CAPITAL DISTRICT JUVENILE SECURE DETENTION FACILITY SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS

Fighting for Survivors Sexually Abused at Capital District Juvenile Secure Detention Facility in New York

Levy Konigsberg is investigating claims that children at Capital District Juvenile Secure Detention Facility in Loudonville, New York were allegedly sexually abused by staff.

The Capital District Juvenile Secure Detention Facility, located in Loudonville, New York, is a secure detention center for minors placed through the juvenile justice system. Youth housed at the facility are under constant supervision and rely on staff for their safety, care, and well-being.

While the facility is operated by Berkshire Farm Center & Youth Services (now known as Together for Youth), it is a distinct detention center with its own staff, operations, and reported incidents. This page focuses specifically on allegations tied to the Capital District Juvenile Secure Detention Facility, rather than broader allegations involving the organization’s other programs or locations.

Reports have described alleged sexual misconduct by staff, the use of inappropriate restraints, and broader concerns about oversight and conditions within the facility. These allegations, along with reported incidents involving harm to residents, have raised serious questions about the protection of minors in custody.

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

History of Child Sexual Abuse at Capital District Juvenile Secure Detention Facility in New York

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

• In June 2021, Michesha Cancer, a former employee of Berkshire Farm Center for Youth, which is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the facility, was arrested for raping a resident of the Capital District Youth Center when she worked in the facility.

• In October 2022, a teenager died at the facility after he said he was not feeling well in the days leading up to his death, but was reportedly very healthy when he entered the facility.

• According to a November 2022 report, the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs had documented 11 cases of maltreatment at the facility in the prior year.  These cases include physical and sexual abuse by staff, as well as the use of deliberate inappropriate restraint.  According to the same report, since 2016, the Office of Children and Family Services had received 86 reports of “significant incidents” at the facility. Those incidents can include inappropriate restraints, abuse, or youth being treated in a way that could harm their health or well-being.

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.