A lawsuit has been filed against Eagle Ranch in South Hall County alleging sexual abuse against a minor that was a resident on its campus.
The suit, which was filed in Hall County Superior Court Feb. 22 of this year, is being brought forward by the guardians of an unidentified minor who lived in the home from June through October 2021.
Court documents indicate that the child was discharged from the program on Oct. 20 of that year with Eagle Ranch officials telling the child's guardians that it was for behavioral reasons with the child becoming aggressive towards his houseparent. The guardians allege in the lawsuit that the child was sexually assaulted by that houseparent.
The lawsuit is one of four active suits against Eagle Ranch as of May 2023.
Eagle Ranch issued a media statement responding to the allegations:
"Eagle Ranch is aware of the lawsuits filed by these parties. We strongly deny the claims made in each lawsuit and believe the claims are meritless. The Ranch intends to fully defend itself against these claims," the statement read. "The latest filing regards allegations involving a former Eagle Ranch staff member. Eagle Ranch was made aware of the allegations while this individual was still on staff. When first made, Eagle Ranch and the employee cooperated fully with the Hall County Sheriff’s Department investigation, which found no grounds to further pursue the allegations. This former employee later pursued another career opportunity."
Documents obtained through an open records request indicate that the sheriff's office conducted a criminal investigation into sexual molestation allegations made against an adult involving an 8-year-old child at Eagle Ranch in December 2021. Further details of the investigation were redacted.
The child and houseparent were not named in court documents and their names were redacted from sheriff's office documents.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit were contacted for statement but did not reply.
The most recent development in the lawsuit was a response issued by Eagle Ranch's representatives May 1, which denied all allegations made in the suit.
Eagle Ranch is a non-profit organization on Union Church Road in Flowery Branch that offers housing, counseling and behavioral therapy for troubled youth. The organization's website says it is "one of the Southeast’s largest residential children’s programs."
The full media statement from Eagle Ranch, including responses to the other active lawsuits, is below:
For nearly 40 years, Eagle Ranch has provided more than 2,000 children and families in crisis with counseling, training and support so that they can experience renewal through restored relationships. We strive to create a nurturing, structured home life in a peaceful and safe environment for all of the families we serve.
Eagle Ranch is aware of the lawsuits filed by these parties. We strongly deny the claims made in each lawsuit and believe the claims are meritless. The Ranch intends to fully defend itself against these claims.
In total, four lawsuits have been submitted. The first lawsuit is a matter between former employees and involved no clients served by Eagle Ranch. Two lawsuits are matters between former students in our residential program, who are minors, and involved no Eagle Ranch staff. The latest filing regards allegations involving a former Eagle Ranch staff member. Eagle Ranch was made aware of the allegations while this individual was still on staff. When first made, Eagle Ranch and the employee cooperated fully with the Hall County Sheriff’s Department investigation, which found no grounds to further pursue the allegations. This former employee later pursued another career opportunity.
For privacy reasons in each matter, as well as pending litigation, the Ranch cannot provide further comment at this time.
