COLORADO YOUTH RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT AND JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS

Fighting for Survivors Sexually Abused in Youth Residential Treatment and Juvenile Detention Centers in Colorado

Youth residential treatment and juvenile detention centers across Colorado have faced years of controversy over rampant staff-on-youth sexual abuse. Now, a growing number of survivors are stepping forward to seek justice against facility operators that failed to protect them. Many more are also exploring their options should a pending constitutional amendment open the door for claims involving abuse from decades ago.

If you or someone you love were sexually abused as a youth in any youth residential treatment or juvenile detention center in Colorado, Levy Konigsberg can help.

History of Sexual Abuse in Youth Residential Treatment Centers in Colorado

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, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, and Acadia Healthcare, which operate such facilities in Colorado. 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:

El Pueblo Boys & Girls Ranch

• In August 2019, it was reported that El Pueblo Boys & Girls Ranch had 243 abuse allegations in one year.

Allegations include aggressive restraint tactics, bruises, and food deprivation.

These allegations involved staff members who had already faced prior accusations. 

A 13-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by another youth after they left the ranch without permission. Records show the youth left despite being listed as in their beds. It took nearly six months for the ranch to respond to the state’s corrective action plan.

In 2017, the facility was ordered to shut down due in part to the abuse allegations. 

Griffith Centers for Children

• In April 2023, former employee Viridiana Oliva was accused of sexually assaulting two underage boys in 2019 and 2020.

In January 2019, she allegedly coerced a 16-year-old to sneak out of the facility multiple times a week to have sex with her.

Oliva was also accused of selling contraband, including cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, and phones, to residents.

The lawsuit also claimed the facility ignored abuse complaints.

Warner House

• In January 2021, former drug rehab counselor Jose Yepes was charged with sexual assault after allegedly having sexual contact with a female victim over a month.

The facility has since closed.

Devereux Cleo Wallace

• In June 2021, it was reported that Devereux Cleo Wallace often had the highest number of 911 calls in the Denver suburb.

• In August 2018, a 15-year-old was hit and killed by a vehicle after running away.

• In March 2003, a 15-year-old went into cardiac arrest while being restrained by seven staff members.

 Tennyson Center for Children

• In 2020, the facility made 357 calls to 911.

In 2021, it was reported that the ombudsman has investigated reports of abuse and neglect at the facility.

Allegations included youth overdosing after breaking into a medicine cabinet and a 12-year-old having sex with an 11-year-old.

• In June 2020, a 12-year-old was hit and killed by a vehicle after running away.
• In 2021, the facility shut down. 

Mount Saint Vincent

• In 2019 and 2020, Mount Saint Vincent averaged about two 911 calls per week.

History of Sexual Abuse in Colorado Juvenile Detention Centers

Colorado’s problematic history of sexual abuse in state-run juvenile detention facilities has been documented by years of investigations and legal filings.

As these records show, the Colorado Department of Youth Services struggled for decades to reign in a systemic staff-on-youth sexual abuse problem. This is apparent from years of high-profile investigations, including several from the federal government.

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

• In 2010, the U.S. Department of Justice released a report on sexual abuse incidents reported in juvenile detention centers nationwide between 2008 and 2009. 

The report found that over 12% of youth at the Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center, a state-run commitment-only facility, experienced sexual abuse while in custody. The rate, which was higher than the national average, included high-than-average rates of staff sexual misconduct. 

The report also found that over 5% of youth at three other Colorado facilities (Platte Valley, Ridge View, Spring Creek) experienced sexual abuse.

• In 2013, another iteration of the Justice Department’s juvenile detention center sexual victimization report, which focused on the year 2012, found that high rates of abuse remained at Lookout Mountain, Platte Valley, Ridge View, and Spring Creek, in addition to a nearly 8% rate of sexual abuse at Zebulon Pike.
• In 2019, yet another Department of Justice report found that high rates of sexual abuse persisted at Lookout Mountain, Platte Valley, Ridge View, and Zebulon Pike. 

