More Survivors of OYA Abuse Come Forward and File Lawsuits Against The State of Oregon

Three newly filed lawsuits are shedding more light on a horrifying pattern of sexual abuse committed against children in Oregon’s youth correctional facilities. Filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court, the lawsuits accuse three former Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) employees of sexually abusing incarcerated youth at Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility in Salem and Oak Creek Youth Correctional Facility in Albany.

These cases are the latest in a growing number of lawsuits that reveal how the State of Oregon repeatedly failed to protect the children in its custody.

The Allegations

• Scott J. Scrabeck, a corrections officer, is accused of sexually abusing three teenage girls between 1999 and 2008. The abuse allegedly included groping, forcing the girls to touch him, and masturbating while watching them shower. One survivor reported that the abuse occurred “dozens” of times. Despite multiple incidents, Scrabeck remained employed until 2023.

• Alex Blevins, a group life coordinator at Oak Creek, allegedly sexually abused a 16-year-old girl approximately ten times between 2009 and 2011. Although the victim reported the abuse to the Oregon State Police in 2011, there is no record of meaningful action being taken. Blevins was not fired until 2014 after additional complaints from coworkers.

• Robert L. Blacksmith, a former staffer at Hillcrest, is accused of groping and sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy in a blind spot near the isolation room between 2001 and 2002. The suit claims Blacksmith used his authority to intimidate the victim into silence. Blacksmith was later convicted in a separate child sex abuse case and sentenced to over 15 years in prison.

The lawsuits allege sexual battery, civil rights violations, and negligence and seek over $25 million in damages.

A Pattern of Abuse and Institutional Failure

These new filings come alongside a fifth lawsuit against the state involving Dr. Edward Gary Edwards, the former chief medical officer at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility. Edwards is accused of sexually abusing at least 51 boys during his decades-long tenure. The total claims in those lawsuits now exceed $250 million.

These cases show a devastating pattern: repeated abuse by state employees, ignored or concealed reports, and a failure to remove predators from positions of authority. Even when complaints were raised, the institutions responsible for protecting these children often looked the other way.

The growing number of lawsuits has prompted the Marion County District Attorney to convene a grand jury to investigate the conditions at MacLaren and how complaints of abuse have been handled.

Our Commitment to Survivors

At Ross Law, we believe every child has the right to safety, dignity, and justice—especially those in state custody. These brave survivors stepping forward are exposing not just individual predators but also the systemic negligence of the institutions that protected them.

Attorney Jeremiah Ross is committed to holding state agencies and public officials accountable when they fail to protect vulnerable children. We stand with survivors, and we will continue to fight for justice on their behalf.

If you or someone you know experienced sexual abuse in state custody, contact Ross Law at 503.224.1658 for a confidential, no-cost consultation. We are here to listen. We are here to help.

Oregon Youth Authority Abuse Claims Prompt Change

Ross Law has fought to achieve civil justice for youth and their families that the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) has failed. The OYA has been plagued with mismanagement for decades that has resulted in claims of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect of incarcerated youth. To compound the issue, OYA failed to promptly investigate those claims and grievances of incarcerated youth which helped perpetuate the abuse. It appears the Governor is attempting to make change to break the cycle of abuse and mismanaged claims.

According to the Statesman Journal, Katherine O. Berger has been appointed as the new Youth and Family Advocate for the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), starting May 1—a role created in response to growing concerns about systemic failures within OYA, including lawsuits alleging sexual abuse of youth and a large backlog of unresolved complaints. The position, designed to be independent and overseen by the governor’s office, aims to support youth and their families in navigating the system, raising concerns, and understanding their rights.

The need for stronger oversight became urgent after a January audit revealed that Raymond Byrd, former chief investigator of OYA’s Professional Standards Office (PSO), had failed to review thousands of complaints. His resignation, alongside the firing of former OYA Director Joe O’Leary, underscored the agency’s accountability crisis. Interim Director Jana McLellan proposed the advocate role as part of several reforms following this internal review.

Berger, a longtime youth defense attorney, will regularly visit correctional facilities, meet with youth and families, and report on systemic safety issues. She will deliver a comprehensive report by May 2026 recommending how to establish a permanent advocate role and improve protections for youth reporting abuse. Her appointment signals a shift toward addressing deeply rooted issues in OYA’s handling of youth safety and misconduct complaints.

This is a step in the right direction, and here at Ross Law we hope it will make positive change. However, it will not help those that are already endured sexual abuse, assault, a lack of medical or mental health care while incarcerated at McClaren, OYA Group homes, or other while in the custody of OYA.

If you or someone you know have questions about whether or not you or your family have a claim against OYA please reach out to Ross Law and Jeremiah Ross at 503.224.1658. Please remember that certain time limitations may affect your ability to pursue a claim against the Oregon Youth Authority, so it is best to contact a lawyer sooner rather than later.

