MONROE COUNTY CHILDREN’S DETENTION CENTER SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS

Fighting for Survivors Sexually Abused at Monroe County Children’s Detention Center in New York

Monroe County’s Children Detention Center purports to provide a safe environment for children and professional, supportive staff.  Allegations of sexual violence, physical assault and neglect perpetrated against juveniles by staff members within the facility illustrate that a culture of abuse has been enabled at the facility.

If you or a loved one has suffered abuse at the Monroe County Children’s Detention Center, Levy Konigsberg is here to help. Reach out today.

History of Child Sexual Abuse at Monroe County Children’s Detention Center in New York

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

• In December 2022, former employee Gregory Bodine spoke out about abuse at the facility after he himself was fired from employment and charged with criminal obstruction of breathing and endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly choking a child at the facility. Bodine revealed staff members allowed children to fight each other in what he referred to as “fight club” within the facility and described staff members beating children up while other staff members acted as lookouts.

• In December 2022, former employee John Kanu was charged with endangering a child’s welfare after allegedly allowing two youths to engage in slap boxing.  According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Kanu was also seen on camera striking a juvenile in the face.

• In June 2020, Alonzo Fagan, a former employee of the facility, was accused of raping a minor female at the facility in 1980 when she was 15.  Fagan allegedly forced her into prostitution during a weekend furlough, assaulted her and threatened to kill her if she reported the abuse. At first, when the survivor reported the abuse to police, police did not believe her and did not charge Fagan with a sex crime. Eventually, Fagan was convicted in 1981 of assault, endangering the welfare of a child and promoting prostitution.

• In February 2020, Alcindor Coleman, a former guard at the facility, was accused of allegedly repeatedly sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl who lived at the facility in 1992.  Coleman was charged with rape, sodomy and sexual abuse.

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.