DJS Abuse Scandal: 60+ Men Report Sexual Assault at Baltimore Juvenile Center

A shocking scandal at Maryland’s Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) facility has come to light as more than 60 men recently stepped forward with allegations of childhood sexual abuse. After decades of silence, these survivors have filed a joint lawsuit alleging systematic abuse that spanned three decades at the juvenile detention center.

The lawsuit represents one of the largest sexual abuse scandals in Maryland’s history, with allegations dating back to the 1970s. The victims’ testimonies paint a disturbing picture of institutional abuse and exploitation by those entrusted with protecting vulnerable youth. This landmark lawsuit has exposed deep-rooted problems within the juvenile justice system, prompting calls for comprehensive reform and accountability.

Lawsuit Reveals Decades of Abuse at Baltimore Detention Facility

Sixty-nine men have filed a lawsuit against the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, alleging systematic sexual abuse at the Charles H. Hickey Jr. School, a youth detention facility in Baltimore County. The plaintiffs, who remain anonymous in the complaint, allege years of abuse at the hands of Ronald Neverdon, a former DJS staff member who held various positions at the detention facility. Neverdon served as unit manager and housing supervisor from the mid-1960s to mid-1990s, and records show he also worked as a substitute teacher in Baltimore as recently as 2020.

The scope of allegations against a single staff member is stunning. The lawsuit against the Maryland DJS represents part of a larger wave of claims filed since the state of Maryland eliminated time limits for child sexual abuse lawsuits. Subsequently, approximately 3,500 people have filed lawsuits against the state of Maryland since October 2023, seeking to hold responsible parties accountable regardless of when the alleged abuse occurred.

Allegations of Manipulation, Exploitation

The victims bringing the legal claim, now ranging from their 30s to 60s, describe a calculated pattern of exploitation. According to court documents, Neverdon used his authority to manipulate vulnerable youth through a system of rewards and coercion. The lawsuit details how he allegedly bribed detainees with money and drugs before subjecting them to sexual abuse.

The impact of this alleged abuse continues to affect survivors decades later. Many plaintiffs report ongoing psychological trauma and difficulty moving forward with their lives. The lawsuit states that the men “still endure the consequences of his abuse” and “remain trapped in the past” as a result of Neverdon’s alleged misconduct. 

The Rise of Juvenile Detention Sex Abuse Lawsuits

This lawsuit emerges as part of a broader pattern of abuse within Maryland’s juvenile detention system. Since the passage of the Child Victims Act in 2023, more than 200 survivors have come forward with allegations of abuse across the state’s juvenile facilities. A separate lawsuit representing 63 plaintiffs exposed widespread abuse at 15 different detention centers, with allegations spanning from 1969 to 2017.

Department of Justice investigations have previously highlighted serious concerns within these facilities. In 2004, an investigation of Cheltenham Youth Facility and the Charles H. Hickey, Jr. School uncovered “inappropriate staff-youth relationships” involving children as young as 14. Furthermore, a 2009 DOJ report revealed that more than one-third of youth at Blackbone Mountain Youth Center reported forceful sexual abuse by staff members.

Claims of “Systemic Failures” Within Juvenile Detention Systems

The current lawsuit specifically identifies the Hickey school as a “hotbed of sexual abuse” where administrators consistently ignored warning signs of inappropriate behavior. Many victims state that they reported the abuse at the time, yet facility administrators took no action to address their complaints. The extensive timespan of allegations and the number of affected facilities suggest these incidents were not isolated but rather indicative of systemic failures within Maryland’s juvenile justice system.