Pleasantville Cottage School (JCCA) Sex Abuse Lawsuit

The Pleasantville Cottage School, operated by the Jewish Child Care Association, known as JCCA, has provided residential care for foster children with emotional, behavioral, and education challenges for over a century. In recent years, however, the facility has drawn intense scrutiny. Multiple lawsuits have alleged widespread physical, and sexual abuse of minor residents, with some accusations reaching back to the 1960s. In 2023, Westchester County officials even called for Pleasantville’s closure after hundreds of police responses for violence, unsafe conditions, and staffing concerns. The Pleasantville Cottage campus currently houses approximately 160 foster children ages 7 to 16. Along with programs such as the Edenwald Center and Gateways, it forms part of JCCA’s network serving more than 17,000 children and families each year.

Recent lawsuits, including those filed in July 2025 under New York’s Child Victims Act, accused the organization of negligence in hiring, supervision, and protection of residents. Survivors describe an environment where vulnerable children were left exposed to abuse by staff members and other residents. New York law now allows survivors of child sexual abuse to pursue civil lawsuits until their 55th birthday, regardless of when the abuse occurred or whether the abuser was ever criminally charged or convicted. Helping survivors connects those affected at Pleasantville or other JCCA facilities with experienced trauma-informed attorneys who can provide free consultations to help you understand your legal rights and options, including filing a civil lawsuit. Every law firm we work with takes these types of cases on contingency, meaning there are no upfront costs to pursuing a claim.

For more information or support, please reach out to Helping Survivors today.