Mount Prospect Academy Sexual Abuse Lawsuits

Seek Justice and Compensation for Sexual Abuse in New Hampshire Treatment Centers

Over 100 Mount Prospect Academy sexual abuse allegations have come to light, accusing the center of subjecting vulnerable children to physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. 

Injury Lawyer Team is here to affirm, support, and protect survivors of physical and sexual abuse, holding facilities accountable for failing to ensure the well-being of all in their care. Contact us today for a free, confidential, and no-obligation consultation about a legal claim. 

Lawsuits Alleging Sexual Abuse by Mount Prospect Academy Staff Members

Mount Prospect Academy is a collection of nonprofit academic and behavioral health agencies that serve children in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont. 

Most of the organization’s clients are referred by courts or are in state custody. The organization serves a continuum of care for children and families of all ages and genders. The programs’ students include children and young adults from ages 11 to 21. 

Despite claiming to be committed to offering quality mental health treatment and education to at-risk youth, there have been over 125 lawsuits filed against the organization, alleging severe harm by educators and staff members. 

One former student, John Doe 402, was abused at multiple residential facilities, including Sununu Youth Services Center, Nashua Children’s Home, and Jolicoeur School. At Mount Prospect Academy, he was allegedly subjected to anti-gay abuse in addition to severe physical punishment, such as having his head beaten against a bedframe or wrenching his arms up his back. 

This student alleged that staff would give the drug “spice” to their favorite students and would use heroin while on the job. Once, he was allegedly placed in isolation for up to 10 days and was severely beaten by employees. John Doe 402was denied bathing and hygiene supplies while in isolation. His lawyers state that he has no history of violence and was never a threat to others. 

Allegations by another former student claim that he was sexually abused by a female employee and smoked cannabis with staff members between 20 and 30 times. The former student was reportedly beaten or otherwise physically harmed every day, with certain incidents including having his head slammed against the side of a school bus or being restrained until his shoulder dislocated. 

Another of the lawsuits filed against Mount Prospect Academy claims that three or four staff members would hold him down and beat him. Additionally, the victim stated that a female employee forced him to have sex several times, and though he told counselors about what happened, they refused to intervene. The abuse only stopped when the victim ran away from the school. 

With lawsuits mounting, the academy sued its own insurance company for breach of contract. The school claimed that it was entitled to up to $5 million in liability insurance, including coverage for professional liability. According to the school, this was meant to include “bodily injury occurring in the course of discipline.” This suit is still ongoing. 

Jeff Caron, the head of Mount Prospect Academy, also has a significant criminal record involving reckless driving and transporting drugs in his vehicle. The court documents state that he hit a light pole in the city of Lebanon and had his driving privileges revoked for 60 days. However, his for-profit company, Sentinel, is paid thousands of dollars a day to operate these facilities on behalf of New England government agencies. 

When questioned about the concerns, Mount Prospect Academy’s compliance officer, Lara Saffo, stated, “The safety and well-being of the children in our care is always our top priority.  For decades, we have been dedicated to serving children, providing a caring and safe therapeutic environment. We are carefully reviewing the complaint, and are unable to provide further comment at this time.”

However, this ignores the fact that these facilities hired abusers and failed to remove them after numerous complaints. 

Morris David Nelson, a math teacher at the Vermont School for Girls, was convicted of sexually assaulting an underage student, who was a New Hampshire resident. He was ordered to serve 12 years to a lifetime sentence. The Vermont Permanency Initiative, which runs the school, quietly paid the victim $250,000. 

Nelson was just one of the convicted sex offenders who previously worked at one of these institutions, each of which is run by the same organizations that manage Mount Prospect Academy. Elvis Mata-Capellan was convicted of multiple felonies for a sexual relationship he had with a minor, which included purchasing her vapes and sending her explicit text messages. 

What NH Laws Govern Sexual Abuse Cases Involving Vulnerable Youth?

New Hampshire lawmakers have defined child abuse in the Child Protection Act (RSA 169-C:3). In relation to Mount Prospect Academy, “institutional child abuse or neglect” is defined as instances of sexual abuse or neglect that occur within an institution, which can include a foster home, residential treatment facility, or child protection agency.

The Child Protection Act also mandates that anyone who suspects a child may be mistreated must report abuse to the Division for Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) or law enforcement (RSA 169-C:29 through RSA 169-C:39). This includes both mandated reporters, like educators, counselors, clergy members, and healthcare professionals, as well as concerned members of the public. 

