Foster Care Abuse Lawyer

Sexual Abuse in Foster Homes

The foster care system is intended to provide a safe refuge for children who may have experienced abuse or neglect. However, approximately 27% of children in foster care experience sexual abuse at some point in their lives, according to The International Journal of Child Abuse & Neglect.

Foster care sexual abuse cases often involve a combination of individual abusers and systemic failures by child welfare agencies that ignored warning signs, failed to supervise placements, or continued to place children with known predators.

Foster home sexual abuse lawsuits claim:

• Children were sexually assaulted, exploited, or trafficked while in foster placements
• Caseworkers failed to properly screen, monitor, or supervise foster homes
• Reports of abuse were ignored, minimized, or mishandled
• Agencies continued placing children with individuals despite warning signs
• Government entities failed to protect the children in their care

Children placed in state custody rely entirely on the foster care system for their safety — but when this system fails, the consequences can be life-altering. Survivors have the right to demand accountability and meaningful change.

If you experienced sexual abuse in a foster home, you are not alone. Our team is here to help individuals pursue justice and compensation for the harm they’ve suffered.

Foster Care Sexual Abuse Settlements & Verdicts

Across the country, state agencies and child welfare departments have been ordered to pay substantial settlements and verdicts after failing to protect children placed in foster care.

Compensation from a foster care sexual abuse lawsuit can help survivors access therapy, medical care, and long-term support while also acknowledging the harm caused by the system that failed them.

Foster care sexual abuse settlements and verdicts include: 

• $4.8 Billion for around 11,000 survivors of abuse in Los Angeles juvenile facilities and foster homes dating back to 1959
• $25 Million to a child who was sexually abused in multiple foster homes
• $15 Million to 3 sisters in Washington state
• $7 Million for foster children who were physically and sexually abused in Massachusetts
• $19.5 Million to a brother and sister in New Jersey
• $485 Million for an 8-year-old girl who was repeatedly sexually abused by her foster parent

While there’s never a guarantee of compensation in any case, our foster care sexual abuse attorneys are prepared to fight hard for everything you’re entitled to. Find out more about notable results secured for survivors of sex abuse in foster care.

$4.8 Billion Los Angeles County Foster Care Abuse Settlement

In April 2025, Los Angeles County agreed to a historic $4 Billion settlement to resolve around 11,000 claims of abuse involving children placed in county-run juvenile facilities and foster homes, with some allegations dating back to 1959.

The settlement later increased to $4.8 Billion after officials approved an additional $828 Million for 414 survivors of abuse.

Many of the lawsuits centered on the MacLaren Children’s Center in El Monte, which served as a shelter for kids awaiting foster placement from 1961 to 2003. Survivors allege they were sexually abused while in county custody, often when they were dependent on the system for protection.

This settlement stands as the largest sexual abuse settlement in U.S. history and represents a major acknowledgment of institutional responsibility for protecting children in state care.

$25 Million New Jersey Foster Case Sexual Abuse Verdict

A New Jersey jury awarded $25 Million to a woman who was sexually abused in 3 separate foster homes between the ages of 6 and 9 during the 1980s and 1990s. The verdict was entered against the state’s Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP).

Jurors found the agency at fault for failing to properly investigate reports of abuse and not promptly removing the child from unsafe homes. The agency’s inaction reportedly allowed the abuse to continue over an extended period.

This was the first lawsuit to go to trial against the state of New Jersey under the Child Victims Act, which temporarily extended the statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse claims and allowed survivors to seek justice even decades after the abuse occurred.

$15 Million Washington Foster Care Settlement for Sex Abuse

In July 2024, Washington state agreed to pay $15 Million to 3 sisters — $5 Million each — to resolve claims that they were sexually abused by the teenage sons of their foster parents.

The sisters didn’t receive mandatory monthly visits from a social worker, which allowed the abuse to continue undetected. Additionally, their foster home was only licensed for 1 child, yet multiple children were placed in the home at the same time, according to the lawsuit.

The abuse allegedly continued even after the sisters were adopted into the family. The women decided to come forward decades later, after one of their daughters was taken into state custody and placed in that same home.

