Good Shepard Sex Abuse Lawsuit Settlements in Maryland

This page will look at recent sexual abuse lawsuits filed by former patients at the Good Shepard Services mental health treatment center for youth. Good Shepherd was , a now-closed facility in Halethorpe, Maryland, of sexual abuse. The lawsuits were filed under the new law CVA law in Maryland and they alleged that the state Department of Juvenile Services negligently failed to prevent young women from being sexually abused at Good Shepard.

Update: Maryland Supreme Court Upholds Child Victims Act

February 16, 2025

Historic Ruling on Child Sexual Abuse Cases: The Maryland Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Child Victims Act of 2023, removing any legal uncertainty about the state’s authority to eliminate time limits on civil sex abuse claims like the ones being brought by Good Shepard child sexual abuse survivors.

Defendants Cannot Hide Behind Deadlines: The court firmly rejected arguments that institutions have a “vested right” to avoid liability due to expired statutes of limitations. The ruling confirms that these deadlines are procedural, not substantive, and can be retroactively extended or removed by the legislature.

Recognizing Systemic Failures: In a strong rebuke of past inaction, the court wrote: “We live in a society with a disgraceful history of child sexual abuse committed by people in positions of trust: teachers, clergy, and others. Too often, the people in charge of the institutions that employed these predators turned a blind eye to the abuse or actively concealed it.” This statement highlights the urgent need for survivor-focused reforms.

Impact on Future Lawsuits: While this ruling primarily affects lawsuits against private institutions, claims against state-run juvenile detention centers were unlikely to be impacted. The ruling makes it unequivocally clear that Maryland has the authority to legislate its own liability policies and that procedural barriers should not stand in the way of justice.

Lawsuits Allege Sexual Abuse at Good Shepard Services

Two lawsuits filed on Tuesday assert that over three dozen individuals were subjected to childhood sexual abuse at a Maryland residential program for youths that ceased operations in 2017 amidst similar accusations. Attorneys in these separate legal actions outlined decades of alleged abuse at the Good Shepherd Services behavioral health treatment center, which presented itself as a therapeutic and supportive environment for Maryland’s most vulnerable youth.

Established in 1864 by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, a Catholic religious order dedicated to aiding women and girls, the program originally operated in Baltimore before relocating to its final site just outside the city. These latest lawsuits join a growing collection of sex abuse civil cases following Maryland’s removal of the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases last year.

Most of the female plaintiffs detailed experiences of being injected with sedatives that hindered their ability to resist abuse. Others described being bribed with food and gifts or threatened with violence and loss of privileges by their abusers, including nuns and priests employed at the center.

The lawsuits were directed against the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services and Department of Human Services, entities that contracted with Good Shepherd and referred children there for care. They also targeted the state Department of Health, responsible for overseeing residential facilities. Notably, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd religious order was not named as a defendant in either suit.

In a joint statement released Tuesday afternoon, the three state agencies acknowledged the lawsuits but noted they had not yet received the court papers. They affirmed their commitment to the safety and well-being of children under state care.

Good Shepherd closed in 2017 following state agencies’ decision to remove children from the program, prompted by a 2016 incident where one patient reported sexual assault and others showed signs of drug overdose after medication was stolen from a medical cart.

One plaintiff recounted confiding in a priest about abuse at the center during confession, only to be further victimized by the priest himself. This disclosure underscores broader concerns about clergy abuse, which played a role in recent legislative changes eliminating the statute of limitations for such cases.

Child Sexual Abuse Victims Can Now Get Compensation

Anyone who was the victim of childhood sexual abuse at Waxter or any other juvenile detention or correctional facility (state or private) can now file a civil lawsuit against that facility and get financial compensation. Under the new Maryland Child Victims Act which took effect in October 2023, civil lawsuits based on sexual abuse that occurred when the victim was a child (under age 18) are no longer subject to any statute of limitations. This means that child sex abuse victims can file lawsuits even for incidents that occurred decades ago.

How is Sexual Abuse Defined?

In the context of a civil lawsuit, sexual abuse or assault is often referred to as sexual battery. Under this definition, a wide range of acts (from groping a breast to violent rape) meets the definition of sex abuse. There are two key elements that must be present to meet the definition of sexual abuse. First, the contact or touching must intentionally done for the purpose of sexual gratification. The second essential element is the lack of consent. For intentional sexual touching to qualify as abuse or assault, it must be done without mutual consent. Legally, minors under the age of 18 cannot give consent to sexual touching. Any sexual contact with a minor by an adult is automatically considered sexual battery.

Holding State Agencies Liable for Juvenile Abuse

When a child is the victim of sexual abuse or assault at a juvenile facility or juvenile detention center run by the state, or by a private organization under a contract with the state, the facility, the contractor, and the responsible state agency can be held liable in a civil lawsuit for negligently failing to protect the victim or prevent the abuse from happening. When the sexual abuse at was committed by staff members at a facility, there is usually clear liability. Even when another inmate or juvenile commits the abuse or assault, the facility can still be held liable for failing to provide adequate protection.

Settlement Value of Good Shepherd Child Sex Abuse Cases

The settlement value of a Good Shepherd child sexual abuse lawsuit against the State of Maryland for negligently failing to prevent abuse by a third party, such as Good Shepherd, will depend on several key legal and factual factors. While venue and jurisdiction can play a role in shaping jury outcomes, the core value of a sex abuse case is determined by the strength of the claim itself, not just where it is filed.

Key Factors Influencing Settlement Value

Nature of the Abuse – The severity and duration of the sexual abuse or assault is the most significant driver of settlement value. Cases involving prolonged abuse, multiple perpetrators, or particularly egregious conduct tend to settle for higher amounts.
Corroborating Evidence – While a survivor’s testimony is always powerful, cases where there is independent evidence—such as medical records, eyewitness accounts, contemporaneous reports, or prior complaints against the abuser—have significantly higher settlement values. But, really, there will not be many cases like this. But those that do may get more compensation.
Liability and Negligence Theory – A strong negligence case against Good Shepherd or the state agencies that contracted with the facility increases the likelihood of a higher settlement. If the plaintiffs can show that state officials or the facility had prior warnings about the abuse and failed to act, liability is stronger, and settlement value increases.
Jurisdiction and Venue Considerations – While Halethorpe is in Baltimore County, plaintiffs often seek to file cases in Baltimore City, where juries have historically been more sympathetic to sex abuse survivors and awarded higher damages. But the good news is a strong sex abuse case is a strong case anywhere in Maryland—whether filed in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, or elsewhere. The severity of the abuse and the strength of the liability claim will drive value more than venue alone.
Damage Cap – Under the new Maryland Child Victims Act, survivors of child sexual abuse can pursue lawsuits even for long-past offenses. There is a cap of $1.5 million on non-economic damages in lawsuits against Good Shepherd (a private facility) if the claim was previously time-barred.

Ultimately, the Good Shepherd sex abuse lawsuits are poised to be high-value claims, with settlements reflecting the devastating harm suffered by survivors and the state’s failure to protect vulnerable children from abuse.

Contact Us About Sex Abuse Lawsuits

If you are thinking about bringing a sexual abuse lawsuit against a juvenile detention facility or program like Good Shepard, contact our sex abuse lawyers today for free consultation. Contact us online or call us at 800-553-8082.