WA sued over sexual abuse at juvenile detention centers - YouTube
A lawsuit against Washington State alleges a doctor sexually assaulted hundreds of children at Green Hill School and Maple Lane juvenile detention facilities over nearly four decades.
Summary
Washington State sued over decades of alleged sexual abuse at Green Hill and Maple Lane juvenile detention schools, with attorneys representing 200+ victims claiming a doctor assaulted children during fake medical exams.
A coalition of Washington law firms has filed suit against the State of Washington, alleging decades of sexual abuse at two juvenile detention facilities. The lawsuit claims a doctor sexually assaulted hundreds of children under the guise of medical examinations at Green Hill School and Maple Lane School.
The Lawsuit
Filed in late 2025, the civil lawsuit is brought by attorneys David S. Vogel, Anne M. Bremner, and Patrick D. Moore on behalf of 14 named plaintiffs. However, attorney Vogel says these plaintiffs represent just a fraction of the victims.
"I have filed claims against the state for well over 200 of my clients," Vogel told FOX 13 Seattle.
The Accused Doctor
The lawsuit centers on a doctor who allegedly worked at both facilities from 1982 to at least 2020 - nearly four decades. According to the complaint, the doctor sexually abused and raped hundreds of children behind closed doors under the pretense of conducting medical examinations.
"Under the pretense that this was all testing, and that they couldn't move, and it would ruin the results of the test, and you would have to do it again," Vogel explained. "So, at the end of this so-called test, he would say, 'you're a healthy kid, you can put your clothes back on,' and then he would give them candy on the way out."
The doctor was reportedly a prominent member of the Chehalis community during the time of the alleged abuse. He has since left his role at the facilities. No criminal charges have been filed, and this is a civil case.
The Facilities
Green Hill School in Chehalis is a maximum-security juvenile detention facility for male offenders, despite its misleading name. The facility has faced years of scrutiny over misconduct and abuse.
Maple Lane School in Centralia operated as a juvenile rehabilitation facility. Both facilities housed some of Washington's most vulnerable youth - children who had already been failed by other systems.
Named Defendants
The lawsuit names:
- Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
- Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF)
- Green Hill School
- Maple Lane School
- The accused doctor (unnamed in media reports due to pending civil nature)
State Response
DSHS declined to comment on the active litigation. DCYF deferred all questions to DSHS.
Washington's New Law
Like California's AB 218, Washington recently changed its statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims, giving survivors more time to file lawsuits. This change has enabled many victims who were previously time-barred from seeking justice.
Pattern of Problems at Green Hill
This lawsuit adds to a troubling pattern at Green Hill School:
- Multiple investigations into staff misconduct
- Reports of excessive force against detained youth
- Previous allegations of inappropriate relationships between staff and inmates
- Ongoing concerns about conditions and treatment
Impact on Survivors
The abuse described in the lawsuit would have profound effects on survivors:
- Sexual abuse by a trusted medical professional creates deep trauma
- The institutional setting made escape impossible
- Candy given after assaults represents classic grooming behavior
- Decades of silence suggest survivors feared not being believed
What This Means
"By allowing this to happen, the state undermines its own goals of reducing crime in our society and bettering people," said attorney Patrick Moore. "So that negligence is just self-defeating from a social level."
The attorneys say their goal is to get their clients justice after years of having their voices silenced. The case is expected to be heard within the year.
Seeking Help
If you were detained at Green Hill School, Maple Lane School, or any Washington juvenile facility and experienced abuse:
- The new statute of limitations changes may allow you to file a claim
- Multiple law firms are actively investigating these facilities
- Consultations are typically free for abuse survivors
- Coming forward can help protect current and future detained youth