Tragic Number of Kids on Oregon DHS's Radar Die in 2025

Over the years, Ross Law has had great success in representing the interests of children who have been harmed, neglected, abused, or killed as a result of Oregon’s DHS and CPS’s failures. Despite holding the State accountable in these cases, it appears the system is still failing too many children.

OregonLive reported that in the first three months of 2025, ten children known to Oregon's Department of Human Services (DHS) died, prompting state investigations. This marks an increase from two deaths during the same period in 2024 and five in 2023. Though none of the children were in foster care, half were involved in active abuse investigations, and the others lived in households that DHS had previously checked on.

The deaths include five infants and toddlers—four of whom may have died due to unsafe sleep conditions while a parent or guardian was under the influence of marijuana—and five adolescents, including four teens who died within six days of each other in mid-February. The teen deaths were unrelated, but the number has raised concern among advocates, as adolescents now make up a larger share of fatalities than in past years.

Ross Law and attorney Jeremah Ross are dedicated to using the civil justice system to hold the State accountable for its failures that result in the tragic death, abuse, or neglect of children. If you or someone you know believe that Oregon’s DHS/CPS failed a child and the child was harmed and killed as a result, then please call 503.224.1658 to speak wth attorney Jeremah Ross.

Please note that all cases are different and that this article is for informational purposes only and is not to be considered legal advice. If you have questions about a potential case against the State of Oregon’s DHS or CPS then please call an attorney and do not rely solely on this post.

Statesman Journal Features Ross Law's $4,000,000 Recovery from OYA for Family

In a landmark settlement reported by The Statesman Journal, the state of Oregon has agreed to pay $4 million to the family of a 20-year-old who died by suicide while on parole with the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA). This significant settlement highlights the concerns about the treatment and supervision of the acutely mentally ill that are in the legal custody of the State of Oregon’s Youth Authority.

The lawsuit alleged that the state's negligence, violations of civil rights, and inadequate mental health care contributed directly to the young man's death. Jeremiah Ross was trusted by the family to obtain justice under these tragic circumstances. The settlement spotlights the need for systemic reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future. It is Jeremiah Ross’s hope that the State of Oregon has acknowledged the severity of the case and expressed a commitment to improving mental health services within correctional facilities.

This case underscores the critical importance of proper mental health care and oversight in custodial settings, prompting discussions about policy changes and increased funding for mental health initiatives.

For the full article Click: Here.

The Case was Galm v. The State of Oregon (OYA), Et Al, United States District Court for the District of Oregon Case: 3:23-cv-00962.

This is the second time Ross Law and Jeremiah Ross have been featured by the Statesman Journal for representing a family seeking justice on behalf of a relative who tragically committed suicide. Click Here, for the previous article.

If you or someone you know were abused, neglected, sexually assaulted, severely injured, or have endured a tragic loss of a loved one, and believe it is the fault of the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), Oregon Department of Human Services Child Protective Services (CPS), the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC), or any local or state law enforcement agency, please call Ross Law at 503.224.1658 to discuss your options.

Please remember that each case is different and although this million-dollar recovery occurred in this case, it may not occur in every case.

Ross Law featured in OregonLive for Record $4,000,000 Recovery from OYA involving Suicide

In a landmark settlement reported by The Oregonian, the state of Oregon has agreed to pay $4 million to the family of a 20-year-old who died by suicide while on Oregon Youth Authority Parole. According to OregonLive this is a “record” settlement, highlighting significant concerns about the treatment and supervision of individuals in state care.

The lawsuit alleged that the state's negligence, violations of the young man’s civil rights, and inadequate mental health care contributed directly to the young man's death. Jeremiah Ross and Ross Law, were honored to be trusted by the family to try and acheive justice under these tragic circumstances. Jeremiah Ross hopes that this settlement will spotlight the need for systemic reforms to prevent similar tragedies in the future. It is Ross Law’s hopes that State officials have acknowledged the severity of the case and expressed a commitment to improving mental health services within correctional facilities.

This case underscores the critical importance of proper mental health care and oversight in custodial settings, prompting discussions about policy changes and increased funding for mental health initiatives.

For the full article Click: Here

The Case was Galm v. The State of Oregon (OYA), Et Al, United States District Court for the District of Oregon Case: 3:23-cv-00962.

If you or someone you know were abused, neglected, sexually assaulted, severely injured, or have endured a tragic loss of a loved one, and believe it is the fault of the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), Oregon Department of Human Services Child Protective Services (CPS), the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC), or any local or state law enforcement agency, please call Ross Law at 503.224.1658 to discuss your options.

Please remember that each case is different and although this million-dollar recovery occurred in this case, it may not occur in every case.