Amended Lawsuit Accuses Indiana Youth Residential Psych Program of Years of Abuse and Exploitation

June 25, 2026

A federal lawsuit against an Indiana residential program for teenage girls has expanded dramatically, with 35 women now alleging they were subjected to years of abuse, forced labor, and coercive practices while attending what was formerly known as Central Indiana Teen Challenge, now operating as Refuge Girls Academy in Lebanon, Indiana.

The amended complaint, filed in federal court, adds 26 new plaintiffs to an earlier lawsuit that originally involved nine former residents. According to the lawsuit, the alleged abuse occurred between 2011 and 2024 and reflects a long-running pattern of mistreatment rather than isolated incidents. Attorneys representing the women say they have interviewed more than 100 former residents, family members, and staff members since the original lawsuit was filed earlier this year.

The lawsuit describes a highly restrictive environment in which basic necessities—including access to bathrooms, food, sleep, conversation, and even eye contact—were allegedly treated as privileges that staff could remove as punishment. Several plaintiffs claim they were prohibited from speaking for weeks or even months at a time, while others allege they were denied restroom access for extended periods, forcing some girls to urinate in sinks.

Former residents also describe physically demanding disciplinary practices. According to the complaint, girls were allegedly required to perform strenuous exercise in extreme heat despite illness, run for long periods without water, or carry heavy backpacks filled with canned goods as punishment. One plaintiff alleges she was transported across state lines while restrained with a leash and weighted shoes after being removed from her home during the night. Another claims she was subjected to what the lawsuit characterizes as an exorcism-like religious ritual involving repeated forced submersion of her head into buckets of water, leaving her bruised and physically ill.

Attorneys also contend the girls were subjected to extensive unpaid labor, including cleaning, landscaping, maintenance work, and fundraising activities that benefited the organization. The complaint alleges residents were required to perform physically demanding work under the threat of punishment and that religious teachings were used to reinforce obedience. According to the lawsuit, staff told residents their suffering reflected "God's will" and that questioning program rules amounted to questioning God.

The plaintiffs argue the alleged practices amounted to systemic abuse rather than misconduct by individual employees. Their attorneys say the consistency of the accounts provided by former residents over many years points to institutional policies and a culture of coercion. They further note that Teen Challenge programs operate across the country, making the allegations significant beyond a single Indiana facility.

The organization has denied the allegations. Attorney Jeffrey Roberts, representing Indiana Teen Challenge, said the amended complaint was expected after publicity surrounding the original lawsuit encouraged additional former residents to come forward. He stated that the organization denies wrongdoing, intends to challenge the claims in court, and believes the allegations remain unproven. Roberts said the defendants were preparing to seek dismissal of the original lawsuit before the amended complaint was filed and plan to continue their defense through the legal process.

The lawsuit is one of several recent legal actions targeting residential youth treatment programs across the country. As litigation proceeds, the plaintiffs hope their claims will bring greater public attention to conditions within the troubled-teen industry and encourage additional former residents to come forward with their experiences.

Source: Kara Kenney, "35 women file new lawsuit against faith-based Lebanon program for girls," WRTV, June 17, 2026.