Maryland Sheriff Urges Caution for Joggers Following Murders and Abuse Allegations

Several lawsuits were filed on Tuesday, alleging sexual abuse of more than three dozen individuals while they were children at a Maryland residential program which closed in 2017 due to similar allegations. The lawsuits targeted the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, Department of Human Services, and Department of Health. The plaintiffs accused the staff at Good Shepherd Services, which was meant to provide therapeutic support, of decades of abuse.

Abuse Allegations

The lawsuits outlined how the individuals, mostly women, were subjected to abuse, including being injected with sedatives to hinder resistance, bribery with food and gifts, threats of violence and loss of privileges. The perpetrators included nuns, priests, and other staff members of the Good Shepherd Services behavioral health treatment center.

Government Agencies

The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, Department of Human Services, and Department of Health have been named in the lawsuits for their involvement with the program. These agencies contracted with Good Shepherd and referred children there for treatment. While the Sisters of the Good Shepherd religious order was not named as a defendant in the suits, the state agencies have stated that they take allegations of sexual abuse seriously and work to ensure the safety of children in their care.

Failures in Protection

Attorneys have accused the state of Maryland of failing to protect the most vulnerable children in its care by sending them to Good Shepherd. The program was closed in 2017 after the state decided to withdraw children from the facility. This decision came after reports of sexual assault and improper supervision, including an incident where patients showed signs of overdose after taking medicine stolen from a medical cart.

Impact of Abuse

One plaintiff mentioned that when she confided in a priest during confession about being abused by employees at the center, instead of helping her, the priest sexually assaulted her and continued to abuse her regularly thereafter.

Legal Changes and Challenges

After a change in state law that eliminated the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases, a flurry of lawsuits have been filed alleging abuse within the state's juvenile justice system. This legal change was influenced by the sexual abuse scandal within the Catholic Church, particularly the Archdiocese of Baltimore. However, the state's juvenile justice system is now under scrutiny, and there is an expected constitutional challenge to the new law, which could delay the cases being filed under it.

Constitutional Challenge

A judge in Prince George’s County ruled that the law eliminating the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases was constitutional in response to a challenge filed by the Archdiocese of Washington. This decision is expected to be appealed, and it involves accusations of the archdiocese's failure to protect individuals from clergy sexual abuse during their childhood.