Lakeland Behavioral Health faces lawsuit alleging child sex abuse

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Lakeland Behavioral Health System in Springfield is facing a lawsuit alleging juvenile residents at the facility suffered physical, psychological and emotional injuries as the result of child sexual abuse perpetrated by Lakeland employees.

The personal injury lawsuit filed in Greene County Circuit Court this week says three anonymous Missouri adults — who were juveniles at the time of the alleged incidents — suffered sexual abuse while residents at Lakeland in Springfield.

According to the six-count petition, Lakeland was negligent in housing and securing the safety of the three plaintiffs by allowing employees to have unsupervised contact with the victims.

The second count of the petition alleges Lakeland is held liable for the conduct of its employees who committed child molestation, sexual misconduct and sexual abuse against the plaintiffs.

The petition's third count says the alleged assault and battery committed by Lakeland employees against the plaintiffs caused the plaintiffs to suffer mental anguish, trauma, humiliation, embarrassment and more.

The petition's fourth count alleges Lakeland engaged in intentional infliction of emotional distress, and the fifth count says Lakeland was negligent in hiring and retaining its employees.

Additionally, the petition's sixth count alleges Lakeland had negligent supervision over the employees accused of the abuse.

The lawsuit asks for damages over $150,000, as well as other relief that the court deems just.

The petition notes a former Lakeland employee pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor in September of 2024. In addition, the petition says the identities of the plaintiffs' abusers are expected to be made known through the course of discovery in the lawsuit.

The plaintiffs are being represented by Elizabeth C. McNulty of the Simon Law Firm in St. Louis.

Ozarks First reached out to Lakeland for comment and have not received a response as of this article's publishing.