A new lawsuit filed on October 10, 2025 brings six additional former youth into the growing number of individuals accusing the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) of ignoring sexual abuse allegations at its facilities. This latest case involves abuse at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn, Oregon, and further raises questions about institutional accountability.
Brief Summary of Allegations Against MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Oregon
The lawsuit centers on abuse allegedly committed by Edward Gary Edwards, a longtime physician who served at MacLaren from the late 1990s through at least 2017. He passed away in February of this year. According to the filings, Edwards, whom youth and staff reportedly referred to as “Dr. Cold Fingers”, sexually abused boys held in the facility, some as young as 13, between 2001 and 2011.
The complaint names nine current and former OYA officials and 15 unknown staff members, alleging that those in supervisory roles failed to intervene or investigate despite repeated reports. One lawyer on the case said that this case isn’t just about one doctor; it’s about a system that chose silence over protection.
The Pattern of Litigation & Institutional Context
This lawsuit is one chapter in a larger wave of legal action against OYA. According to public reporting, at least 68 individuals have filed suit in 2025 alone, across at least 10 separate lawsuits targeting the agency.
MacLaren is OYA’s largest secure youth facility, housing about 180 male youths between the ages of approximately 12 and 24. OYA itself oversees five correctional and four transitional facilities statewide.
Previous lawsuits against Edwards and OYA have sought tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars in damages; so far, claims tied to Edwards alone have been reported at around $330 million.
Public‑records and media reports reveal long‑standing concerns: a backlog of abuse complaints, repeated internal investigations, and allegations of institutional indifference.
For instance, a grand jury investigation was launched in Marion County after authorities received more than 100 investigations of potential misconduct at MacLaren. In response, OYA spokesperson Will Howell reiterated that the alleged conduct is “abhorrent” and emphasized the agency’s commitment to youth safety while stating that the accusations do not reflect the actions of the many trusted staff members.
How Helping Survivors Can Support You
At Helping Survivors, we believe that your experience, your choice matters. We are dedicated to connecting individuals who experienced sexual harm in youth‑correctional facilities with resources, including experienced attorneys who focus on institutional abuse and survivor‑centered support. Whether your experience happened many years ago or more recently, you are not alone. You deserve to know your rights and options. We can help you understand what paths may be available.
If you or someone you know were in custody at a facility operated by the Oregon Youth Authority (such as MacLaren) and experienced sexual misconduct, harassment or abuse by staff, you may be able to take legal action. Contact Helping Survivors today to learn how you might exercise your rights and pursue civil options.
