Lawsuit alleges sexual abuse at Everett juvenile detention centers

EVERETT — A Seattle law firm filed a federal lawsuit Thursday on behalf of eight formerly incarcerated minors alleging systemic sexual abuse, rape and degradation at Denney Youth Center and Denney Juvenile Justice Center in Everett.

Lawyers from Hagens Berman filed the complaint in the U.S. District Court in Seattle against Snohomish County and up to 20 unnamed individuals who are alleged to be responsible, according to a press release. The complaint alleges jailhouse guards and staff members repeatedly sexually abused the minors in their care, with victims as young as 10 years old.

“Our community should be shocked and appalled at what the county of Snohomish allowed to happen under its care and supervision,” said Steve Berman, Hagens Berman’s founder and managing partner, in the release. “Snohomish County had an obligation to protect those in its custody, including youth in detention, and we cannot imagine a more shameful failure of that duty.”

The lawsuit claims the county violated state negligence laws and federal law, including Monell claims, which pertain to the county’s maintenance and implementation of unconstitutional policies, practices and customs by sexually abusing inmates, failing to screen or train staff members, under staffing and other safety and human rights issues, the release said.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/lawsuit-alleges-sexual-abuse-at-everett-juvenile-detention-centers/