The Yost Legal Group Archives

Uber Sexual Assault Trial Puts Safety Under Scrutiny

Posted on January 21, 2026 by Loni Liss

Exploring the Legal Battle Over Uber’s Background Checks, Ignored Complaints, and the Fight for Corporate Accountability in Rideshare Assault Cases

For years, survivors of Uber sexual assault by Uber drivers have come forward with eerily similar stories. They have talked about trusting the app. They believed Uber’s claims of thorough background checks. And also trusted Uber’s promises of safety.

Sadly, they were harmed by the very drivers Uber hired and kept on the road. Now, that long-running pattern of failing to protect its customers is headed for a courtroom reckoning.

In Arizona, Uber is facing a sexual assault trial that places its safety record squarely under judicial scrutiny. This is not just one case of a sexual assault claim about one driver. It is a bellwether trial tied to thousands of lawsuits across the country alleging that Uber knew riders were being sexually assaulted by drivers and failed to act.

For victims of sexual assault, this trial represents something rare: corporate accountability.

If you or someone you know was sexually assaulted while using a ride share app like Lyft or Uber, please reach out. You can contact the caring sexual assault lawyers at The Yost Legal Group for help. You will receive a free and confidential consultation today by calling 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529). We will help you understand your rights and seek the justice you deserve.

A Trial That Could Expose Uber’s Internal Safety Failures

The Arizona case centers on allegations that an Uber driver sexually assaulted a female passenger after she booked a ride through the app. Uber’s defense follows a familiar script.

The company argues that drivers are independent contractors, so the company cannot be held responsible for their crimes. Uber claims the assaults are tragic, but isolated. Plaintiffs argue otherwise.

They allege Uber had years of notice that sexual assaults by drivers were not rare accidents, but a predictable outcome of weak screening, lax oversight, and corporate decisions that prioritized growth over passenger safety.

The Arizona trial will allow jurors to examine Uber’s internal practices, safety data, and choices in a way that few cases ever reach.

The stakes are enormous. This trial is widely viewed as a test case for more than 3,000 similar lawsuits consolidated in federal court. What happens in Arizona could shape the future of rideshare sexual assault litigation nationwide.

The Uber & Lyft sexual assault lawyers at The Yost Legal Group are watching closely as we continue to accept cases for survivors.

Uber’s Sexual Assault Problem Was Never a Secret

Uber’s own data tells a disturbing story. Uber received many reports of sexual assault and misconduct. These reports came from internal records related to lawsuits and investigations. The number of reports reached hundreds of thousands over several years.

At one point, reports were coming in at nearly one every 8 minutes in the United States alone, according to The New York Times.

Yet publicly, Uber released far narrower “safety reports” that dramatically understated the scope of the problem. Survivors say those reports gave the impression that assaults were rare, while internal systems tracked a far broader and more troubling reality.

This gap matters. When a company knows of a danger and downplays it, the issue is no longer bad luck. It becomes negligence.

Negligent Hiring: Background Checks Built to Miss Red Flags

One of the central allegations in rideshare sexual assault cases is negligent hiring. Uber advertises background checks as a safety feature. But reporting and court filings show those checks are often name-based, limited in geographic scope, and constrained by short lookback periods.

“Uber customized the rules that Check [the background check company] uses to review and report criminal records, including how far back to check for offenses, according to Uber’s agreement with Checkr.”

In many states, violent felony convictions older than seven years do not automatically disqualify a driver in Uber’s ruleset despite research showing prior violent conduct is a strong predictor of future harm.

Uber does not require in-person interviews. It does not conduct reference checks. It does not mandate psychological screening. And, until 2018, it did not consistently re-screen drivers as they continued working on the platform.

As a result, drivers with histories of assault, child abuse, stalking, or domestic violence were allowed to transport passengers. In some cases, those drivers later went on to commit sexual assaults during Uber rides.

From a legal perspective, this is critical. Companies have a duty to use reasonable care when placing people in positions of trust. Especially when those positions involve isolating passengers in vehicles late at night, often under the influence of alcohol, with no witnesses present.

