Articles Posted in Sex Abuse

On this page, our New Jersey sex abuse lawyers will look at Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center sexual abuse lawsuits. Former juvenile inmates at Middlesex County JDC who were victims of sexual abuse at the facility are now filing civil lawsuits against the County.

Recent changes in New Jersey law have given victims or sexual abuse at juvenile facilities like Middlesex the ability to hold parties accountable and get compensation. Victims who bring a successful abuse lawsuit can get significant settlement payouts. If you have a potential case, contact our NJ sex abuse lawyers today at 800-553-8082 or get a free online consultation.

About Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center

The Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center (MCJDC) is secure juvenile detention facility located in North Brunswick, NJ.  MCJDC holds male and female juvenile inmates who are awaiting final adjudication on criminal charges but have been remanded to custody pending that determination.

MCJDC is operated by the Middlesex County Office of Adult Corrections & Youth Services under the supervision of a Warden and overseen by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners. MCJDC has become a regional juvenile detention center in recent years. Juvenile inmates from Somerset County, Monmouth County, and Mercer County are all sent to MCJDC for secure custody.

Sexual Abuse of Juveniles at OCJDC

Like most juvenile detention centers in New Jersey, MCJDC does not have a good reputation for treatment of its juvenile detainees. The New Jersey state juvenile detention facilities (operated by the NJ Juvenile Justice Commission “NJ JJC”) are some of the worst in the country in terms of treatment of inmates. MCJDC is operated at the county-level, and not by NJ JJC. In 2010, the United States Department of Justice issued a report finding that New Jersey has some of the highest rates of sexual abuse among juvenile detention facilities nationwide and that much of this abuse goes unreported.

This does not mean that MCJDC is immune from the systemic problems that have plagued the state facilities.  In fact, MCJDC is considered one of the worst county-level juvenile detention facilities in the state – as explained in more detail below.

Countless juvenile inmates have been sexually abused and exploited at MCJDC over the last several decades. In most cases, this abuse was perpetrated by the correctional officers and staff members at the facility who were supposed to be protecting the inmates.

These abusers exploited their positions of authority and their access to the juvenile inmates to force and coerce them into sexual acts that they were not legally capable of consenting to. As a result of the County’s failures, children suffered sexual abuse at the hands of guards and other staff members at MCJDC who were responsible for their care.

History of Child Sexual Abuse at MDJDC

Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center has a fairly long and well documented history of sexual abuse of juvenile inmates. In 2000, a civil lawsuit against Middlesex County alleged that it negligently failed to protect a 14-year-old juvenile inmate from sexual abuse perpetrated by a guard at MCJDC. In 2005, another guard at MCJDC faced criminal charges for sexual misconduct after he was accused of raping a high school student.

Most recently, in 2024 a lawsuit was filed on behalf of 6 former juvenile inmates at MCJDC. The lawsuit alleges that each of the juvenile inmates was sexually abused by correctional staff at MCJDC.

Negligent Oversight By Middlesex County

Correctional officers and other staff at MCJDC are frequently allowed unsupervised and unmonitored access to juvenile inmates in highly private and vulnerable situations, including during strip searches and while showering. This lack of oversight creates opportunities for abuse, enabling perpetrators to exploit detainees without fear of accountability. Staff members who engage in sexual abuse often manipulate juveniles through a mix of threats and incentives—coercing them into sexual acts by offering rewards for compliance and threatening retaliation for refusal.

One of the most serious and persistent failures at MCJDC, as well as in other juvenile detention centers, is the systemic neglect in responding to reports of sexual abuse. Instead of being taken seriously and thoroughly investigated, complaints about staff misconduct have frequently been ignored or deliberately suppressed.

Holding Middlesex County Liable in a Civil Lawsuit

Middlesex County has full control and authority over MCJDC. This means that Middlesex County had a legal duty to take serious steps to ensure that inmates at MCJDC are safe from sexual abuse and assault. That means not just watching out for inappropriate behavior from staff, but also making sure detainees are protected from each other. To do that, the county needed to put solid policies and procedures in place to prevent abuse from happening in the first place.

As outlined above, the County was chronically negligent with respect to this obligation. MCJDC failed to protect inmates in a number of ways, including not enough staff supervision, weak or missing policies, poor training, and a lack of real safety measures.

