Lawsuit Information Center
For years, Maryville Academy in Des Plaines, Illinois, was presented as a safe haven for vulnerable children—a place where at-risk youth could receive care, education, and spiritual guidance. However, survivors have now come forward to expose a darker reality—one of institutional betrayal, systemic sexual abuse, and a pattern of misconduct that spanned decades.
The Maryville Academy scandal is not just about individual acts of abuse; it is about an entire institution that enabled and protected abusers while failing to protect the children in its care. Recent revelations indicate that multiple priests and administrators associated with Maryville Academy engaged in sexual misconduct, with allegations reaching as far back as the 1980s.
New Allegations: Maryville Academy’s Pattern of Abuse & Cover-ups
Reports have identified Reverend David Ryan as one of the clergy members accused of sexually abusing children at Maryville Academy. Ryan, who was appointed as Executive Director in 2003, is accused of abusing minors while serving at the institution between 1985 and 2003.
The Chicago Diocese has launched an investigation, and Cardinal Blasé Cupich has ordered Ryan to step away from the church during the process. However, many survivors argue that the Church has long been aware of abuse at Maryville and has done little to protect victims or hold perpetrators accountable.
Ryan is not the only figure associated with Maryville Academy’s scandal. Another former Executive Director, Reverend John P. Smyth, has also been accused of abusing minors during his tenure at the facility. Smyth, who held an influential position at Maryville for decades, was removed from the Church before his death in 2019. Despite his passing, investigations into his alleged sexual misconduct remain ongoing.
The Maryville Academy lawsuit is one of many cases involving Catholic Church-run youth facilities, where the systemic failures of religious institutions have led to widespread abuse.
Timeline of the Maryville Academy Scandal
1883
Maryville Academy Founded
Maryville Academy is established in Des Plaines, Illinois, as a Catholic-operated institution for at-risk youth. Over the decades, it gains a reputation for housing children with complex mental health and emotional issues, often serving as a last-resort placement for those with nowhere else to go.
September 2002
Chicago Sun-Times Exposes Unsafe Conditions
An investigative report by the Chicago Sun-Times reveals that Maryville Academy is unsafe for children, raising concerns about institutional failures, staff misconduct, and overall lack of oversight.
2003
Rev. David Ryan Becomes Executive Director
Despite growing concerns about the institution’s safety, Rev. David Ryan is appointed as Executive Director of Maryville Academy.
May 2019
Announcement of Maryville Academy Closure
Officials announce that Maryville Academy will be closed down, citing concerns over its ability to properly care for children and longstanding allegations of abuse and neglect.
September 2019
Survivor Clarence George Comes Forward
Former resident Clarence George bravely shares his harrowing experience at Maryville Academy publically. He describes in horrifying detail how, after being sexually assaulted, a staff member dismissed his cries for help. His account reinforces widespread claims of sex abuse and systemic failure at the facility.
September 2019
Lawsuit Filed Against Rev. John Smyth
A lawsuit is filed against the late Rev. John P. Smyth, who led Maryville Academy for decades. The lawsuit accuses Smyth of sexually abusing multiple children under his care, including allegations of oral and penetrative abuse. Survivors, including Clarence George, state that Smyth manipulated victims by allowing them to go home on weekends in exchange for enduring repeated abuse.
January 2021
Archdiocese Settles with Four Survivors
The Archdiocese of Chicago settles with four individuals who accused Rev. John Smyth of sexual abuse, each receiving six-figure settlements. Despite these settlements, no public acknowledgment or formal admission of wrongdoing is made by Church officials.
January 2021
Victims Speak Out About Systemic Abuse
Survivors of Maryville Academy appear in media reports, detailing decades of unchecked abuse. These stories reveal a widespread pattern of abuse and cover-ups, confirming that sexual misconduct at Maryville Academy remained hidden for years.
2024 – 2025
Investigations and Lawsuits Continue
As new allegations emerge, law enforcement, the Archdiocese, and civil attorneys continue to investigate the Maryville Academy scandal. Survivors and advocacy groups push for greater accountability, arguing that the Catholic Church failed to protect the vulnerable children entrusted to its care.
How Did Abuse at Maryville Academy Continue for So Long?
