Maple Lane School Sexual Abuse Lawyers
Throughout its history, Maple Lane has been plagued by sexual abuse and misconduct allegations. In many instances, the State has fired or dismissed staff and guards for sexual abuse and misconduct against inmates and other staff people.
Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund, Partner, Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: April 30, 2026
Maple Lane School opened in 1914 as a detention center for girls, though some boys from Cedar Creek Youth Camp attended school there during the 1950s and ‘60s before it became a co-ed facility. In 1981, Maple Lane became a boys-only facility, and all girls were transferred to Echo Glen Children’s Center.
- There have been several documented cases of sexual abuse at Maple Lane, including a food services worker pleading guilty to a sexual relationship with an underage inmate and a security officer dismissed for harassing female co-workers.
- Oslund Udo Little offers free consultations and work on a contingency basis to help survivors of abuse at Maple Lane School seek the justice and compensation they deserve.
Sexual Abuse at the Maple Lane School
In 2010, a former food services worker at Maple Lane School pleaded guilty to having a sexual relationship with an underaged inmate. The boy worked in the kitchen under the worker’s supervision. Prosecutors charged her with two counts of sexual misconduct in the first degree and one count of tampering with a witness.
In another case, a juvenile rehabilitation security officer was dismissed from the school when he harassed his female co-workers on multiple occasions. The officer blamed the Maple Lane’s culture for excusing this type of misconduct.
Many former inmates have bravely come forward with their own stories about the sexual abuse they endured at Maple Lane School. The issue has been known to the State of Washington for decades, but facilities like Maple Lane historically did little to address it. The abuse was often perpetrated by staff members, including correctional officers, guards, officers, or others. However, in some instances, the State failed to protect inmates from abuse committed by other inmates.
Inmates at these facilities are more susceptible to all forms of abuse due to their age, power dynamics between the staff and students, and the inmates’ past traumas. If you survived an abusive relationship or interaction at Maple Lane, call our compassionate sex abuse lawyers. We are here to help and listen.
What Damages Are Recoverable in a Washington Sexual Assault Lawsuit?
Survivors of sexual abuse might be eligible to file a civil lawsuit against the institutions whose negligence enabled the abuse. In a Washington sexual assault lawsuit, you can pursue economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are the measurable monetary losses resulting from the abuse, which could include medical expenses or lost earning capacity.
Non-economic damages compensate for harms that are harder to measure, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Sexual assault is often an extraordinarily traumatizing event and at times the full extent of the harm is not realized until years after the assault. It can result in anxiety, depression, and other emotional harms.
Every case is different, and consulting with a Maple Lane School sexual assault lawyer can help survivors understand their rights and the damages they may be eligible to recover and determine the best path forward.
Washington's Statute of Limitations for Juvenile Sex Abuse Lawsuits
Washington state passed a new bill eliminating the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits by sexual abuse survivors whose assaults occurred on or after June 6, 2024. However, House Bill 1618 is not retroactive, meaning the previous statute of limitations applies to sexual abuse incidents that occurred before that date. Since Maple Lane School ceased operations as a juvenile detention center before 2023, the old deadline covers most sexual abuse lawsuits against the facility. It is important that you consult with an attorney to determine what the applicable statute of limitations is for your potential case.
Deadline for Filing a Claim
If childhood sexual abuse occurred before June 6, 2024, survivors must file a civil action within three years from the date when the survivor is made aware of the full extent of his or her emotional injuries and knows the identity of the negligent entity or person.