If you were sexually abused during a Lyft or Uber ride, you may be entitled to significant compensation. In sexual assault cases, there is no time to delay. After you seek medical attention, The Yost Legal Group will be here to help you take the next step to get the justice you deserve. Call or text today at 410-659-6800.

Ignored Complaints and Drivers Kept on the Road

Negligent hiring is only part of the picture. Survivors, lawsuits, and a recent comprehensive report from The New York Times all allege negligent retention.

Investigations have shown that Uber often kept drivers active on the platform even after receiving complaints of sexual misconduct. Some drivers were accused of inappropriate touching, sexual comments, or predatory behavior.

They were allowed to continue driving after receiving warnings or “education,” rather than being suspended or removed.

In several cases highlighted in litigation, early complaints escalated into later assaults. Red flags were logged. Patterns were visible. But decisive action was delayed or never taken.

Uber has said it requires corroboration before permanently removing drivers. Survivors argue this standard ignores the reality of sexual assault.

Most assaults occur without witnesses. Many survivors are traumatized, fearful, or unsure how to report. Demanding proof at the earliest warning stage leaves riders exposed.

From a survivor-centric lens, this failure is devastating. It sends a clear message to survivors that their allegations and concerns are not credible.

As a result, Uber has allowed harm to continue, with dangerous drivers remaining behind the wheel and on the roads while operating on its platform.

Challenging the “Independent Contractor” Defense

Uber’s legal strategy relies heavily on the classification of drivers as “independent contractors.” The company argues it cannot be held vicariously liable for criminal acts committed by drivers.

This defense has worked in at least one case when, in October 2025, a California jury cleared Uber of liability for a driver’s sexual assault of a passenger.

But the lawsuits in the Arizona trial and the broader MDL do not hinge solely on vicarious liability. They focus on Uber’s own conduct.

Plaintiffs argue Uber designed the system. Uber controlled access to riders and dictated who could drive, how rides were assigned, and how complaints were handled.

Uber allegedly knew about the dangers posed by its negligent hiring and retention practices and failed to implement reasonable safeguards.

When a company creates a foreseeable risk and fails to address it, labeling workers as “contractors” does not absolve the company of its responsibility.

That legal question about how far Uber’s duty extends will be front and center in the Arizona trial.

Why This Trial Matters to Survivors Everywhere

For survivors, this trial is about more than damages. It is about truth. Additionally, it’s about forcing a powerful corporation to explain why safety measures were delayed, optional, or abandoned.

It will force Uber to answer why internal data painted a far darker picture than public reports and why drivers accused of assault were allowed to keep driving. Courtroom scrutiny can do what internal policies did not: force change.

Every survivor who steps forward helps expose patterns that companies prefer to keep hidden. And every trial chips away at the narrative that these assaults are unavoidable or unforeseeable when it is clear that they are not.

Legal Options for Uber Sexual Assault Survivors

Survivors of sexual assault involving Uber drivers may have the right to pursue civil claims against the company even if criminal charges were never filed or did not result in a conviction.

Civil cases focus on accountability and safety failures, not proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Claims may involve negligent hiring, negligent supervision, failure to warn, and failure to protect passengers from known risks. Many cases are now part of coordinated federal litigation aimed at addressing systemic wrongdoing.

Time limits apply, and evidence matters. Preserving ride data, communications, medical records, and witness information can be critical.

Speaking with a trauma-informed attorney who understands rideshare litigation can help survivors make informed decisions without pressure.

Contact The Yost Legal Group Today

At The Yost Legal Group law firm, we represent survivors of sexual abuse with care, respect, and dignity. We understand how difficult it is to stand up and speak up. Our rideshare sexual assault attorneys understand how large corporations use silence and complexity to avoid accountability.

They’ll use their vast reserves of influence, money, and power to squash anyone who might dare to oppose them. A rideshare sexual assault lawyer will explain the legal process and how to file a claim for seeking compensation.

The Arizona trial underscores what survivors have been saying for years: this was not a series of isolated incidents. It was a systemic failure. Let us continue to expose Lyft, Uber, and any other ride-sharing company’s wrongful negligence.