The report also found that over 12% of youth at the Betty K. Marler Youth Services Center reported sexual abuse.

• In 2017, an independent report from the Colorado Child Safety Coalition found that a “culture of violence” permeated throughout the state’s juvenile detention facilities. According to the Coalition, there was rampant evidence of staff improperly restraining youth with shackles and straitjackets, inhumane use of isolation, physical violence, and other concerning conditions and practices that that are likely to lead to sexual abuse.

In addition to the DOJ reports, legal filings and criminal cases involving staff-on-youth abuse further reveal how Colorado juvenile detention facility officials failed to stamp out rampant sexual abuse and misconduct.

Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center

• In March 2021, Maggie Stastny pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child and was sentenced to seven years in prison for sexually abusing a youth at the Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center in Centennial.

Stastny, who taught at the Center, had also been employed as a teacher in the Cherry Creek School District when she was arrested in September 2019, and previously worked for the Adams County, Aurora Public Schools, and Jefferson County Public Schools school districts.

Adams County Youth Services Center

• In July 2018, Michelle Theresa Sarillo, a counselor at the Adams County Youth Services Center, was charged with sexual assault on a child in connection to her sexual abuse of a 16-year-old between September 2015 and February 2017. 

Betty K. Marler Youth Services Center

• In July 2018, Sandy Fisher, a guard at the Betty K. Marler Youth Services Center, which was shut down by the Colorado Department of Human Services in 2018, was arrested on charges that he sexually assaulted a female youth. 

According to authorities, Fisher told the victim that he would allow her to use his vape pen in exchange for sex.

Grand Mesa Youth Services Center

• In August 2017, Brian Matthew Tate, a former guard at the Grand Mesa Youth Services Center, was arrested for sexually abusing two female youths on multiple occasions. 

Both victims stated that Tate fondled and coerced them into having sex with him in areas that could not be seen by surveillance cameras, and that Tate threatened them to not report the abuse. 

In April 2018, Tate was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Gilliam Youth Detention Center

• In December 2016, Armando Torres, a corrections worker at the Gilliam Youth Detention Center, was charged with sexual assault on a child after investigators found that he had sexual contact with two  female youths.

LK is Investigating Sexual Abuse Claims involving all Youth Residential Treatment Centers in Colorado

Levy Konigsberg is currently investigating reports of sexual abuse by staff against past and present youths at Colorado youth residential treatment facilities. The investigation includes facilities and operators with a history of or allegations involving sexual abuse and related complaints, regardless of whether they are still operational or not. 

The facilities include:

• El Pueblo Boys & Girls Ranch
• Griffith Centers for Children
• Warner House
• Devereux Cleo Wallace
• Tennyson Center for Children
• Mount Saint Vincent
• Centennial Peaks Hospital
• Highlands Behavioral Health System
• Cedar Springs Hospital
• Havenwyck Hospital

LK is Investigating Sexual Abuse Claims involving all Juvenile Detention Centers Across Colorado

Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating claims from current and former youths who were sexually abused by staff at youth detention facilities across Colorado. This includes various facilities (both in operation and closed) with a history of documented or suspected sexual abuse and complaints, such as:

• Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center
• Platte Valley Youth Services Center
• Ridge View Youth Services Center
• Spring Creek Youth Services Center
• Zebulon Pike Youth Services Center
• Sol Vista Youth Services Center
• Betty K. Marler Youth Services Center
• Grand Mesa Youth Services Center
• Adams County Youth Services Center
• Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center
• Gilliam Youth Detention Center

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

Colorado Sexual Abuse Attorneys

The statute of limitations is a law that limits the amount of time you have to start a legal case after something wrong or illegal has happened. Under current Colorado law, survivors of childhood sexual abuse at privately-operated facilities who were born after January 1, 1998 may file civil lawsuits at any time.

Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating allegations of sexual abuse at any Colorado  youth residential facility or juvenile detention center.

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.