Former Inmates File Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Against DJS

Former inmates of the Thomas J.S. Waxter Children's Center are filing civil lawsuits against the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), alleging widespread sexual abuse at the now-closed facility for girls.

Wave of Lawsuits

Since Maryland's Child Victims Act took effect on October 1, 2023, a significant number of women have come forward with allegations of sexual abuse at the Waxter Center. The lawsuits name DJS as a defendant, holding the state agency accountable for failing to protect detained youth.

The Enabling Legislation

The Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023, signed by Governor Wes Moore, created unprecedented opportunities for survivors:

Key Provisions:

• Eliminates the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse civil lawsuits
• Creates an unlimited lookback period for past abuse
• Applies to both individual perpetrators and institutions
• Went into effect October 1, 2023

This means survivors can now file lawsuits over abuse that occurred years or even decades ago, even if previous statutes of limitations had expired.

About the Waxter Center

The Thomas J.S. Waxter Children's Center operated in Laurel, Maryland as a juvenile detention facility primarily housing girls. The facility:

• Had documented problems for decades
• Was called out for closure in a 2011 monitoring report
• Continued operating until January 2022
• Housed some of Maryland's most vulnerable youth

Allegations

The lawsuits allege:

Sexual Abuse by Staff:

• Guards and staff members sexually assaulted detained girls
• The power dynamics made resistance or reporting nearly impossible
• Abuse occurred over many years

Institutional Failures:

• DJS failed to properly screen employees
• Warning signs were ignored
• Complaints were not adequately investigated
• The culture enabled predatory behavior

Ongoing Harm:

• Survivors suffered lasting psychological trauma
• Many developed PTSD, depression, and anxiety
• The abuse impacted education, careers, and relationships

Why Civil Lawsuits Matter

Criminal prosecution has limitations - statutes of limitations may have expired, evidence may be difficult to gather, and prosecutorial resources are limited. Civil lawsuits offer an alternative path to justice:

• Different burden of proof than criminal cases
• Focus on institutional accountability, not just individual perpetrators
• Can proceed even if abuser has died or was never criminally charged
• Provide financial compensation for survivors' damages

Recoverable Damages

Survivors may be entitled to compensation for:

• Past and future mental health treatment
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Medical expenses
• Other economic and non-economic damages

The Pattern Across Maryland

Waxter is not alone. Multiple Maryland juvenile facilities have faced similar allegations:

• Backbone Mountain Youth Center (DOJ-identified as nation's worst)
• Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center
• Alfred D. Noyes Children's Center
• Cheltenham Youth Facility
• J. DeWeese Carter Center
• Montrose School

The Child Victims Act has opened the floodgates for survivors from all of these facilities.

Taking Action

If you were sexually abused at the Waxter Center or any Maryland juvenile facility:

• There is no deadline to file under the Child Victims Act
• Your case can proceed regardless of when the abuse occurred
• Legal consultations are confidential
• You may be entitled to substantial compensation

The closure of Waxter in 2022 stopped future abuse at that facility. The lawsuits now being filed seek justice for those who were already harmed.