With thousands of sexual abuse claims against the State of Maryland already pending in state courts, a lawsuit filed today in United States District Court represents a new front in the battle for justice for survivors of sexual abuse at Maryland juvenile detention centers. Three brave survivors have come forward, alleging that Maryland state officials violated fundamental civil rights by allowing the sexual abuse of children to occur on their watch.
In a federal lawsuit filed by Levy Konigsberg attorneys Corey Stern and Clark Binkley, along with co-counsel, these three survivors allege that they were sexually abused at while confined as children at two of Maryland’s most infamous juvenile detention centers, the Thomas J.S. Waxter Children’s Center (“Waxter”) and the Charles H. Hickey School (“CHS”).
Waxter was, until its closure in 2022, Maryland’s primary juvenile detention facility for girls. For decades, Waxter was a lightning rod for controversy, with widespread reports and investigations into poor conditions, violently abusive staff, and lack of oversight.
CHS is one of Maryland’s oldest—and most controversial—juvenile detention facilities. Despite the word “School” in its name, Hickey is in fact a prison-like juvenile detention center that has been the subject of federal investigations for its abhorrent conditions, culture of staff violence, and history of sexual abuse. In 2005, Maryland’s own government admitted that CHS was a “living model” for constitutional violations and promised to close the facility—but it remains open to this day, an ongoing testament to the trauma endured by generations of children who suffered within its walls.
Today’s lawsuit alleges that Maryland officials, including former Secretaries of Juvenile Services and superintendents of the facilities, knew that sexual abuse was rampant at these facilities; affirmatively created policies that fostered the abuse; protected the abusers; and in the most crucial moments turned a blind eye, depriving the plaintiffs of their civil rights and subjecting them to horrors that no child should have to endure.
Standing with Survivors as Maryland Moves to Restrict the CVA
With over 1,000 claims now filed, Levy Konigsberg remains steadfast in its commitment to representing survivors of Maryland’s horrific institutional abuse. This legal movement is not only about seeking justice for past wrongs but also about resisting efforts to limit the legal avenues available to future survivors.
In recent months, the State of Maryland has shamefully attempted to restrict the rights of survivors, amending the CVA to reduce maximum available damages for all cases filed after June 1, and moving to stay—or pause—all CVA litigation in the State’s own courts. Today’s filing in federal court is an important step in ensuring that survivors will not be silenced.
In commenting on today’s filing, attorney Corey Stern, Partner at Levy Konigsberg, stated:
“Despite Maryland’s recent unconstitutional legislative efforts to insulate itself from liability for the horrific sexual brutalization of children in its custody, Maryland cannot run from liability under Federal law. The United States Constitution was created for all of us, knowing that some would need protection from the tyranny of their political leaders. Our clients’ rights to their bodily integrity are fundamental, and we will stop at nothing to ensure these rights are honored and protected regardless of the oppressiveness of their elected state officials.”
Levy Konigsberg represents hundreds of survivors of child sexual abuse at and plans to continue fighting tirelessly on their behalf.
Please call 800-315-3806 now and request a free, initial consultation with our firm.