The healthcare system in the United States includes many types of facilities. One category that plays a vital role in public health is residential treatment centers. These facilities typically provide inpatient and outpatient programs for vulnerable populations, such as those struggling with mental health issues, addiction, or behavioral challenges.
Residential treatment centers must provide quality care while protecting patients from harm. Professional standards require proper safety protocols and adherence to established treatment guidelines. When facilities fail to meet these obligations, patients can suffer various forms of abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse.
If you have suffered at this type of facility, our legal team can help you seek compensation for negligence, abuse, or harm. The Illinois residential treatment center abuse lawyers at Injury Lawyer Team can help current and former residential treatment center patients understand their rights and pursue legal action.
Table of Contents
About Rock River Academy
Rock River Academy in Illinois provided residential treatment services for adolescents with behavioral and emotional challenges. This facility focused on therapeutic care and educational support in a structured environment.
Overview
Rock River Academy and Residential Center was a treatment facility in Rockford, Illinois. It voluntarily closed down in 2016 after it was discovered that abuse and neglect were rampant among the staff. The facility was located at 3445 Elmwood Road, Rockford, IL, and could house up to 59 girls and young women at once.
The center was a residential treatment center for youths with behavioral health issues, including emotional disorders, survivors of abuse, and more. Residents at Rock River Academy and Residential Center were supposed to be kept safe within the walls of the facility. Still, the staff failed them over and over again, with dozens of claims of abuse and neglect.
Ownership and Affiliations
Before Rock River Academy closed in 2016, it was overseen by Universal Health Services, Inc., a healthcare network that is one of the largest providers in the country. This company manages 333 behavioral health inpatient facilities and other institutions, making UHS responsible for the actions of roughly 96,700 employees nationwide.
In addition to Rock River Academy, United Health Services oversees several residential treatment centers in the Midwest, including:
Hartgrove Hospital (Chicago, IL)
Forest View Hospital (Grand Rapids, MI)
Cedar Creek Hospital (Saint Johns, MI)
Havenwyck Hospital (Auburn Hills, MI)
The Pavilion Behavioral Health System (Champaign, IL)
Notable Legal Actions Against Rock River Academy
The list of allegations and lawsuits against Rock River Academy and Residential Center is extensive. There have been dozens of cases levied against this institution, many of which involved sexual abuse, drugs, and alleged physical abuse. As a result of these cases, Rock River Academy shut down voluntarily in 2016.
Here are a few of the notable legal actions involving Rock River Academy and Residential Center before it shut down.
Chicago Tribune Investigation Uncovers Years of Rampant Sexual Abuse Allegations
Let’s start with the event that led to Rock River Academy shutting down. The Chicago Tribune conducted a deep investigation into this facility after some allegations of abuse and neglect came to light.
The report from this investigation stated that for four years, over 700 reports were made to the Rockford Police Department about girls at the facility suffering from rape, sexual assault, and even sex trafficking. Some of the cases even involved staff members giving psychotropic drugs to the girls so they could be easily manipulated.
Unfortunately, the report also alluded to at least two dozen instances of girls being lured into a sex trafficking network and engaging in prostitution. The lives of these women and others who suffered due to abuse or neglect at Rock River Academy have been forever changed due to the staff’s failure to protect them [1].
Five Plaintiffs File a Civil Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Abuse and Rape By Staff Members
In September 2015, five plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against Rock River Academy and Residential Center. With the help of Rockford sexual abuse lawyers, the girls accused staff members of engaging in acts of sexual abuse, including rape, of patients at the center.
One of the girls involved in the lawsuit claimed that staff would administer psychotropic drugs to her to make her easier to manipulate. She would be put into a semi-conscious state while being abused.
Further, the Chicago Tribune’s investigation determined that the use of these drugs and physical restraints was far higher at Rock River Academy than at any other facility in Illinois [2].
Multiple Female Victims Come Forward About Physical, Emotional, and Sexual Abuse
The issues at Rock River Academy and Residential Center were deeply rooted in the institution. The facility could only house up to 59 girls at once, and yet there are numerous allegations of ongoing abuse and neglect.
Fayshawn Petty, who was 15 at the time she was admitted to the facility, made consistent calls to her parents and DCFS caseworker, stating that she was being abused and needed to get out. Petty also claimed that she was regularly assaulted physically by other residents, and staff members would not take action to stop the fights.
Additionally, staff members regularly had sex with vulnerable patients, often trading items like snacks and cigarettes in exchange.
Darnella Campbell was 16 years old when her mother died. Soon after, she was admitted to Rock River Academy. Campbell was one of a few patients allowed to attend nearby Auburn High School.
She stated that many girls, in a bid to escape Rock River Academy because of the poor conditions, turned to prostitution at the school to make money for their escape. The lives of these youths were turned completely upside down because the staff failed to protect them and provide mental health treatment [3].
Cycle of Sexual Exploitation and Prostitution at Rock River Academy
Numerous youths at this academy became embroiled in sexual exploitation schemes and prostitution. One young woman, Mary Bohanan, became engaged in prostitution during her time at Rock River Academy. She often ran away from the facility and did what she could to survive on the streets.
In many cases, patients at this facility revealed that experienced residents would introduce new girls to pimps, and the cycle of sexual exploitation would begin. Rock River Academy’s failure to support these young women, protect them from harm, and make a positive impact led to many similar abuse cases, eventually causing the place to be shut down [4].
Understanding Your Rights
Abuse victims have the right to pursue compensation for legal damages and hold the at-fault party accountable for their suffering. The residential treatment facility abuse attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team can work with you to find a legal solution if you have suffered abuse, neglect, or harm at a residential treatment center like Rock River Academy.
Working with a lawyer experienced in a particular type of case can benefit your claim. For example, sexual abuse survivors should consider law firms that have helped other victims secure compensation. Our legal team has extensive experience handling many cases of abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse, medical malpractice, negligence, and emotional abuse.
You should also consider the impact that Illinois’ statute of limitations may have on your case. Though there is no statute for criminal sexual abuse, most personal injury civil cases have a two-year limit from the date of the incident.
Secure Expert Legal Representation!
An experienced attorney can make all the difference in your abuse or neglect claim. Residential treatment centers like Rock River Academy often fail to meet professional standards, putting the lives of youths and adults at risk.
Injury Lawyer Team will guide you through the legal process and increase your chances of claiming compensation. Legal damages in this type of case may include lost income, medical bills, future medical costs, emotional distress, physical pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
We offer a free initial consultation, during which you can ask questions about your case and the claims process and make a more informed decision. Additionally, our law firm works on a contingency fee basis.
With this payment structure, you pay no upfront fees to secure the services of a lawyer. We only get paid out of the settlement if we recover compensation on your behalf.
If you need to hold a residential treatment center accountable for mistreating you, our team can help. Call us today at 866-757-6452 or complete the online form to request a free case evaluation with a Rockford personal injury attorney.
References: [1] Chicago Tribune, [2] CCHR, [3] My Stateline, [4] Pulitzer
All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.