If you were sexually assaulted by an Uber driver, seek legal help. You are not alone. If you are ready to speak to an experienced Uber sexual assault attorney, we are here to listen. Your voice deserves to be heard.

Justice begins by telling the truth. We are here. We believe you, and we will fight for you. Call or text the experienced sexual assault survivor lawyers at The Yost Legal Group today: 410-659-6800.

Personal Injury Lawyer Sexual Assault – How To Report Uber Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault Lawyer Near Me – Sexual Assault Attorney Maryland – Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit

The Hidden Dangers of Gaming Apps: Roblox Lawsuit

Posted on January 5, 2026January 5, 2026 by Loni Liss

Online Predators Are Targeting America’s Children

Roblox is one of the most popular online gaming platforms in the world, with tens of millions of daily users. Many of them are young children and teenagers. On the surface, Roblox looks like harmless fun: kids build worlds, play games with friends, and express their creativity. But under the surface lies a dark element of child predators seeking out innocence.

Behind the bright colors and cartoon avatars lies a much darker reality. Increasingly, parents are discovering that their children have been groomed, sexually exploited, and bullied. Others have been pushed toward self-harm through interactions on Roblox and related platforms like Discord.

Lawsuits and investigations are shining a light on how dangerous these online spaces can be when safety protections fail. The Yost Legal Group is actively investigating and representing victims and families in Roblox child sexual abuse and exploitation cases.

How Online Predators Use Roblox to Target Children

Online predators are skilled at hiding in plain sight. On Roblox, they often pose as other kids or friendly older teens. They use features that are meant for social interaction—like chat, friend requests, private messages, and game invitations—to identify and groom vulnerable children. Some common tactics include:

Building trust over time

Predators may start with innocent small talk: favorite games, school, hobbies. They act supportive and kind, slowly becoming a “trusted friend” in the child’s online world.

Moving conversations off platform

Once a connection is established, predators often encourage children to move to other apps like Discord, Snapchat, or private messaging. This makes it harder for parents to monitor and easier for predators to escalate their behavior.

Introducing sexual content and “secrets.”

After building trust, predators may start sending sexual messages, images, or links. They might pressure the child to send explicit photos or videos, or to perform sexual acts on camera. They often frame this as a “secret” that must be kept from parents.

Coercion, threats, and blackmail (sextortion)

In some cases, predators threaten to share embarrassing images or chat logs with friends and family if the child doesn’t comply. This “sextortion” can trap children in a cycle of fear and silence.

Tell Your Children Never to Arrange In-Person Meetings

The most dangerous cases involve predators convincing children to meet in person. These meetings can lead to sexual assault, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. Law firms and news outlets have documented numerous cases where children were groomed and exploited through Roblox and related platforms.

For example, lawsuits have alleged that Roblox and Discord failed to protect a 15-year-old boy who was groomed online and later died by suicide. The fact is that extremist and predatory groups use these platforms to target vulnerable youth.

Lawsuits claim Roblox’s design and safety failures allow predators to find, groom, and abuse children.

Emotional Harm, Self-Harm, and Suicide Risks of the Roblox App

The harm is not limited to physical and sexual abuse. Children who are groomed, exploited, or relentlessly bullied online can suffer severe emotional trauma, depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

Recent lawsuits and media reports have described heartbreaking stories of young people who died by suicide after being manipulated, threatened, or humiliated through online platforms, including Roblox and associated chat tools. Parents often had no idea what was happening until it was too late.

When a child is told they will be exposed, shamed, or that their family will be hurt if they speak up, they may feel trapped and hopeless. This is why early detection, open communication, and strong safety measures are critical.

Why Platforms Like Roblox Must Do More

Roblox and similar gaming platforms know that a huge portion of their user base is under 18. That reality should come with the highest level of responsibility and safety protections.

Yet many lawsuits and investigations allege that these companies:

Failed to adequately screen, monitor, and remove predators
Allowed unsafe or sexually explicit content to remain accessible to minors
Did not provide sufficient parental controls, transparency, or warnings
Put growth and profits ahead of meaningful child protection

Roblox sexual abuse and grooming claims have argued that the platform’s design and moderation systems allowed predators to exploit children through chat, friend features, and user-generated games.