Because of this negligence, Middlesex County can be held liable in civil lawsuits brought by victims of abuse. People who were sexually abused while held at MCJDC might have the right to sue and seek compensation for the harm they went through due to the county’s failure to protect them.

Potential Settlement Value of OCJDC Sex Abuse Lawsuit

How much someone might get from a lawsuit against Middlesex County for sexual abuse at MCJDC really depends on a few important things:

Strength of the Evidence:
Even if the only evidence is the survivor’s testimony, that alone can be enough to establish a case of abuse. However, having additional support—such as witnesses, documentation, or evidence of a pattern of misconduct at the facility—can significantly strengthen the claim. It’s especially important to demonstrate that the facility or staff failed in their duty to protect detainees, whether through repeated safety lapses or a lack of preventive measures.

Severity of the Abuse:
The more serious the abuse and its impact on the survivor, the greater the potential for a higher settlement. Diagnoses of PTSD, depression, anxiety, or other emotional disorders often lead to increased compensation. Still, even without a formal diagnosis, survivors’ accounts carry weight. Expert witnesses can help explain the long-term psychological and emotional effects of the trauma.

Age of the Survivor:
Younger survivors may receive larger settlements because abuse at a young age can have profound and lasting impacts on development, education, relationships, and overall life trajectory.

You Don’t Need to Name Your Abuser to Take Legal Action

Many survivors of sexual abuse at juvenile facilities like MCJDC worry that they can’t come forward unless they can identify the abuser by name. That’s not true. It is entirely possible to file a civil lawsuit without knowing the abuser’s name. Most survivors can only recall general details, such as the abuser’s physical description or aspects of the situation—and that is sufficient to begin the legal process.

Once a case is filed, your legal team can use discovery tools to uncover critical information, such as staff schedules, surveillance footage, and internal records, to identify the person responsible.

That said, if you do know the name of the abuser, it can make the case stronger—especially if that individual has a known history of abuse, prior complaints, or criminal charges. Evidence of a pattern can be powerful in showing that the facility failed to protect you.

Contact Us About MCJDC Sex Abuse Lawsuits

We are accepting Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Center sex abuse lawsuits. Call us at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.

This page will look at Morris County Juvenile Detention Center sex abuse lawsuits. We will explain how former juvenile inmates at Morris County JDC who were sexually abused can now bring civil lawsuits and get financial compensation.

Our New Jersey sexual abuse attorneys are investigating juvenile detention center sex abuse cases across the state. If you were the victim of sexual abuse or assault at a New Jersey juvenile detention center, call us today at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.

About Morris County Juvenile Detention Center

The Morris County Juvenile Detention Center (MCJDC), located at 460 West Hanover Avenue in Morris Township, New Jersey, is a secure facility dedicated to providing short-term care and custody for juveniles aged 12 to 18.

MDJDC is a regional juvenile facility serving multiple counties in the area. MCJDC houses juvenile inmates from Morris, Sussex, Hunterdon, and Warren counties through shared services agreements. The center accommodates juveniles who are accused or adjudicated, pending court action, or awaiting transfer to another facility, and who cannot be served in an open setting.

Inmates at MCJDC are houses in barrack style housing units, and share common facilities for recreation and education. Residents participate in a full-year education program comprising five marking periods totaling over 230 days of instruction per year. Regardless of their educational status, all residents receive four hours of direct instruction every day.

Sussex County JDC (Closed)

Sussex County Juvenile Detention Center was a short-term juvenile facility in Sussex County similar to MDJDC. In 2009, Sussex County JDC closed permanently. Now MDJDC houses all juvenile inmates that would have previously gone to Sussex County JDC.

Sexual Abuse of Inmates MDJDC

New Jersey’s juvenile detention centers don’t have the best track record—they’re actually known for being some of the worst in the country when it comes to neglect and abuse. Most of the issues have come out of the state-run facilities, which are overseen by the New Jersey Juvenile Justice Commission. The Morris County JDC is a bit different since it’s run by the county, not the state—but that doesn’t mean inmates at MDJDC are not victimized.

In 2017, a female correctional officer at MCJDC was criminally prosecuted for physically abusing a female juvenile inmate at the facility. The officer admitted in court that she punched and kicked a juvenile inmate while that inmate was handcuffed to the floor. That inmate late brought a civil suit against Morris County and the officer.

