New Lawsuit Filed Against Pennsylvania Juvenile Detention Center
A lawsuit was brought against the Delaware County Juvenile Detention Center in March 2021. Under the legal guidance of Brian Kent, ESQ., two victims have courageously stepped forward with allegations that staff ignored sexual, physical, and mental abuse for years.
About Delaware County Juvenile Detention Center
The facility is located at 3412 W Kilgore Ave, Muncie, IN 47304. It claims to provide a safe and secure setting for juveniles between ten and eighteen years old that are “likely to endanger” the community. The center can admit up to 66 youths at a given time. In 2013, they admitted 1,096 juveniles, and in 2018, they admitted 504. From 2019 to 2020, the facility reportedly housed 782 juveniles. The average stay in 2018 was 17 days, down from 21 days in the prior years.
Years of Neglect and Abuse
As far back as 2012, a lawsuit was filed against the facility alleging that a male victim was physically abused. He described being slammed to the ground and having his head smashed against a window after complaining to a social worker about his mistreatment. Additionally, his abuser punched him in the face, causing him to have a bloody nose. The court found in favor of the detention center.
New Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Abuse at the Detention Center
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the lawsuit is aimed at both state and county agencies. The facility was temporarily closed on March 12, 2021, as allegations of rape and distribution of drugs and alcohol to minors were filed in a lawsuit. Brian Kent, who represents the victims in the case, has provided his thoughts on the legal rights of victims sexually abused at detention centers.
“Detention centers and other facilities for troubled youth have a legal obligation to provide a safe residence for the children. This facility is accused of hosting “private parties” where minors were given alcohol and Xanax, in addition to smoking marijuana. During the same parties, female victims were allegedly raped by up to five guards. Another male victim also alleged he was raped by one of the staff members who threatened to “kill him and his entire family” if he reported it. A female victim that attempted suicide shared how she was forced to drink toilet water. These claims were backed by another female that was locked in seclusion without access to drinking water for days as she sat covered in feces.”
“The incidents in the lawsuit go back approximately 15 years and describe several more disturbing allegations of abuse. Former employees of the Child Guidance Resource Center have stepped forward, outing the pressure on staff members to cover up these horrific incidents. With an intense investigation on the safety measures implemented, we can show how the facility was negligent by withholding the reports and attempting to cover up the abusive culture throughout the years.”
“Properly reporting misconduct is critical to preventing the abuse from continuing. Having a staff that consists of predators waiting to take advantage of the children in their care can be sufficient grounds for negligence on behalf of the facility. Parents expect that these safety measures are being carried out and that the higher powers are enforcing them, but in this case, we do not believe the proper safety measures were in place to protect these children.”
Legal Recourse For Victims of Sexual Abuse
Victims of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of juvenile detention center employees can seek justice through both criminal and civil courts. By directly filing against the perpetrators, they may be able to eliminate further abuse from those charged. Additionally, the facility can be held responsible for the abuse if they are found to be negligent. Victims and their families are encouraged to consult with an experienced sexual abuse attorney to discuss their legal rights confidentially.
To learn more about information and resources available to survivors of sexual abuse in Pennsylvania, read our page: https://abuseguardian.com/sexual-assault-lawyer/pennsylvania/sexual-trauma-therapist-pa
Sources:
Abuse Guardian for Pennsylvania and New Jersey
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