Lakeland Behavioral Health Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Confidential Consultations for Survivors of Sexual Abuse

At Injury Lawyer Team, we represent survivors of Lakeland Behavioral Health sexual abuse and their families with compassion and determination. Our firm understands the devastating impact of sexual exploitation and abuse in psychiatric and residential treatment settings, especially when vulnerable children and adolescents are involved.

We provide confidential, free consultations to help victims and their loved ones understand their rights, explore options for a psychiatric hospital sexual abuse lawsuit, and take the first step toward justice. Survivors deserve to be heard, supported, and protected, and we are here to fight for them.

Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Lakeland Behavioral Health System

Over recent years, serious allegations have arisen against Lakeland Behavioral Health System in Springfield. Dozens of former residents and their families have pursued legal claims, accusing the facility and its parent company, Acadia Healthcare, of enabling neglect, cover-ups, and sexual abuse of vulnerable children and adolescents during psychiatric and residential treatment.

Multiple Missouri Lawsuits Filed

In May 2025, at least two lawsuits were filed in Greene County, Missouri, representing over 30 plaintiffs (many minors at the time). These sexual abuse lawsuits accuse Lakeland of allowing sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation in its adolescent treatment programs. Each count is seeking damages at a baseline of $25,000 or more, with final amounts to be determined by jury or settlement.

Criminal Cases Involving Former Staff

These lawsuits parallel related criminal cases:

• Mark McMannamy, a former Lakeland staffer, was sentenced in November 2024 to eight years in prison for two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. He reportedly solicited explicit images from a teenage patient.
• Lessie Malek Butler was charged in 2024 with statutory rape, statutory sodomy, and fourth-degree child molestation stemming from alleged sexual misconduct involving teen patients during 2022–2023. His criminal case remains pending in the court system.

These names appear in the civil lawsuits as emblematic of a broader pattern of abusive behavior at Lakeland.

Allegations of Institutional Failures

Rather than blaming isolated employees cited only, lawsuits allege systemic failures:

• Use of sedating medications (“booty darts”) to incapacitate patients and make abuse possible.
• Broken or nonfunctional security cameras, inadequate supervision, and reports of abuse that were ignored, destroyed, or suppressed.
• Bonuses or incentives allegedly offered to staff who gave positive statements to regulators, and alleged shredding of incident reports and witness records.
• Institutional policies permitting sexual misconduct under the guise of treatment for addiction and behavioral issues, with failure to monitor or intervene.

Defendant Parties Named

The lawsuits in Missouri name:

• Lakeland Behavioral Health System (often as “Lakeland”)
• Acadia Healthcare (owner of the facility)
• Individual facility leaders, such as the CEO, HR director, risk management director, and other executives
• Two former employees: Mark McMannamy and Lessie Butler are referenced in both criminal and civil contexts

Plaintiffs argue that corporate decisions, such as prioritizing profit margins over safe staffing, enabled an environment in which abuse could flourish.

Status & Known Outcomes

As of May 2025, these Missouri sexual abuse lawsuits remain pending, with no public record of final settlements or jury awards. The complaints request damages and accountability via the civil court system, relying on court records to support claims. Meanwhile, criminal proceedings for McMannamy have concluded with sentencing, and Butler’s case continues in criminal court.

What Laws Govern Sexual Abuse Cases in Missouri?

When survivors of child sexual abuse at institutions like Lakeland Behavioral Health System decide to pursue justice, their claims are shaped by Missouri’s criminal and civil laws. Understanding these statutes helps victims, families, and their attorneys determine what forms of legal action are possible and what obligations institutions and employees have under state law.

Title XXXVIII, Chapter 566: Sex Crimes in Missouri

Under Title XXXVIII – Crimes and Punishment; Peace Officers and Public Defenders, Chapter 566 of the Missouri Revised Statutes defines the full range of sex crimes. This chapter outlines offenses such as statutory rape, statutory sodomy, and child molestation, among others. These statutes establish the criminal framework for prosecuting perpetrators like former staff members at Lakeland who have been criminally charged for abusing minors.

RSMo § 210.115: Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse or Neglect

Missouri law also requires certain professionals, including school teachers, therapists, medical staff, and institutional employees, to act as mandatory reporters when they suspect or learn of abuse. RSMo § 210.115 makes it a legal duty to immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Missouri Department of Social Services.

