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In a disturbing turn of events, the Green Hill School, Washington's maximum-security facility for young male offenders, has found itself at the center of a widening sex abuse scandal, according to King 5.
First, 32-year-old employee Angel M. Misner was charged with custodial sexual misconduct after allegedly having sex with a 21-year-old inmate, Robbrie Thompson. This was followed by the arrest of a second Green Hill employee, 29-year-old Emily N. Baker, who is accused of witness tampering and abuse of office, with suggestions that she, too, may have had a sexual relationship with the same young offender.
The allegations do not stop there. In February, administrators at the facility discovered nude photos of a former employee in a resident's cell, while in July, lawyers filed a tort claim alleging their client had videotaped sexual encounters with another staff member who is already incarcerated for inciting a fight among the young inmates.
Amid this damning string of revelations, KING 5 has uncovered a troubling history of sex abuse at the 131-year-old Green Hill facility. Public records show the state has paid a staggering $4,485,000 since 2018 to settle claims filed by 23 current or former Green Hill residents, with the sex abuse allegations dating back as far as 1978.
One former resident, Sam Hawkins of Renton, recounted his own experience of being abused by a security officer named Janae in 1991. "Essentially, she started to allow me extra privileges," Hawkins said. "As time went on, it turned into a sexual encounter."
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), which oversees the Green Hill facility, has acknowledged an "increase in the number of tort claims" following the implementation of a new law that eliminates the statute of limitations for child sex abuse claims. The agency has also stated that it has a "zero tolerance for all forms of sexual abuse" and encourages young people to report any such incidents.
However, the investigation has revealed a troubling pattern, with some employees accused of abuse allegedly being allowed to resign rather than facing criminal charges. In one case, a staff member, Erin Stiebritz Snodgrass, was convicted of a sex crime before marrying a former Green Hill resident with whom she had a sexual relationship.
The growing number of legal cases against Green Hill, combined with the testimony of former residents like Juwan, who claims he was punished for reporting a sexual relationship with a female security officer, paint a disturbing picture of an institution failing to protect the vulnerable youth in its care.
As the investigation continues, the authorities and the public alike must grapple with the urgent need to address the systemic issues at the Green Hill School and ensure the safety and well-being of the young people entrusted to its care.
As the disturbing allegations of sexual abuse at the Green Hill Youth Facility continue to unfold, the need for accountability and reform in troubling youth detention centers has never been more pressing. Experienced child sexual abuse lawyer Mike Pfau sheds light on the legal options available to victims and their families, and the critical steps that must be taken to drive systemic change to prevent sexual abuse within detention facilities.
Editor Darla Medina: What can be done to hold these facilities and oversight agencies accountable? How can victims ensure that systemic issues are addressed to prevent future abuses?
Attorney Mike Pfau: That's a great question. In cases like this, where there appears to be a pattern of abuse and a failure to properly investigate and address it, victims may also be able to take legal action against the broader institution and its governing bodies. This could include suing the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), which oversees the youth detention facility, for negligence in their oversight and failure to protect the young people in their care.
The goal would be to not only secure compensation for the victims, but to drive meaningful change - to force the facility and its administrators to implement robust safeguards, training, and accountability measures to ensure this never happens again. Shining a bright light on these systemic failures is crucial to effecting real reform.
DM: Thank you, for providing such valuable insights on this deeply troubling situation.
MP: You're very welcome, Darla. I'm hopeful that by speaking out and taking legal action, the victims of abuse can not only find some measure of justice, but also trigger the systemic reforms needed to prevent such abhorrent acts from ever occurring again in these types of facilities. It's a long and difficult road, but an absolutely essential one.
As the victims of abuse at the Green Hill Youth Facility continue their fight for justice, it's crucial that they have access to the right legal expertise and resources. If you or a loved one has been affected by the abuse at Green Hill or another youth detention facility, we urge you to reach out for a free, confidential consultation. Our team is dedicated to ensuring your voice is heard, your rights are protected, and the responsible parties are held fully accountable. Together, we can seek the justice you deserve and work towards the comprehensive reforms needed to prevent such abuses from ever happening again.
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