Other legal actions and regulatory investigations have accused the company of downplaying risks and failing to implement robust safeguards, even after repeated warnings.

Children are not just “users” or “players”—they are vulnerable human beings who deserve protection. When companies fail to take reasonable steps to keep kids safe, they should be held accountable.

Age Verification on Roblox Gaming App

On November 18, 2025, Roblox Corp. announced that it would make facial age verification mandatory for users to access its chat features. If one does not intend to communicate on the platform, they do not have to undergo the age check. Upon age verification, users will be able to chat with people in similar age ranges. Roblox argues that this feature will prevent children and adults from interacting in inappropriate ways.

Despite the implementation of this new feature, the platform still contains several loopholes that allow inappropriate content and communication to persist. For instance, there is a “Trusted Connection” feature which allows family members (parents, siblings, etc) and other self-identified trusted members to play together. The implication is that these connections are safe, and thus the feature lacks content filters for inappropriate language, images, etc., when it is activated. However, even those considered “trusted” can interact inappropriately.

Therefore, parents and caregivers should continue to monitor all communications of their child on this platform to prevent harm.

Warning Signs Parents Should Watch For

Parents and caregivers are the first line of defense. While no system is perfect, being alert to changes in your child’s behavior and online habits can make a critical difference.

Warning signs may include:

Sudden secrecy around devices
Your child quickly switches screens, hides their phone, or becomes defensive when you walk into the room.
New “friends” you don’t recognize
Your child talks about online friends you’ve never met, especially older teens or adults, or refuses to share basic information about them.
Changes in mood or behavior
Increased anxiety, depression, irritability, nightmares, or withdrawal from family and offline friends.
Unexplained gifts or money
Your child suddenly has new items, gift cards, or digital purchases they can’t explain.
Sexualized language or knowledge beyond their age
Use of explicit terms, images, or behaviors that seem far beyond what’s age-appropriate.
Fear of consequences if they “tell.”
Statements like “I can’t tell you, something bad will happen,” or visible panic when you mention checking their accounts.

Any one of these signs does not automatically mean your child is being groomed, but they are important red flags that warrant gentle, open conversation and closer monitoring.

How Parents Can Monitor or Block Roblox

If your child uses Roblox—or if you’re concerned they might access it without your knowledge—there are concrete steps you can take:

Use Roblox’s parental controls

Create your own parent account and link it to your child’s account.
Enable Account Restrictions to limit what types of games they can access.
Turn on Privacy settings to restrict who can message, chat, or join games with your child.
Regularly review their friends list, chat history (where available), and game history.

Set device-level controls

Use built-in parental controls on phones, tablets, computers, and gaming consoles to restrict app downloads, set time limits, and block specific apps or websites.
Consider third-party parental control software that can monitor online activity and block dangerous sites.

Block or limit access to Roblox

If you decide that Roblox is not appropriate for your child, you can block the website on your home router or with parental control software.
Remove the app from devices your child uses and ensure app store settings require your approval for new downloads.

Keep devices in shared spaces

Encourage gaming and internet use in common areas of the home rather than behind closed doors.
Avoid allowing young children to have unrestricted internet access late at night.

Talk openly and often

Explain in age-appropriate language that not everyone online is who they say they are.
Make it clear that your child can always come to you, without punishment, if someone online makes them uncomfortable, asks for pictures, or wants to meet in person.
Reinforce that no secret with an online “friend” is more important than their safety.

Has Your Child Been Abused by a Roblox Predator?

In many cases, you may be able to pursue a civil claim against Roblox and other responsible parties for failing to protect your child. An experienced child abuse lawyer will answer your questions about filing a Roblox gaming lawsuit.

How The Yost Legal Group Can Help

The Yost Legal Group is representing victims of Roblox-related child sexual abuse, grooming, and exploitation. Our law firm has a long history of standing up for vulnerable individuals and families harmed by powerful corporations and institutions.

If your child has suffered any of the following, please contact our law firm for help.

