Two lawsuits filed on Tuesday revealed shocking allegations of sexual abuse suffered by more than three dozen individuals during their time at a Maryland residential program for youths. The Good Shepherd Services behavioral health treatment center, which closed in 2017 amid similar accusations, is at the center of these claims.
Founded in 1864 by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, the program aimed to provide therapeutic support to Maryland's most vulnerable youth. However, the lawsuits detailed decades of abuse by staff members, including nuns and priests employed by the center.
Many of the plaintiffs, predominantly women, reported being injected with sedatives to make them more compliant. Others mentioned being bribed with food and gifts or threatened with violence and loss of privileges by their abusers.
The lawsuits targeted the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, Department of Human Services, and the Department of Health, which oversaw residential facilities. The Sisters of the Good Shepherd religious order was not named as a defendant.
In response, the state agencies emphasized their commitment to child safety and well-being, stating that they take allegations of abuse seriously. The lawsuits highlighted the failure of the state to protect vulnerable children placed in the care of Good Shepherd.
Good Shepherd closed in 2017 after state agencies removed children from the program due to safety concerns. The facility had previously been cited for inadequate supervision and incidents of sexual assault and drug overdose among patients.
Since the removal of the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases in Maryland, a wave of lawsuits has emerged, shedding light on abuse within the state's juvenile justice system. Attorneys plan to file more complaints under the new law, although potential delays may arise from a constitutional challenge currently underway.
The legal landscape surrounding these cases is evolving, with recent rulings affirming the constitutionality of the law. The broader context of the Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal has also influenced legislative changes and legal actions in Maryland.
