McDonogh School Sex Abuse Lawsuits

On this page, we will look at civil lawsuits involving sexual abuse of students at the McDonogh School. The McDonogh School, a prestigious private institution in Owings Mills, Maryland, has been the focus of multiple lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by former faculty members spanning several decades.

These McDonogh sex abuse lawsuits and possible because of the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023, which removed the statute of limitations for civil claims related to child sexual abuse, allowing survivors to seek justice regardless of when the abuse occurred.

About McDonogh School

McDonogh School is a prestigious private school outside of Baltimore serving grades K-12. McDonogh has around 1,500 students and employs 200 full-time faculty, some of whom live on-campus.

McDonogh was first founded back in 1873 and is widely regarded as one of the best private preparatory schools in the region. McDonogh was originally established as a military school for orphans who were required to work on the farm to pay for their tuition, room and board. It switched to a traditional private school model in the 1920s, although the military-style curriculum continued until the early 1970s.

Our school sex abuse lawyers are currently accepting cases involving sexual abuse at McDonogh School. Call us today at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.

Recent Lawsuits Filed Against McDonogh School

In March 2025, twelve former students filed a lawsuit against McDonogh School, alleging that the institution enabled sexual abuse during the 1970s and 1980s. The plaintiffs claim that former faculty members, including Dean of Students Alvin Levy and Spanish teacher Robert Creed, sexually abused them during their time at the school. The lawsuit also mentions allegations against two other faculty members, Bart Harrison and Josette McMillan. The plaintiffs argue that the school failed to take appropriate action despite being aware of the misconduct.

This lawsuit is part of a series of legal actions against McDonogh School under the Child Victims Act. In October 2024, another former student, referred to as John Doe 1, filed a lawsuit alleging abuse by Levy and Creed between 1974 and 1977.

Background of the Allegations

The allegations against McDonogh School are not new. In 2019, an independent investigation commissioned by the school revealed that five former faculty members had sexually abused more than 20 students between the 1940s and 1980s. The investigation found that the school administration at the time failed to act on reports of misconduct, allowing the abuse to continue.

Notably, both Levy and Creed had histories of alleged misconduct. Creed pleaded guilty to child sexual abuse in 1986, and Levy was indicted in 1991 but died before his trial. Despite these allegations, both individuals continued their employment at the school for extended periods.

McDonogh Faculty Named in Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Below is a list of the individual faculty members or administrators at McDonough that have been named in recent sexual abuse lawsuits.

• Alvin Levy: Former dean of students, accused of sexually abusing multiple students. Levy was indicted on sexual abuse charges in 1991 but died before trial.
• Robert Creed: Former Spanish teacher, pleaded guilty to child sexual abuse in 1986.
• Bart Harrison and Josette McMillan: Two additional faculty members recently named in lawsuits alleging sexual abuse during their tenure.

School’s Response and Current Measures

In response to these allegations, the McDonogh School has tried to do the right things. The school has expressed its commitment to fostering a community where students and adults feel comfortable identifying and reporting sexual abuse. The school has stated that it takes all allegations seriously and remains steadfast in its support for survivors while complying with all applicable laws.

The school has also implemented measures to prevent future incidents, including mandatory training for staff on appropriate interactions with students, recognizing signs of abuse, and understanding mandatory reporting obligations. Additionally, the school has established a Risk Oversight Committee to monitor and strengthen its policies and procedures related to student safety

So all that is good and McDonough should be applauded for their response. But the school also needs to settle these sexual abuse lawsuits to give victims justice and closure.  .

Legal Rights of Sexual Abuse Victims in Schools

Anyone who has experienced sexual assault or abuse at school has the right to file a civil lawsuit against the school. The victim of the abuse is the primary plaintiff, but in some cases, a spouse may also file a separate claim for loss of companionship (also known as loss of consortium).

If a teacher or another student committed the abuse, the school may be held legally responsible for negligently failing to protect the victim. Even if a school employee or student did not directly commit the abuse, the school can still be liable if the incident occurred on school grounds or during a school-related activity.

What Constitutes Sexual Abuse or Assault?

Legally, sexual abuse or assault is broadly defined as any non-consensual sexual touching. This includes a wide range of acts, from inappropriate groping to forcible rape. Two key elements must be present for an act to be classified as sexual abuse:

1. Sexual Intent – The act must be done intentionally for sexual gratification or arousal. If physical contact occurs accidentally (e.g., in a crowded space), it does not qualify as sexual abuse.
2. Lack of Consent – Anyone under the age of 18 cannot legally consent to sexual touching. Any sexual contact involving a minor is automatically considered sexual abuse, regardless of circumstances.

Holding Schools Accountable for Sexual Abuse

In any sexual abuse case, the victim has the right to sue the individual abuser. However, pursuing legal action against the perpetrator alone is often ineffective, as they may lack the financial resources to pay a settlement or court judgment.

When abuse occurs at a school, victims may have the option to file a civil lawsuit against the school itself. Schools typically have insurance coverage and financial resources to compensate victims, making them more viable defendants in school sexual abuse lawsuits.

Legal Claims for School Sexual Abuse

Schools can be legally responsible for abuse under several negligence theories, including:

• Negligent Hiring or Retention – If a teacher or staff member commits abuse, the school may be liable for negligently hiring or retaining the employee despite warning signs.

Example:

Jane, a student at Acme Private School, was sexually abused by her guidance counselor, John. During John’s 10-year tenure, at least two prior complaints were made about his inappropriate conduct with female students. The school failed to investigate these reports, allowing John to remain employed. Jane can file a sexual abuse lawsuit against both John and Acme Private School for failing to take action.

• Negligent Security – If another student commits the abuse, the school can be held responsible for failing to provide adequate protection. Schools may also be liable for sexual abuse that occurs on school grounds due to inadequate security measures.

By holding schools accountable, victims can seek justice and compensation for the harm they have endured.

Settlement Value of McDonogh School Sex Abuse Lawsuits

The settlement value of school sex abuse lawsuits will depend on a variety of factors, which tend to be very case-specific. Some of the relevant factors driving the settlement value of school sex abuse cases include:

Nature of the Abuse: The nature, severity, and duration of the acts of sexual abuse or assault will be a significant factor in how much the case is worth. A single inappropriate touching will be worth far less than a case involving forcible rape on multiple occasions.

School Liability: The case will have a higher settlement value if you have a good theory of liability against the school. For example, if a teacher commits abuse on school grounds, and the school has prior complaints about the teacher, the case will have a higher value.

Evidence: If the plaintiff has evidence to support their allegations of abuse, such as witness testimony or documentation like medical records, it will strengthen the case and make it worth more.

Contact Us About McDonogh School Sex Abuse Lawsuits

If you were sexually abused at McDonogh School, you may be able to file a lawsuit and get compensation. Contact us online or call us at 800-553-8082.