Oregon Youth Authority neglected serious abuse complaints

A state investigation has found serious issues within the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA). The agency is responsible for the safety of young people in its care but has reportedly failed to address various complaints about sexual abuse, drug smuggling, and violence. The investigation revealed at least two cases where employees were accused of sexually abusing youths. Alarmingly, the OYA did not refer these serious allegations to the Oregon State Police. There were also delays in responding to other complaints, such as staff forcing youths to kiss for food rewards. Parents have expressed frustration over the OYA's inaction. They have reached out to Director Joe O'Leary, questioning why their children continue to experience violence. Employees of the agency shared their concerns, stating that the situation makes them "sick" and that kids deserve to be safe. The investigation highlights a broader crisis in the OYA. It comes amid numerous lawsuits claiming that the agency failed to protect young people from abuse. The report does not provide specific details about ongoing cases but indicates a significant dysfunction within the agency. Earlier this year, O'Leary was fired by Governor Tina Kotek. The agency has about 900 employees and oversees around 900 youths across several facilities. A separate review uncovered a backlog of approximately 3,000 cases that were not properly managed and more than 700 cases still unresolved from previous years. Employees reported that issues often went unchecked, leading to concerns about the management of abuse complaints. Some staff felt so stymied that they took cases directly to law enforcement instead of going through the OYA's internal processes. The OYA has faced multiple lawsuits in recent years, including a recent $51 million lawsuit from men who allege they were sexually abused as boys at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility. The interim director has urged employees to support each other and continue their work to help the youths in their care.