Psychologist Maya Hayes, Accused of Rape and Sexual Abuse of Teens at NY Juvenile Center, Convicted of Sex Crime

July 8, 2025

A shrink known as “Big Foot” who was accused of raping and sexually abusing at least five victims at an upstate New York juvenile detention center has pleaded guilty to a criminal charge in the case.

Maya Hayes, 47, faces up to 2 1/2 years in state prison after pleading guilty June 25 to one felony count of criminal sexual act under a plea deal with Columbia County prosecutors.

[Psychcrime note: Hayes is not a psychiatrist but rather an associate psychologist, which is an unlicensed profession in the state of New York. Associates must work under the supervision of a license psychologist or other qualified clinician.]

Hayes could also be slapped with 10 years of post-release supervision and forced to register as a sex offender for a minimum of 20 years when she is sentenced in September, the Columbia District Attorney’s Office said.

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