Were You Abused in a Massachusetts Juvenile Detention Facility?

You may be entitled to significant compensation. Massachusetts has 40 juvenile detention facilities with 13 documented incidents of abuse. Get a free, confidential case review.

40

Facilities

13

Incidents

11

Lawsuits

$0.9M+

Settlements

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Massachusetts Statute of Limitations: 35 years from age 18 for childhood sexual abuse

Time limits apply to abuse claims. Don't wait - get your free case evaluation today.

Massachusetts Victims Have Won Settlements

Documented settlements from Massachusetts juvenile detention abuse cases. Your story matters.

YearFacilitySettlementDetails
2014Key Program Inc$0.43MKey Program settlement with former employees
1962New England Home for Little Wanderers$0.43MBaby Doe Settlement

Total documented settlements in Massachusetts: $0.9M+

Your Legal Rights in Massachusetts

Statute of Limitations

35 years from age 18 for childhood sexual abuse

No Upfront Cost

Most attorneys work on contingency - you pay nothing unless you win your case.

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Massachusetts Detention Facilities

40 juvenile detention facilities across 24 cities. Click any facility to see documented incidents and legal options.

Brockton(1 facility)

Documented Incidents in Massachusetts

Lawsuits, investigations, and abuse cases at Massachusetts juvenile detention facilities.

Justice Resource Institute Marlborough documented abuse incident

Justice Resource Institute Marlborough faces 1 documented abuse incident according to legal tracking sources. The facility has been identified as having abuse allegations with survivors reportedly winning settlements.

General abuse allegations at Key Program Inc facilities

Legal service websites indicate that abuse incidents have occurred at Key Program Inc facilities, with victims potentially entitled to compensation. The sites mention various forms of abuse including sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.

Multiple abuse allegations at RFK Childrens Action Corps Lancaster

Legal website indicates potential cases involving various types of abuse at the facility including sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect. The site suggests survivors may be able to file lawsuits and that many have successfully won settlements.

Multiple settlements won by survivors at JRI Marlborough

The search results indicate that many survivors have successfully won settlements related to Justice Resource Institute Marlborough. However, specific details about the nature of incidents, amounts, or timeframes are not provided in these search results.

Youth Opportunities Upheld Worcester abuse survivors settlements

Multiple survivors of abuse at Youth Opportunities Upheld Worcester have successfully won settlements according to legal resources. The facility has been associated with abuse claims that resulted in compensation for victims.

RFK Childrens Action Corps Lancaster Abuse Claims

Legal website indicates potential abuse cases at RFK Childrens Action Corps Lancaster facility. The site mentions various types of abuse including sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect that may qualify for lawsuits.

Survivors successfully obtain settlements from Youth Opportunities Upheld Worcester

Many survivors have successfully won settlements from Youth Opportunities Upheld Worcester, a juvenile detention facility in Worcester, Massachusetts. The settlements appear to be related to abuse incidents at the facility.

Multiple abuse survivors win settlements at Youth Opportunities Upheld Worcester

Multiple survivors of abuse at Youth Opportunities Upheld Worcester have successfully won settlements according to legal resources. The facility has been subject to legal action regarding abuse incidents.

settlement2014Key Program Inc →

Key Program settlement with former employees

Key Program Inc. proposed a $430,000 payment to settle a lawsuit filed by former employees from Springfield and Chicopee. The settlement was reported by MassLive in 2014.

Settlement: $0.43M

Mitchell v. New England Home for Little Wanderers

Stephanie Mitchell brought an action against her former employer, New England Home for Little Wanderers, and individual defendants. The case appears to be employment-related.

Sylvander v. New England Home for Little Wanderers

Gail Sylvander filed a lawsuit for herself and on behalf of her natural son, Michael J. Sylvander against the New England Home for Little Wanderers. The case involved federal habeas corpus jurisdiction issues related to child custody.

Baby Doe Settlement

A settlement was reached involving Baby Doe at New England Home for Little Wanderers. The settlement was reported by MassLive in 2014.

Settlement: $0.43M

Baby Doe - Maternal Deprivation Diagnosis

In 1962, a child at the New England Home for Little Wanderers was diagnosed as suffering from 'maternal deprivation' while in the institution's care. This suggests potential neglect or inadequate care provided to children at the facility.