$7 Million Massachusetts Foster Care Settlement for Abuse

In Massachusetts, 4 former foster children filed a lawsuit against the state’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) after experiencing physical and sexual abuse while placed in a foster home. The state agreed to a $7 Million settlement.

The foster care lawsuit claims DCF received at least 14 reports of abuse within this home but didn’t take meaningful action to protect the children or remove them from this dangerous environment.

​​"This settlement, I believe, is a step in the right direction as we will never get our childhoods back, but we can finally feel something we never have gotten to feel — secure.”
– Nathan Williams, Foster Care Abuse Survivor

$19.5 Million Settlement for Sexual Abuse by Foster Parents

In New Jersey, a brother and sister reached a $19.5 Million foster care settlement with the state after being sexually abused by their foster parent during the 1960s and 1970s.

Child welfare officials placed the kids in the home of Joseph Salmon, who had a known criminal history involving sexual offenses. The lawsuit alleged gross negligence by the state for allowing a dangerous individual to be a foster parent.

Employees of the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency also reportedly failed to meet with the children during their placement to check on their well-being.

$485 Million Foster Home Sexual Abuse Verdict

In New Mexico, an 8-year-old child was awarded $485 Million after being sexually assaulted in a specialized foster home intended to provide behavioral help. The placement was arranged through the nonprofit Familyworks, which was licensed by the state’s Children, Youth, and Families Department.

Familyworks was reportedly aware of previous sexual assault allegations against the foster parent, yet still placed a child in their care.

The verdict was made up of $80 Million in compensatory damages for the child’s medical bills and emotional trauma, and $405 Million in punitive damages to punish the organization for their negligence.

Foster Home Abuse Lawsuit Updates 2026

Across the country, survivors are coming forward to file lawsuits against the agencies that failed to protect them from sexual abuse in foster homes.

As many state laws evolve to allow individuals to seek justice for abuse that happened during their childhood, agencies are being held accountable and reminded that the safety of children in foster care cannot be ignored.

Find out more about the latest foster home abuse cases: 

• December 2025: A member of the Santee Sioux Nation filed a lawsuit against the state of Iowa after being placed in a foster home with a convicted felon, where she was reportedly sexually assaulted.
• November 2025: Eugene Jennings, a Vermont foster parent, was arrested and accused of sexually abusing multiple teenage boys in his care.
• October 2025: Los Angeles County approved an additional $828 Million for survivors of juvenile detention and foster care sexual abuse, bringing the total settlement to over $4.8 Billion.
• September 2025: An investigation into Hawaii’s Child Welfare Services found that officials brushed off signs of serious physical and sexual abuse by foster parent John Teixeira, who took in nearly 60 boys over two decades.
• August 2025: A federal appeals court expanded a 2024 Oregon foster care abuse settlement to include children temporarily placed with their biological parents on trial visits, ensuring these foster youth can now seek compensation for abuse suffered during those placements.
• July 2025: A Florida couple and their 2 adult children were arrested for allegedly sexually abusing multiple foster children and placing them in cages.
• June 2025: Justin Jonathan Junkert, a 42-year-old Montana man, was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a foster child in his care.
• May 2025: Arkansas lawmakers raised concerns over continued understaffing in the state’s foster care workforce, which has contributed to high caseloads and delays in monitoring children. These staffing shortages and a shortage of foster homes can increase the risk of abuse and neglect for children in state care.
• April 2025: Los Angeles County reached a record-breaking $4 Billion settlement to resolve claims of childhood sexual abuse in foster homes and juvenile detention centers.
• March 2025: Richard Brown, a foster parent in Pennsylvania, was arrested on child sexual abuse charges. Police believe that Brown, who has been fostering children in the Pittsburgh area since the early 2000s, may have harmed other children in his care.
• February 2025: Thompson’s Residential Treatment Center, a foster care facility in Texas, was permanently shut down after the death of an 11-year-old boy. The facility had previously been the subject of multiple investigations involving sexual misconduct and physical abuse.
• January 2025: An Indiana couple was charged with 121 counts involving human trafficking, neglect, and sexual abuse. Court documents revealed that the foster parents mistreated at least 33 children in their care over the past 13 years.

As more survivors speak out about sexual abuse in the foster care system, state agencies are being forced to implement stronger safeguards and protect vulnerable children.