Mandated reporters are legally required to submit reports of abuse to the state and can face civil or criminal penalties if they refuse to comply. The state may then take the child into protective custody, interview them about what occurred, and refer the case to local law enforcement as necessary. DCYF can request emergency restraining orders to keep the child safe from any perpetrator (RSA 169-C:29 through RSA 169-C:39). 

Hearings regarding allegations of child abuse are closed to the public in order to preserve the child’s privacy. Additionally, in May 2025, the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled in State v. Zarella that victims have a right to privacy and must be notified before their mental health records are accessed. 

These measures are designed to provide survivors with assurance that they can disclose abuse without fear of retaliation. 

Who Can Be Held Liable for Sexual Abuse at Mount Prospect Academy?

Our firm will carefully evaluate your case to identify all potentially liable parties. These can include the following.

• Individual Perpetrator: The person who sexually abused you is typically the first individual named in a claim. If they have passed away, then the suit can progress against other parties, such as the academy. 
• Mandated Reporters: Staff members of treatment centers like Mount Prospect Academy have a legal and moral responsibility to report neglect or abuse of any form, including sexual abuse, against any student or employee. If they fail to do so, they can face civil lawsuits. 
• Mount Prospect Academy: Any treatment center or school is obligated to protect students from predators and to promptly address any safety concerns. If one of Mount Prospect Academy’s locations failed to do so, then the organization would be liable.
• Sentinel Group: This for-profit company runs Mount Prospect Academy and other treatment centers throughout New England. Its owner, Jeff Caron, has been implicated in multiple reckless acts, including drunk driving and transporting illicit substances. Both Sentinel Group as an organization and Jeff Caron as an individual can be liable.
• Government Agencies: New Hampshire government agencies often referred troubled youths to Mount Prospect Academy and other institutions for treatment. As such, they could be vicariously liable if the organization does not uphold legal standards. However, filing a lawsuit against the government often involves shorter statutes of limitations and higher burdens of proof. 

What Damages Can Sexually Abused Victims Recover?

Survivors can pursue both economic and non-economic damages in youth residential treatment center sexual abuse lawsuits. These can include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of future income
• Therapy and mental health services
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of normal life

How Long Do Child Sex Abuse Survivors Have to File Civil Lawsuits in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire lawmakers have acknowledged that a sexually abused person may take years to disclose, particularly if they had a past history of trauma or feared there would be consequences for telling anyone. 

As such, the state abolished the civil statute of limitations for sexual assault claims in 2020 (NH HB705). Survivors can file an intentional tort at any time, regardless of how long has passed since the sexual assault or abuse. 

How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help

Our firm is committed to helping survivors get closure and move forward with the funds they need to recover. As some of the Best Attorneys of America, we practice trauma-informed legal advocacy. We can provide the following services to you and your family, enabling you to start your journey to wholeness.

• Case Evaluation: We begin by learning more about the circumstances and assessing what types of damages you may be able to secure. Your initial consultation is free, confidential, and no-obligation. Everything you share with us is kept private, and we will communicate with third parties on your behalf. 
• Investigation: Sexual abuse cases are challenging because many survivors do not come forward until years after the incident, often due to fear or shame. However, our Super Lawyers will seek the truth through medical records, police reports, employee records, and witness statements.
• Protecting Confidentiality: Our attorneys will employ case law to ensure that your information remains confidential.
• Witness Interviews: Sharing your testimony can be overwhelming, but our compassionate attorneys are here to help. With over 100 years of experience, we will help you and other survivors discuss the incident and build a strong case.
• Negotiations: The purpose of a civil lawsuit is to recover funds that compensate the victim for the abuse they endured. We push for maximum compensation in all cases, utilizing our strong evidence and case precedent. 
• Trial Representation: While it is not always necessary to go to trial, we have an excellent track record of successful verdicts in cases like yours. We will share information with the defendants, file motions, and represent you in hearings, always ensuring that your comfort is prioritized. 

Book a Free Consultation

Vulnerable children deserve an environment free from physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Mount Prospect Academy and other organizations controlled by Sentinel refused to protect those under their care from sexual predators, leading to significant psychological and emotional damage. 

Our firm handles sexual abuse lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. You owe us nothing unless we earn compensation for you. A case review is free, no-obligation, and confidential. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation with a highly experienced and caring attorney. 

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.