Lawsuit: Autistic Child Suffered Physical and Sexual Abuse at Alabama Residential Facility

Morris Haynes filed a lawsuit in Jefferson County, Alabama, against Glenwood, Inc., a residential treatment provider that operates programs for children with autism and other developmental and behavioral disabilities.  The lawsuit alleges the facility failed to protect a child with autism from severe physical and sexual abuse while in its care and then failed to comply with mandatory reporting and safety obligations required under Alabama law.

Birmingham attorneys Jeremy Knowles of Morris Haynes and Tommy James of Tommy James Law represent the plaintiff.  The legal team also represents numerous other survivors of abuse across Alabama who were harmed in residential facilities entrusted with the care of vulnerable children.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a minor child identified only by initials to protect his privacy.  According to the lawsuit, the child was admitted to Glenwood in 2025 based on representations that the facility provided trained staff, continuous supervision, and a safe therapeutic environment for children with autism and developmental disabilities.

According to the lawsuit, while residing at the facility, the child was violently assaulted by a staff member, resulting in a fractured collarbone that required surgical repair.  Treating physicians concluded the injury was caused by high-velocity trauma inconsistent with an accident or any appropriate therapeutic intervention.

“When Glenwood took custody of our client, a child with autism, it took on full responsibility for his safety,” said Tommy James.  “The allegations here are not about a minor lapse; they describe a complete failure to protect a child who depended on this facility for his safety.”

The complaint further alleges that, in the months following the physical assault, the child was sexually abused by another staff member while in the facility’s care.  A subsequent forensic medical examination identified physical findings consistent with sexual trauma, and the child was treated as a confirmed victim of sexual assault.

“The physical and sexual trauma alleged here is horrifying, but what followed is just as disturbing,” James said.  “Instead of reporting the abuse as required by law, the facility failed to act at a time when protecting a child should have been the number one priority.  When a facility like this chooses silence, children pay the price.”

According to the lawsuit, Glenwood failed to promptly report either the physical assault or the sexual abuse to law enforcement or to DHR, despite mandatory reporting obligations under Alabama law.  The complaint alleges the facility minimized the incidents of abuse, delayed outside involvement, and released records only after authorities became involved.

Jeremy Knowles emphasized the broader accountability issues raised by the case.  “We filed this lawsuit because a vulnerable child was failed by the very system designed to protect him,” Knowles said.  “Accountability is the only way to make sure this never happens again.”

The lawsuit further alleges that the child suffered profound and lasting psychological harm, including trauma responses, fear of physical contact, and significant disruption to his emotional and developmental functioning.

Morris Haynes has a successful track record of holding negligent and abusive youth facilities accountable. If you or someone you love has been harmed, contact us today. We want to help. (205) 324-4008

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