Devereux Lawsuit Aims To Show A 'Pattern Of Systemic Abuse'

MALVERN, PA — Thirteen adults who allege they were sexually abused as minors while in the custody of Devereux child services have joined the largest lawsuit to date against the Devereux Foundation.

The law firms Saltz Mongeluzzi & Bendesky, PC, and Helm Law Group said Jane Doe (X.X.) vs. Devereux Foundation, Inc. is believed to be the largest single survivor-group complaint filed against the Pennsylvania-based provider of child services. The complaint was filed Oct. 5 in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

Bob Mongeluzzi said the civil lawsuit aims to end "systemic abuse" by the foundation. The alleged victims represent a group of 12 women and one man who claim they were sexually assaulted as minors. The lawsuit alleges Devereux failed in its obligation under the law to protect the minors in its care "from being sexually abused and/or assaulted by staff members, agents, servants, and employees."

The ten-count complaint names as defendants the Philadelphia Main Line-based Devereux Foundation, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, and 17 other affiliated businesses, along with one individual defendant, Everol David Brackett.

Brackett is a former Devereux residential group home supervisor, imprisoned after his conviction in Chester County for sexually assaulting one of the plaintiffs.

The civil action states it "seeks money damages against Defendant Devereux and its agents, representatives, and employees for the willful, reckless, grossly negligent, and negligent supervision of juveniles placed entrusted to Defendant Devereux."

"These courageous plaintiffs put their trust, faith and confidence in Devereux and its employees to care for them, to help them rehabilitate," stated Robert J. Mongeluzzi, of Saltz, Mongeluzzi & Bendesky (SMB). The law firm alleges that, "Instead (the plaintiffs) were horrifically brutalized sexually, physically and emotionally. They are taking positive action to hold those who utterly failed to protect and care for them accountable and to prevent other vulnerable, innocent individuals from being victimized."

Attorneys Robert J. Mongeluzzi, Andrew R. Duffy, Kristen Gibbons Feden, Daniel Ceisler (of SMB), and James D. Helm (Helm Law Group), said the filing, which accuses Devereux of negligence, sexual assault, and child abuse claims, does not name the plaintiffs to protect their privacy. The Pennsylvania-based firms jointly represent the plaintiffs, 12 of whom reside in Pennsylvania; the other is a Delaware resident.

The attorneys say that their clients' alleged "abuse, severe and permanent injuries, are irrefutable and will be detailed at trial."

Helm said, "The majority of the plaintiffs did report their abuse to Devereux, and in most cases were either ignored or were called liars."

"We intend to determine once and for all why this multi-state conglomerate with nearly $500 million in annual revenue failed to properly monitor its employees to ensure that they did not — often repeatedly and without consequences — molest or sexually abuse minors," said Duffy, of SMB.

"One incident is intolerable," Duffy added. The lawsuit alleges a pattern of systemic abuse over decades. "It must finally end," said Duffy.

Feden, who heads SMB's sexual assault practice and was among the lead prosecutors who convicted Bill Cosby at his retrial in Montgomery County, said the crimes against the plaintiffs were "ghastly," stating one was only eight years old.

"These children and their families, many from communities of color, were first betrayed and then abused," Feden asserted.

"Meanwhile, Devereux pocketed its compensation from the referring agency or government despite knowing that they were not placing these children in caring and enriching environments," said Feden.

"We believe the only way to abolish the sexual assault — including rape — culture at Devereux is by having a jury hold Devereux accountable for these unspeakable violations," Helm said.