WERE YOU SEXUALLY ABUSED IN A RHODE ISLAND YOUTH RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTER?
You May Be Entitled To Substantial Compensation
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RHODE ISLAND YOUTH FACILITY SEXUAL ABUSE LAWSUITS
Fighting For Survivors Abused at Rhode Island Juvenile Detention Centers and Youth Residential Facilities
Rhode Island youth facilities allegedly failed to protect patients from sexual abuse by staff, with multiple criminal charges filed against employees across the state.
Levy Konigsberg is investigating claims that youth at Rhode Island juvenile detention centers and youth residential facilities were sexually abused.
Rhode Island’s juvenile detention centers and youth residential treatment facilities have faced multiple allegations of sexual abuse by staff members, with criminal charges filed against employees. The cases involve staff members in positions of trust who allegedly used their access to vulnerable youths to commit sexual assault.
If you or a loved one was harmed, contact us today.
Were you sexually abused?
History of Abuse at Rhode Island Youth Facilities
Examples of alleged abuse, and of conditions likely to lead to abuse, include the following:
St. Mary’s Home for Children
- In May 2024, Jennie Debras and Halimatou Diallo, two former St. Mary’s staff members were arraigned on felony assault charges for allegedly assaulting a 9-year-old boy in DCYF care.
Debras was accused of throwing a chair at the boy; Diallo allegedly shoved the boy to the ground, causing him to hit his head.
Two other staff members were fired for allegedly assaulting the same boy in a separate incident.
- In January 2024, the Rhode Island Office of the Child Advocate’s 119-page report on St. Mary’s Home for Children detailed abuse, neglect, drug overdose, youth-on-youth sexual and physical abuse, staff-on-youth physical assault, and negligence.
Staff were allegedly told not to document incidents.
Police were called to the facility more than 300 times in two years.
In April 2023, a 17-year-old resident was found on a bathroom floor after a suspected overdose on the same day a staff member allegedly assaulted her.
- In 2022, a woman filed a lawsuit against St. Mary’s after her daughter allegedly ran away from the facility multiple times and was raped twice while in its care.
The lawsuit alleged the facility was understaffed and that staff lacked adequate training and supervision.
Bradley Hospital
- In July 2025, Jose Montanez, a former employee at Bradley Hospital in East Providence, Rhode Island, was arrested and charged with second-degree sexual assault, third-degree sexual assault, and indecent solicitation of a child for allegedly sexually assaulting an underage patient at the behavioral health facility.
- In November 2020, Nikkilas Jones, former behavioral health specialist at Bradley Hospital was charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault for allegedly sexually assaulting a juvenile patient at the facility on two separate occasions in late 2018.
Butler Hospital
- In June 1994, a civil lawsuit was filed against Butler Hospital and other defendants in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a minor by Father Richard Meglio.
According to the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Appendix A report, Meglio allegedly first accessed the victim at Butler Hospital in Providence in 1972, when the boy was 12 years old and a patient at the facility.
Meglio allegedly repeatedly transported the victim from Butler Hospital to the church and rectory, where he sexually abused him.
The abuse continued after the boy was discharged.
In 2003, the Diocese settled the case for $500,000.
LK is Investigating Sexual Abuse Claims from all Juvenile Detention and Residential Treatment Facilities in Rhode Island
Levy Konigsberg is now investigating cases of sexual abuse and assault that occurred at any juvenile detention center or youth residential treatment facility in Rhode Island.
You may have a potential claim if you were sexually abused while housed in these or any other juvenile detention centers and programs:
We specialize in sexual abuse lawsuits against powerful institutions. These include government entities (such as prisons, schools, and juvenile detention / juvenile treatment centers), technology companies, and clergy.
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We work on contingency, which means there’s no cost to hire and no fee unless we win.
Who Can You Sue in a Sex Abuse Civil Case?
In a sex abuse civil case, the parties you might sue can vary depending on the circumstances of the abuse and the relationships involved.
Some potential parties that could be sued in a sex abuse civil case include:
- Individual Perpetrator: The alleged perpetrator of the sexual abuse can be named as a defendant in the lawsuit. This is often the person who directly committed the abusive acts.
- Institutions and Organizations: If the abuse occurred within an institution or organization, such as a school, church, sports club, or workplace, and they failed to take appropriate action to prevent or address the abuse, they might also be held liable.
- Employers: If the perpetrator was an employee of an organization or institution, the employer might be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employee if the abuse occurred within the scope of their employment.
- Property Owners: If the abuse occurred on a property owned by someone else, and the property owner failed to provide adequate security or take reasonable steps to prevent the abuse, they might be considered liable.
- Government Entities: In some cases, government entities might be involved, especially if the abuse occurred within a state institution or facility. Suing a government entity might involve specific procedures and limitations.
Sex abuse cases can be legally complex, so it's highly advisable to consult with experienced legal professionals who specialize in this area to understand your options and pursue the appropriate legal action. Levy Konigsberg, along with our team of sexual abuse lawyers, is available to provide assistance for your sexual abuse case.
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
Rhode Island Sexual Abuse Attorneys
Levy Konigsberg is actively investigating allegations of sexual abuse at Rhode Island juvenile detention centers or youth residential treatment centers.
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.
Trust Levy Konigsberg's Legal Team for Proven Results in Sexual Abuse and Negligence Cases
Levy Konigsberg LLP, a nationally recognized law firm, has built a legacy over three decades, recovering over $3 billion in sexual abuse compensation for clients. Led by award-winning sexual abuse lawyers, we specialize in representing survivors in sexual abuse across the country, taking on powerful institutions. Our top-rated trial practice handles all types of sexual abuse or negligence cases, showcasing numerous testimonials and successful case results.