Eight individuals have filed a civil lawsuit against the Clark County Juvenile Detention Facility, alleging that staff members sexually and physically abused children held at the facility over multiple decades. According to reporting by KGW, the lawsuit claims that staff retaliated against youth who attempted to report mistreatment.

According to the complaint, the alleged conduct includes coerced sexual acts, physical assaults, and the intimidation of minors who sought help. The plaintiffs, all of whom report being harmed while detained as juveniles, assert that the environment at the facility enabled systemic abuse and discouraged disclosure.

The lawsuit was filed in Clark County Superior Court and names the county as a defendant. As of the time of filing, these allegations remain part of an active civil case and have not been adjudicated. Officials associated with the juvenile detention center had not issued a detailed public response in the court record available at the time the KGW report was published.

Though the facility is located in Clark County, the litigation carries implications for communities across Southwest Washington, including Cowlitz County, where residents rely on regional juvenile justice infrastructure and oversight mechanisms. Allegations of misconduct in one county facility can prompt broader public scrutiny of training, reporting procedures, and accountability systems throughout the region.

The case is expected to move through preliminary proceedings in the coming months, during which the court will determine next steps and whether additional filings will be required. No hearing schedule had been set in publicly accessible records at the time of publication.

Why this matters

Juvenile detention facilities hold some of the region’s most vulnerable young people, and allegations of systemic abuse raise questions about safety, oversight, and due-process protections across Southwest Washington. For families in Longview, Kelso, and surrounding communities, the outcome of this lawsuit could influence policy discussions on regional youth detention standards, facility audits, and reporting mechanisms designed to prevent abuse.

Sources

KGW: 8 file lawsuit against Clark County Juvenile Detention Facility, alleging decades of sexual abuse