Who Can File a Lawsuit Following Child Sexual Abuse at Lakeland Behavioral Health?

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse at Lakeland Behavioral Health have the right to bring civil lawsuits against those responsible. Missouri law also allows others to pursue claims when children cannot act for themselves.

• Survivors: Children abused as minors may file once they reach adulthood. Adult survivors can pursue claims for past abuse, subject to Missouri’s statute of limitations.
• Parents and Guardians: Parents or legal guardians may file on behalf of their child while it is still a minor, securing damages for medical care, therapy, and related losses.
• Estates or Representatives: If abuse leads to a child’s death, the estate or personal representative may pursue a wrongful death claim.
• Broader Applicability: Claims may cover sexual assault, but also neglect or other abuse by staff entrusted with the care of vulnerable adolescents in a residential treatment center.

What Damages Can Missouri Sexual Abuse Victims Recover?

Survivors of sexual abuse in Missouri, including those filing residential treatment center sexual abuse lawsuits against facilities like Lakeland Behavioral Health, may recover both economic and non-economic damages:

• Medical and Therapy Costs: Coverage for hospital bills, long-term counseling, trauma therapy, and psychiatric treatment.
• Lost Wages or Earning Capacity: Compensation if the abuse impacts education, career opportunities, or the ability to work.
• Pain and Suffering: Recovery for emotional trauma, PTSD, depression, and the loss of quality of life.
• Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct, Missouri law allows additional damages to punish institutions that ignored or concealed abuse.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Lawsuit Against Lakeland Behavioral Health System?

In Missouri sexual abuse lawsuits, liability may extend beyond the staff who directly committed the abuse. Survivors and families may bring claims against:

• Individual perpetrators – Former employees such as McMannamy and Butler, already criminally charged, can face civil liability for abusing patients.
• Lakeland Behavioral Health System – As the licensed facility, Lakeland may be held responsible for negligent hiring, supervision, and failure to protect residents.
• Acadia Healthcare (parent company) – Plaintiffs argue Acadia’s corporate policies, such as understaffing and profit-driven practices, created unsafe conditions that enabled abuse.
• Supervisors and executives – Leadership, including the CEO and HR/risk management staff, may be liable for ignoring reports, concealing complaints, or failing to enforce safety measures.
• Institutional responsibility – In residential treatment center sexual abuse lawsuits, facilities have a heightened duty of care to protect the youth; breaches of this duty can result in liability.

How Long Do Sexual Abuse Survivors Have to Take Legal Action in Missouri?

The time limits for filing a sexual abuse lawsuit in Missouri depend on whether the survivor was a minor or an adult when the abuse occurred. These rules are critical in cases involving institutions like Lakeland Behavioral Health, where survivors may wait years before coming forward.

• Childhood Sexual Abuse (RSMo § 537.046): Missouri law gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse more time to take legal action. Under this statute, victims can file a lawsuit up to 10 years after turning 21 or 3 years from the date the abuse was reasonably discovered, whichever is later.
• Adult Victims (§ 516.140): For adult sexual abuse survivors, the general statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of the assault.
• Recent Developments (SB 831): Missouri legislators have considered updates, such as Senate Bill 831, which would adjust timelines for certain civil claims related to sexual abuse. Survivors should consult with attorneys to understand how these legislative changes may apply to their case.

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

At Injury Lawyer Team, we dedicate our practice to supporting survivors of abuse and their families. In cases involving sexual abuse lawsuits against institutions, our role is to take on the legal burden so survivors can focus on healing.

Here’s how we help:

• Confidential consultations: We provide a safe, private space for survivors and families to share their experiences and learn their legal options.
• Thorough investigation: Our attorneys review court records, interview witnesses, and work with medical and psychological experts to build strong cases.
• Full representation: We handle all communication with the facility, its owner Acadia Healthcare, and their insurers, protecting our clients from retraumatization.
• Maximizing recovery: We pursue damages for medical treatment, therapy, lost wages, emotional harm, and, when warranted, punitive damages.
• No upfront fees: We handle cases on a contingency basis, so you owe nothing unless we successfully recover compensation.

Book a Free Consultation

If you or someone you love was harmed at Lakeland Behavioral Health, you deserve justice. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our compassionate team. We will explain your rights, outline a plan for moving forward, file sexual abuse lawsuits, and fight to hold all responsible parties accountable.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.