A Tuskegee youth residential facility is once again the subject of a lawsuit alleging physical abuse and neglect of a 15-year-old boy who allegedly “lived in constant fear for his safety.”

The suit, filed today in Macon County Circuit Court, alleges Brighter Path Tuskegee, formerly known as Sequel Tuskegee, allowed the teen to be “brutalized physically and emotionally,” sometimes in the presence of staff, which “frequently instigated fights among the residents.”

The nine-page lawsuit names the center’s executive director and other yet-to-be-identified individuals. Birmingham attorneys Tommy James of Tommy James Law and Jeremy Knowles of Morris Haynes, Tuskegee attorney Walter McGowan of Gray, Langford, Sapp, McGowan, Gray, Gray & Nathanson, and Pensacola attorney Caleb Cunningham of Levin, Papantonio & Rafferty represent the child.

Attempts to reach Brighter Path Tuskegee for comment were not immediately successful.

The attorneys have filed previous lawsuits against other youth treatment facilities that they say are part of a “troubled teen industry,” a network of for-profit youth residential facilities with widespread abuse and neglect.

Among the previous lawsuits was one against the same facility is a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the family of Connor Bennett, who died by suicide in 2022 after he claimed he was repeatedly sexually, emotionally and physically abused at the facility.

“Each case we file is a stark reminder that this is not an isolated problem,” James said. “It is a systemic failure that must be addressed. How many more children must suffer before we see real change? Our children’s lives are at stake.”

The teen at the heart of the new lawsuit, identified only as H.O., entered the facility on or around Jan. 18, 2022.

According to the lawsuit, the 15-year-old, as well as other residents, had little or no supervision, was frequently assaulted by other residents, received no education, and “lived in filth because he was not encouraged or made to take showers to maintain normal hygiene.” He also suffered from bed bug bites.

The child’s guardian ad litem – an attorney appointed to protect the child’s best interests – filed for an emergency hearing to have him removed from the facility, according to the suit.

“No child should endure what our client experienced in this facility,” James said. “He and other residents were treated worse than animals. It is sickening.”

The suit seeks compensatory and punitive damages.

“We hope this lawsuit will bring much-needed attention to the rampant abuse in youth residential facilities and will lead to positive change,” James said. “This lawsuit is about accountability and change. For too long, these facilities have prioritized profits over the well-being of our children. If hitting them in their pockets is what it takes to change how they operate, then that is the route we will pursue relentlessly.”