s behavior, including violent outbursts, fear of going to school, and long-term physical injuries.
The plaintiffs argue that the failure of Lakeland to address these issues adequately, combined with the lack of oversight from Acadia Healthcare, has led to ongoing harm for these victims. This lawsuit, along with other similar cases, seeks justice not only for the survivors of sexual abuse but also for those whose suffering was ignored by the institution entrusted with their care.
Our Commitment to Justice for Survivors
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse at Lakeland Behavioral Health or any other treatment facility, it is important to know that justice can still be pursued, even if the abuse happened years ago. The lawsuits filed this week are part of an ongoing effort to hold institutions like Lakeland accountable for their negligence and failure to protect vulnerable minors in their care.
At Helping Survivors, we are here to assist victims of sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers and mental health facilities in taking legal action. If you have been a victim of sexual abuse at Lakeland or another institution, we encourage you to reach out for a confidential consultation. Our compassionate team of attorneys is dedicated to providing support and legal representation to help you navigate the path to justice.
Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation. Together, we can seek the justice you deserve.
