Berkshire Farm Center & Youth Services Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Fighting for Survivors Sexually Abused at Berkshire Farm Center & Youth Services in New York State

Berkshire Farm Center & Youth Services sexual abuse lawsuits allege that children were allegedly sexually abused in residential programs in New York.

Levy Konigsberg is investigating claims that children were allegedly sexually abused at Berkshire Farm Center & Youth Services in New York.

Berkshire Farm Center & Youth Services (BFCYS) is a New York-based organization that operates residential programs and youth facilities serving minors placed through the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, including the Kinderhof Group Home in Valatie, which has operated as part of the organization since 1983. It is now known as Together for Youth. 

These programs provide housing, supervision, and services to vulnerable youth, in structured, staff-monitored environments where residents rely on caregivers for their safety and well-being.

Berkshire Farm Center & Youth Services (BFCYS) is a separate organization from the Capital District Juvenile Secure Detention Facility, which is one of several facilities it has operated or been affiliated with in New York. This page focuses on allegations involving BFCYS as an organization, including conduct that may have occurred across multiple programs and locations, rather than at any single facility.

The organization has faced serious reports involving staff misconduct and the physical or sexual harm of minors in its care. These incidents raise significant concerns regarding the safety protocols and supervision maintained by BFCYS. 

If you or a loved one was harmed, contact us today.

History of Abuse at Berkshire Farm Center & Youth Services in New York State

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

• In July 2021, Michesha Cancer, an employee of Berkshire Farm Center & Youth Services (BFCYS), was arrested for allegedly raping a child at the Capital District Youth Center, a facility operated by BFCYS.

• In June 2019, Kelli Wagers, an employee of BFCYS was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing two minors at the facility.

• In April 2011, two staff members at the facility allegedly physically abused a youth by slamming his head into the ground.

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

New York Juvenile Detention Center Attorneys

A statute of limitations sets deadlines for victims to bring claims against their abuser or entities responsible for the abuse. New York has pioneered efforts to make it easier for sexual abuse survivors to seek justice and compensation.

In 2019, New York passed the Child Victims Act, expanding the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Under current law: (1) survivors of childhood sexual abuse at privately operated juvenile detention centers who were born after February 14, 1998, have until age 55 to file civil lawsuits; and (2) survivors of childhood sexual abuse at juvenile detention centers operated by governmental entities, who were born after November 15, 1999, have until age 55 to file civil lawsuits.

In addition, on January 29, 2026, the New York City Council enacted Introduction 1297, an amendment to the Gender-Motivated Violence Act (GMVA). Introduction 1297 reopens the GMVA lookback window for 18 months. As a result, survivors with previously time-barred claims for sexual abuse that occurred in New York City and prior to January 9, 2022 can file lawsuits between January 29, 2026 and July 29, 2027. Survivors of sexual abuse that occurred in New York City and on or after January 9, 2022 have seven years to bring their claims.

Thus, there may be new avenues to seek justice for previously time-barred claims of abuse at New York juvenile detention centers. If you were sexually abused at a New York juvenile detention center at any time, reach out today.