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Image: Oregon Department of Human Services logo, courtesy of the Oregon Department of Human Services, via Wikimedia Commons. Fair use.
A 30-year-old woman with an intellectual disability was allegedly drugged and sexually abused by an employee at an Oregon state-operated group home, despite rules requiring her to be supervised by at least two staff members, the Oregonian reported.
Now, a $9 million lawsuit is asking how the abuse could have occurred in a locked facility where the woman’s care plan specifically prohibited her from being left alone with one employee.
The lawsuit, filed October 20 in Multnomah County Circuit Court, accuses the state of Oregon of negligence and sexual battery. It also alleges that staffing shortages and failures to follow safety procedures left the woman vulnerable to abuse.
Lawsuit Alleges Caregiver Groomed and Sexually Abused Resident
The woman, identified in court documents by the initials D.B., was living in a state Stabilization and Crisis Unit in Salem.
These facilities serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who need intensive support during periods of crisis.
According to the lawsuit, D.B.’s care plan required at least two staff members to supervise her at all times, including at least one woman.
But those requirements allegedly weren’t followed.
The complaint claims a male employee, working as a direct support crisis specialist, was sometimes left alone with D.B. overnight.
During those shifts, the employee allegedly groomed the woman through inappropriate physical contact and provided marijuana gummies and medications that weren’t prescribed to her.
The lawsuit alleges he sexually assaulted her at least three times in late 2024.
In one alleged incident, the employee sent another staff member away and prevented others from hearing what was happening inside D.B.’s room.
Sexual Abuse in an Oregon Care Facility?
Caregivers and residential facilities have a responsibility to protect the people entrusted to their care. If you or someone you love experienced sexual abuse in an Oregon care facility, learn more about your legal rights, filing deadlines and options for pursuing a civil claim.
Explore Our Oregon Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Guide →Sexual Assault Examination Leads to DNA Evidence
D.B. disclosed the alleged abuse in December 2024 and was taken to a hospital for a sexual assault examination.
According to the complaint, DNA evidence recovered during the examination matched the employee after police obtained a warrant for his DNA profile.
The employee was subsequently fired by the state, according to reporting by The Oregonian/OregonLive.
Oregon State Police are investigating the allegations. Capt. Chris Zohner confirmed that an initial report was forwarded to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office, although the criminal investigation remained open as of the lawsuit’s filing.
No criminal charges had been filed against the former employee as of October 20.
D.B. is now living with family members in Oregon.
Lawsuit Points to Broader Problems With Staffing and Supervision
The lawsuit names the Oregon Department of Human Services and former agency director Fariborz Pakseresht among the defendants.
According to the complaint, chronic understaffing, mandatory overtime and inadequate supervision contributed to conditions that allowed the alleged abuse to occur.
The lawsuit argues that these weren’t isolated problems.
Employees and their union representatives had previously raised concerns about staffing shortages, worker injuries and burnout at Oregon’s stabilization and crisis facilities.
The Oregon Department of Human Services declined to comment on the allegations, citing the pending lawsuit.
The complaint seeks $9 million in damages, including enhanced damages requested under Oregon law for the alleged abuse of a vulnerable person.
Oregon’s State Crisis Facilities Face Overhaul
The lawsuit comes as Oregon is working to restructure its Stabilization and Crisis Unit system.
In June 2025, state lawmakers directed the Department of Human Services to develop a plan to improve the facilities, reduce lengthy stays and bring the program into compliance with federal home- and community-based services requirements.
The agency originally faced a September 30, 2026, deadline to submit its operational plan.
That deadline has since been extended to January 8, 2027, to allow additional input from residents, families, guardians, employees and community partners.
The first phase of the overhaul is scheduled to begin by July 1, 2027.
The redesign addresses the broader operation of the state’s crisis care system, not specifically the sexual abuse allegations in D.B.’s lawsuit.