Massachusetts Detention News

Recent news and reports about juvenile detention facilities in Massachusetts.

abcnews9/16/2026

Ex-youth detention center counselor faces sex assault trial in New Hampshire

# Ex-youth detention center counselor faces sex assault trial in New Hampshire A sexual assault trial is getting underway in New Hampshire for a man whose arrest more than seven years ago kicked off one of the biggest youth detention scandals in U.S. history ByHOLLY RAMER Associated Press September 14, 2026, 10:29 AM Former youth counselor Jeffrey Buskey, 60, of Litchfield, faces allegations involving four boys held at the Youth Development Center in Manchester in the late 1990s. In the first of his cases to go to trial, he is charged with 21 counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault involving David Meehan, who was 14 when he arrived at the facility now called the Sununu Youth Services Center in 1995. Meehan filed the first of [more than 1,100 lawsuits](https://apnews.com/article/new-hampshire-youth-center-abuse-bc8c4f89ec90e61cd1eb4356d2e1c731) alleging physical, sexual or emotional abuse spanning six decades. During his [civil trial](https://apnews.com/article/new-hampshire-youth-detention-center-abuse-lawsuit-f74f276f78f59c953f3c6b7e1fa68d55), Meehan described Buskey's transformation from trusted father figure to horrific abuser, testifying that he gave him soda and snacks and let him play basketball with a local high school team before subjecting him to near daily rapes. “It went from being somebody I trusted, that I thought was not just there to help me, but somebody I thought cared for me, to hurt,” he said. [![](https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/c72500c6-eae2-4ba6-90e3-aaeb3b7dc2ce/Trump-Ireland-DB-260913_1789310366872_hpMain_square.jpg?w=208)\ \ \ [![](https://i.abcnewsfe.com/a/e0947649-83cd-425d-8e8f-cc1aa0232991/tasia-miss_1789169152759_hpMain_square.jpg?w=208)\ \ **Man arrested in death of woman found hanging from tree in Mississippi**\ \ He denied abusing him, saying they had a “great relationship.” John H. Sununu. Charges were dropped against Trevor Middleton; Frank Davis was declared incompetent to stand trial, and [Gordon Searles](https://apnews.com/article/new-hampshire-youth-center-abuse-b13ee4a0b1b58755fcdc955b1173c973) died while awaiting trial. [Stephen Murphy](https://apnews.com/article/new-hampshire-youth-center-abuse-228f08787ca65cee3d87a32941c6eda8), who has pending charges, had one trial end in mistrial and another end with an acquittal on three charges and a hung jury on five others. [Lucien Poulette](https://apnews.com/article/arrests-manchester-new-hampshire-00008d1a4d96abcd8c0b9c8a4b2d7c7a) is awaiting trial. ![ABC News](https://s.abcnews.com/assets/dtci/icomoon/svg/logo.svg) ## Sponsored Content by Taboola \ \ \ \

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the statute of limitations for juvenile detention abuse in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations is 35 years from age 18 for childhood sexual abuse. However, recent laws in many states have extended or eliminated time limits for childhood abuse cases. Contact us for a free consultation to understand your specific situation.

How much does it cost to file a lawsuit against a Massachusetts juvenile detention facility?

Most attorneys handle juvenile detention abuse cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and only pay if you win. Legal fees typically come from the settlement or verdict amount.

Can I sue even if the abuse happened years ago?

Yes, many states including Massachusetts have extended or created lookback windows for childhood abuse cases. Even if the statute of limitations has passed, recent legal changes may allow your case to proceed. Contact us for a free evaluation.

What types of abuse qualify for a lawsuit?

Physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, medical neglect, excessive force, solitary confinement abuse, and failure to protect from harm can all be grounds for legal action. If you suffered any form of mistreatment in a Massachusetts detention facility, you may have a case.

How much compensation can I receive?

Settlement amounts vary based on the severity of abuse, lasting impacts, and other factors. Victims in Massachusetts have received over $0.9 million in documented settlements. Contact us for a free case evaluation.

Take the First Step Today

If you or a loved one experienced abuse in a Massachusetts juvenile detention facility, you deserve justice. Our experienced attorneys are ready to fight for you.

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