The Maryville Academy scandal follows a disturbing trend seen across Catholic-run facilities, where powerful clergy members used their positions of authority to prey on vulnerable children. Survivors and advocacy groups point to several failures that allowed abuse to persist unchecked:
1. A Culture of Silence and Intimidation
Many survivors of abuse at Maryville Academy have described an environment where victims were discouraged from speaking out. Clergy members and staff used intimidation tactics, and some children who reported abuse were ignored, punished, or further mistreated.
2. Lack of Oversight and Accountability
The Catholic Church has a long history of shielding abusers from criminal prosecution, and Maryville Academy appears to be no exception. Instead of removing accused priests and reporting them to law enforcement, the Church often relocated them to other positions of authority, allowing them to continue harming children.
3. Systemic Institutional Failures
From the 1980s through the early 2000s, Maryville Academy operated with minimal external oversight, despite repeated complaints of abuse and misconduct. It is crazy how this kind of thing can continue to go on even after everyone identifies the problem. The failure of government agencies, law enforcement, and Church leadership to intervene enabled predators to act with impunity.
These institutional failures have resulted in lifelong trauma for survivors—many of whom are only now finding the courage to come forward.
Ongoing Investigations & Legal Action Against Maryville Academy
In the wake of new allegations, multiple investigations into Maryville Academy and its clergy members are now underway. These include:
- The Chicago Diocese’s internal investigation into the misconduct of Rev. David Ryan and other clergy members associated with Maryville Academy.
- A criminal investigation by the Des Plaines Police Department into the allegations against John P. Smyth and other individuals accused of abuse.
- A broader review by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services into historical abuse cases at Church-operated facilities.
While these investigations may result in criminal charges, survivors also have the right to seek justice through civil lawsuits.
Maryville Academy Scandal – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Maryville Academy scandal?
Who were the clergy members accused of abuse at Maryville Academy?
Several priests and administrators associated with Maryville Academy have been accused of sexually abusing minors, including:
– Reverend John P. Smyth, a former executive director, accused of sexually abusing boys under his care.
– Reverend David Ryan, accused of sexual misconduct between 1985 and 2003, when he served at Maryville Academy.
How long did the abuse at Maryville Academy go on?
When did concerns about Maryville Academy’s safety first arise?
Was Maryville Academy shut down due to the scandal?
What legal action has been taken against Maryville Academy?
Survivors have filed multiple lawsuits against Maryville Academy, the Archdiocese of Chicago, and former clergy members, including:
– September 2019: A lawsuit was filed against Rev. John P. Smyth, accusing him of sexually abusing multiple children at the facility.
– January 2021: The Archdiocese of Chicago settled with four survivors, each receiving large sex abuse settlements.
Is there an ongoing investigation into Maryville Academy?
Yes. Investigations are still active, including:
– The Chicago Diocese’s internal investigation into clergy misconduct.
– A criminal investigation by the Des Plaines Police Department into allegations against Rev. Smyth. He is deceased but clearly other staff members knew and did nothing.
– A broader review by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services into historical abuse cases at Catholic Church-run facilities.
Can survivors of Maryville Academy abuse still file lawsuits?
What kind of compensation can survivors receive?
Survivors may be entitled to financial compensation for:
✔ Therapy and mental health treatment
✔ Medical care and rehabilitation
✔ Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
✔ Pain and suffering from emotional trauma
✔ Punitive damages against those responsible
Legal Options for Survivors of Maryville Academy Abuse
For survivors of sexual abuse at Maryville Academy, legal action can provide a path to justice and accountability. Filing a civil lawsuit against the institution and the Catholic Church can result in compensation for:
✔ Therapy and mental health treatment
✔ Medical care and rehabilitation
✔ Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
✔ Pain and suffering from emotional trauma
✔ Punitive damages against those responsible
Many survivors have suffered in silence for decades, believing they had no legal recourse. However, new laws in Illinois have expanded the rights of abuse survivors, allowing them to pursue claims even if the abuse occurred years ago.
It is not too late to seek justice. If you are considering bringing a sexual abuse lawsuit against Maryville Academy, contact our sex abuse attorneys today for free consultation. We want to help you. Reach out to us online or call 800-553-8082.