ALASKA JUVENILE DETENTION AND YOUTH RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS

Fighting for Survivors Sexually Abused in Juvenile Detention and Youth Residential Treatment Facilities in Alaska

For years, youth in Alaska juvenile detention and youth residential treatment centers have faced unimaginable abuse at the hands of the very people who were supposed to protect them. This betrayal has shattered lives and left deep, lasting wounds.

At Levy Konigsberg, we believe survivors deserve justice. Their stories must be told. By bringing these crimes to light, we can help prevent future abuse and create a safer future especially for vulnerable youth.

History of Child Sexual Abuse in Juvenile Detention and Residential Treatment Centers in Alaska

In June 2024, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee released a sweeping report detailing abuse at residential treatment facilities operated by major healthcare companies, including Universal Health Services, which operated one such facility in Alaska. The report revealed systemic sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, unsafe conditions, inhumane confinement practices, and neglect throughout these facilities.

Examples of alleged abuse, and of conditions likely to lead to abuse, include the following:

North Star Behavioral Health

• In October 2022, a report alleged cases of sexual abuse and other violations at North Star Behavioral Health.

Federal investigators found misuse of isolation to control patients, patient-on-patient assaults, and failure to notify parents when their children were harmed. 

In one case, a youth stayed at the hospital for over a month without receiving any therapy.

• In September 2022, a 14-year-old boy was allegedly sexually abused by another patient at North Star.

Another 11-year-old was also allegedly sexually abused by another patient while staying there in August 2021.

• In November 2022, former employees alleged that the hospital failed to hire, train, and retain enough staff. The hospital was allegedly understaffed and had faulty alarm protocols.

A Joint Commission investigation found violations of patient rights and unsafe conditions.

State reviewers also found medical notes that were incomplete or inconsistent.

The Pathway Home

• In April 2024, police investigated alleged abuse at The Pathway Home, a long-term mental health program for teens ages 13–18 run by Southcentral Foundation. 

Boys and Girls Home of Alaska

• In June 2011, Moses Simpson, a worker at the Boys and Girls Home was accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy who lived there.

McLaughlin Youth Center

• In November 2018, Phillip Eugene Bigham, a former Juvenile Justice Officer at McLaughlin Youth Center, was found guilty of seven counts of sexual abuse of a minor, solicitation, and attempted escape. 

After he resigned, staff discovered he had secretly maintained contact with a 16-year-old youth. It was later revealed that Bigham sexually abused her over four days in November and wrote her letters outlining an escape plan from the facility.

• In January 2014, police reported that former justice officer Daniel Carey was accused of sexually abusing a minor he met at the facility.

In January 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice report found that 15% of youth at McLaughlin Youth Center reported experiencing sexual abuse.

LK Investigating Sexual Abuse at Alaska Juvenile Detention and Youth Residential Treatment Centers

Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating abuse allegations at the Alaska juvenile detention and  residential treatment facilities, including:

• North Star Behavioral Health
• The Pathways House
• Boys and Girls Home of Alaska
• McLaughlin Youth Center
• Bethel Youth Facility
• Fairbanks Youth Facility

If you or someone you know experienced abuse at these or similar institutions, contact our experienced attorneys today.

Do I Have a Case?

You may have grounds to file a civil legal action if:

• You were sexually abused by a guard, counselor, nurse, or other youth residential treatment or juvenile detention center staff member.
• The abuse occurred at any youth residential treatment or juvenile detention facility.

Levy Konigsberg represents survivors in civil lawsuits that aim to hold youth residential treatment facilities,  juvenile detention centers, private healthcare companies, and other facility operators accountable for their failures to stop abusive staff members and protect young residents.

As civil claims, these cases are separate from any criminal proceedings that may arise from abuse and focus instead on holding institutions liable for damages. This means you may still have a claim even if:

• Your abuser is no longer alive.
• Your abuser was never charged with or convicted of a crime.

Recoverable Damages in Sexual Abuse Claims

In addition to providing accountability and a sense of justice, civil sex abuse lawsuits allow survivors to recover financial compensation for their damages, which may include:

• Past medical and mental health expenses
• Future mental health expenses, including therapy, medications, etc.
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish and psychological harm
• Lost income
• Other economic and non-economic damages

Alaska Sexual Abuse Attorneys

Under current Alaska state law, survivors of sexual abuse have two years from the date of their abuse, or two years from the date they discover the connection between their injuries (which can include addiction, self-harm, and other mental health issues) and the abuse (or a defendant’s actions that led to the abuse), to file civil lawsuits against an institutional defendant.

Determining the statute of limitations in your claim can be challenging, as there are many factors to consider. Contact Levy Konigsberg for a free consultation

Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating allegations of sexual abuse at Alaska juvenile detention center or youth residential treatment facilities.

We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society and seeking justice for survivors of sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers and youth residential treatment facilities. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing legal representation and support to survivors, and we are actively investigating allegations of abuse. We are working tirelessly to ensure that survivors have access to justice and that future generations of young people are safe from harm within these institutions.