KLLF Files Federal Lawsuit on Behalf of Developmentally Disabled Queens Woman After Leaked Videos Show Physical and Sexual Abuse by Group Home Staff

A developmentally disabled woman, identified as S.B, has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that she suffered years of physical and verbal abuse by staff at the privately operated Queens group home where she has lived since 2017. The suit charges that the operator of the residence, Independent Living Association, Inc., failed to protect S.B. from years of systemic abuse and neglect.

The horrific and sadistic abuse came to light in February 2022, when S.B.’s legal guardian, Jennifer Waldron, received four videos recorded inside the group home by an anonymous whistleblower showing unthinkable physical abuse of S.B. One video shows a staff member shoving a dildo down S.B.’s throat; another shows a staff member striking S.B. with a cable box while another staff member watches; a third shows another disabled resident slapping S.B. in the face while staff do nothing to intervene; and the fourth depicts a staff member throwing a boot at S.B. It was not until Ms. Waldron received these videos that the incidents were reported, as required by law, to the Vulnerable Persons’ Central Register operated by the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs, meaning that it took months for S.B. to be separated from her abusers. Three of S.B.’s tormentors were ultimately criminally charged.

“It was devastating to receive the four videos and watch the group home workers who were supposed to be caring for my sister abuse and terrify her instead,” said Ms. Waldron. “I trusted ILA and believed that they would keep S.B., who is already so vulnerable, safe. They must be held accountable for the safety of S.B. and her fellow residents.”

According to the lawsuit, these videos are emblematic of a larger pattern of systemic abuse of S.B. during her time at the ILA-run home. The complaint details how, over several years, staff members body slammed S.B., hit and punched her, threw objects at her, placed her in a chokehold, and were verbally abusive. The lawsuit also alleges that fellow residents, inadequately supervised by staff, attacked S.B, including by striking her with a glass bottle and throwing boiling liquids on her. When S.B. tried to report the abuse to ILA staff, they branded her a liar and turned a blind eye to her plight. 

“ILA had a duty to ensure that S.B. resided in a safe environment, and it utterly failed to meet this obligation. Because of a culture that permitted this unspeakable mistreatment to go unchecked, one of our society’s most vulnerable persons has suffered unimaginable trauma. ILA’s culture of actively discouraging the reporting of abuse and misconduct violates the law and cannot be tolerated,” said KLLF’s David Lebowitz, who represents S.B. and her sister.

“The facts here are astounding: a vulnerable individual was abused by the very individuals whose sole job it was to protect and provide for her and everyone else stood by and watched. It is essential that the institution be held accountable for facilitating a culture that actively discouraged the reporting of abuse and misconduct. Nobody should have to suffer the way S.B. did,” said KLLF’s Kyla Magun, who also represents the family.

You can view NBC 4’s coverage of the suit here.