Just like many other juvenile facilities, MCJDC has had its fair share of serious problems, including multiple reports over the years of sexual abuse involving staff and inmates. A big reason this kind of abuse happens so often is because there’s not enough oversight, and the system tends to just let things slide.

These aren’t one-off issues either—they point to bigger, structural problems. We’re talking about poor supervision, not enough training for staff, constant understaffing, and weak systems for holding people accountable. All of that creates the perfect environment for bad behavior to go unchecked.

One of the most disturbing parts? MCJDC has a history of brushing off credible complaints from kids about staff misconduct. A lot of the time, those reports were ignored, mishandled, or just not followed up on at all. In some cases, it’s even been alleged that administrators tried to protect the staff being accused or cover up the evidence altogether.

Holding Morris County Accountable for Abuse

MCJDC is under the operational control and authority of the Morris County Department of Human Services. This means that Morris County has both a legal and constitutional duty to take reasonable steps to protect the youth held at MCJDC from sexual abuse and assault. This responsibility doesn’t just cover preventing abuse by staff—it also includes keeping detainees safe from harm by other juveniles. To meet this obligation, the county was supposed to create and enforce strong policies and procedures to prevent sexual abuse inside the facility.

But despite that clear duty, there’s growing evidence that Morris County failed to do its part. When reports of abuse came in, the response from both facility staff and state officials was often lacking. Problems ranged from poor staff oversight to weak or nonexistent policies, not enough training, and a serious failure to put effective safety measures in place.

Because of these oversights and failures, Morris County could be held legally responsible in civil court. Survivors of sexual abuse at MCJDC may have the right to seek compensation for the trauma and harm they endured due to the county’s failure to protect them.

You Don’t Need to Know Your Abuser’s Name

Many survivors of sexual abuse at juvenile facilities like MCJDC think they have to know the name of the staff member who harmed them in order to file a lawsuit. But that’s actually not the case. You do not need to identify your abuser by name when you first file a civil claim.

In reality, most people who come forward with these types of cases don’t know exactly who their abuser was. What matters is that they can describe what happened and, if possible, give a general physical description or any details about the circumstances. That’s usually enough to get the legal process started.

Once a lawsuit is filed, lawyers can use the discovery process to dig deeper. This includes getting access to staff rosters, video footage, incident reports, and other records that can help identify the person responsible.

Of course, if a survivor can name their abuser, that can make the case stronger—especially if that staff member has a history of complaints or has been disciplined or charged in the past. That kind of information can help prove there was a pattern of abuse and that the facility failed to act.

Settlement Payouts for MCJDC Sex Abuse Cases

If you’re thinking about filing a lawsuit for sexual abuse that happened at CCJDC, you’re probably wondering how much a case like this might be worth. The answer depends on a few key factors. Here’s a breakdown of what can influence the potential value of a settlement:

1. The Severity of the Abuse
   The more serious and long-lasting the harm, the higher the potential compensation. If the survivor has been diagnosed with PTSD, depression, anxiety, or has physical injuries, that can significantly increase the value of the case. Even without medical records, mental health experts can still help build a strong case by speaking to the emotional and psychological effects of the abuse.
2. The Evidence That’s Available
   A survivor’s own account can carry a lot of weight. But supporting evidence—like internal reports, witness statements, or proof that staff ignored red flags—can strengthen the case and lead to a higher settlement. If it can be shown that the facility had serious safety failures or ignored signs of abuse, that’s a big factor in holding them accountable.
3. The Victim’s Age at the Time
   Younger victims often receive larger settlements because of how deeply the trauma can affect their development and long-term mental health. Courts and juries tend to recognize the lasting impact abuse can have on a child or teenager.
4. Whether the Abuser Can Be Identified
   You don’t have to know exactly who abused you to file a claim, but being able to identify the person—especially if they’ve faced similar accusations before—can really strengthen the case. It shows a pattern of abuse and can make it harder for the facility to deny responsibility.

Contact Us About MCJDC Sex Abuse Cases

If you were sexually abused as an inmate at Morris County Juvenile Detention Center, you may be able to file a lawsuit and get compensation. Reach out to us online or call 800-553-8082.