Each foster care sexual abuse lawsuit seeks justice for victims and pushes for meaningful reforms that may prevent future abuse. If you or a loved one was harmed, contact Sokolove Law now for help.

How to File a Foster Care Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

For many survivors, filing a foster care sexual abuse lawsuit is an important step toward justice and healing — and our compassionate team is here to guide you through every step of the process.

At Sokolove Law, we can handle all of the legal legwork on your behalf and work to hold those responsible for your suffering accountable.

Our foster care sexual abuse attorneys can: 

• Determine your eligibility to take legal action during a free case review
• Gather evidence to build a strong case, like medical records, witness statements, and reports from case workers
• File your lawsuit in the correct court before any legal deadlines
• Negotiate a foster care settlement with the defendant(s)
• Present your case in court if needed and pursue compensation from a trial verdict

What happened to you wasn’t your fault, and you don’t have to face it alone. We’re here to stand with you and help you learn more about your rights and options after experiencing sexual abuse in a foster home.

Our foster care sexual abuse lawyers are committed to making the legal process as easy and stress-free as possible, allowing you to move forward with confidence whenever you're ready.

Abuse in Foster Home Statistics

Sexual abuse in foster homes is a widespread issue that continues to impact children across the country. Many cases go unreported, meaning the true scope of abuse is likely even higher than available data suggests.

Here are the latest foster home abuse statistics:

• There are over 328,000 children in the foster care system, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Children in foster homes are over 4 times more likely to be sexually abused, as reported by the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform (NCCPR).
• For youth in group home settings, the risk skyrockets to more than 28 times higher.
• NCCPR also notes that over 20% of white children and nearly one-third of Native American children in foster or adoptive care reported experiencing sexual abuse, highlighting how race and ethnicity may influence risk.
• Children living in a foster home are twice as likely to report sexual abuse as children living in their own home, according to The International Journal of Child Abuse & Neglect.
• Perpetrators commonly include foster parents, foster siblings, professional staff, peers, and kinship caregivers like relatives or family friends.
• A report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found lapses in enforcing licensing requirements that include background checks and training, reflecting systemic oversight gaps in some child welfare settings.

“I’ve been doing this work for a long time [...], and I have almost never seen a child, boy or girl, who has been in foster care for any length of time who has not been sexually abused in some way, whether it is child-on-child or not.”
– Marcia Lowry, Executive Director at A Better Childhood, Inc.

These statistics highlight the urgent need for stronger oversight, prevention measures, and accountability at every level of the system. While the full scope of sexual abuse in foster homes remains unknown, our firm is committed to helping survivors seek justice.

Types of Sexual Abuse in Foster Care

Sexual abuse in foster care can take many forms, all of which may have long-lasting emotional and psychological effects on children. Understanding the different types of abuse helps highlight risks and ways the system can fail to protect vulnerable youth.

Sexual abuse in foster care may involve:

• Exposure to pornography
• Molestation, rape, or attempted rape
• Trafficking, which involves a child being coerced, manipulated, or sold for sexual purposes in exchange for money, goods, or favors
• The creation of sexual images or videos (child sexual abuse material)
• Voyeurism or inappropriate observation

No child should ever have to endure sexual abuse in foster care — but we’re committed to providing those who have with the support and resources they deserve.

Find a Foster Care Sexual Abuse Lawyer Near You

Foster care is meant to provide safety, stability, and protection for vulnerable children. When that trust is broken by individual perpetrators and systemic failures, the harm can be profound.

At Sokolove Law, we can help individuals who were sexually abused in foster care work to hold responsible parties accountable while providing support every step of the way.

Find out why families choose our foster care sexual abuse lawyers: 

• Over 45 years of experience fighting for survivors
• No upfront costs or hourly fees
• Able to help families in all 50 states
• More than $10.1 Billion total secured for our clients

Remember: You only have a limited amount of time to file a foster care sexual abuse claim, and waiting too long could affect your ability to seek justice. While legal action may not feel urgent right now, many survivors have found litigation to be an important part of the healing process.

Call (800) 995-1212 now or fill out our contact form to get started with a free, no-obligation case review.

Foster Home Sexual Abuse Lawsuit FAQs