Mercer County, NJ - Former Legacy Treatment Services Aide Elijah P. Williams Accused of Sexually Assaulting Teen Girl

Former Health Aide Charged For Sexually Assaulting Teen in His Care

A home health aide who used to work for Legacy Treatment Services has been charged with sexually assaulting a teen girl under his supervision while working as a residential counselor at one of the company’s locations in Mercer County.

26-year-old Elijah P. Williams has been indicted on charges of first-degree aggravated sexual assault on a victim older than 13 and younger than 16, second-degree sexual assault, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Police say the victim was a girl at one of Legacy Treatment Centers’ teen group homes.

Robbinsville Police arrested Williams on October 26. On November 27, he agreed to a temporary suspension of his certification as a homemaker-home health aide (CHHA) by the State Board of Nursing until the outcome of the criminal charges against him is final.

The alleged sexual assaults took place between November 11, 2017, and December 24, 2017, while Williams had a legal duty for the care of the victim. However, the assaults did not occur while Williams was on the clock.

Another teen resident of the group home has accused Williams of sexually harassing her several times.

Anyone else who has been victimized by Williams or has information about this case has been encouraged to contact the Board of Nursing at 973-504-6430.

Legal Recourse for Victims of Sexual Assault by Authority Figures

With a background as a sex crimes prosecutor and a current specialization in representing sexual assault survivors in civil court, Guy D'Andrea understands first-hand how both sides of the justice system can help survivors. We’ve asked him for some insight into filing a sexual assault lawsuit as the survivor of an assault committed by someone in a position of authority:

Tragically, many cases of sexual abuse involve abusers who are in positions of authority over vulnerable victims, such as group home staff, teachers, coaches, and religious leaders. In cases involving group home members, the perpetrator may be someone tasked with the care of their victim. When this happens, it’s crucial that the perpetrator is removed from their position and prosecuted, that the victim gets all of the support they need, and that the perpetrator’s employer is held accountable if their negligence enabled the abuse to occur.

In cases involving negligence on the part of the perpetrator’s employer, the victims may have grounds to file a lawsuit. For example, a group home could be considered negligent for failing to report suspected sexual abuse to law enforcement.

If you or a loved one has been sexually abused by someone in a position of authority, you have legal rights. You can learn more about your options for justice by speaking to an experienced sexual abuse survivors attorney.