The child was coerced into meeting an adult whom they had met online
A minor was sexually assaulted by someone they met through Roblox
Bullied, harassed, or pushed toward self-harm or suicide through online interactions
Pressured to send explicit images or videos, which led to severe trauma

You may have a claim against Roblox and other responsible companies.

We understand how painful and overwhelming these situations are. Our team approaches every case with compassion and privacy to seek justice and accountability.

You can contact The Yost Legal Group for a free, confidential consultation at (800)-YOST-LAW or (800) 967-8529. There are no fees or expenses unless we recover compensation for you.

If you believe Roblox or another gaming platform played a role in your child’s abuse or exploitation, reach out today. Learn about your options and how we can help protect your family and others from similar harm.

Roblox Suicide – Gaming Apps Lawsuit – Filing a Lawsuit

Sexual Abuse of a Minor Lawyer – Gaming Apps Lawyer – Sexual Predation

Neonatal Resuscitation and Birth Injuries

Posted on December 17, 2025 by Loni Liss

Most babies transition from being in utero to breathing room air on their own as soon as they are born. However, about 10% of newborns require some assistance with breathing, and of that 10%, fewer than 1% require extensive neonatal resuscitation measures.

The equipment and the medical team members trained to resuscitate newborns are required in every hospital’s labor and delivery department.

Although only 10% of newborn babies require neonatal resuscitation, meaning only 10% of parents have this experience, it is worth describing here in some detail.

It is quite common that parents are not given an explanation of the medical procedures their baby has received if newborn resuscitation was performed.

When does a newborn need neonatal resuscitation?

If a newborn baby is having any difficulty breathing or has a heart rate that is too low, emergency steps are immediately taken. The intention is to stabilize the infant so that the baby receives sufficient oxygen and has a strong, regular heartbeat.

Medical professionals want to reduce the risk of hypoxic (oxygen deficiency) injury to the baby’s brain.

Resuscitation of a newborn occurs in several steps, from least to most invasive, and typically begins within the first minute of life. Less than 1% of babies who need resuscitation need the most invasive procedures.

What are the first steps taken to resuscitate a newborn?

The first steps taken to treat a baby who needs help breathing are focused on:

Keeping the baby warm
Opening the baby’s airway
If necessary, advancing to the equivalent of CPR by providing positive pressure ventilation (PPV) to help the baby breathe and performing chest compressions if the heart rate remains too low (under 60 beats per minute).

Warmth: The baby is placed on a heated surface or under a radiant warmer to prevent an uncontrolled drop in body temperature (hypothermia) that might further slow the baby’s heart rate and breathing.

Positioning: Once on a warm surface, the baby’s head and neck are positioned to open the baby’s airway to optimize full respiration.

Suctioning: Clearing the baby’s mouth and nose with a bulb syringe or a suction catheter may be needed to remove fluid blocking the baby’s airway.

Breathing: Providing positive pressure ventilation (PPV) with a bag and mask or a CPAP device, for example, inflates the lungs to help breathing if the baby is still struggling after suctioning.

Chest compressions: If the heart rate remains below 60 beats per minute after PPV ventilation is established, chest compressions are administered.

What are the advanced steps taken to resuscitate a newborn?

In less than 1% of newborns who do not respond to the initial resuscitation procedures, advanced interventions are undertaken:

Intubation: An endotracheal tube may be inserted to establish a secure and reliable airway.

Epinephrine: If the heart rate remains low despite ventilation and chest compressions, epinephrine or a similar medication may be administered through an IV.

What care does a baby receive after neonatal resuscitation?

Monitoring – A baby who has been resuscitated at the time of birth will have their heart rate, breathing, and oxygen saturation rate closely monitored, once they are transferred from the delivery room to the nursery or the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Body temperature control – The baby will be regularly checked to confirm that their body temperature is normal and that they are not having difficulty maintaining it. Any baby having trouble regulating body temperature will need immediate additional medical care to stabilize it.
Further evaluation – After resuscitation, it may be necessary for the baby to undergo additional observation, testing, and monitoring to find the primary cause of the baby’s breathing difficulty and any other complications at the time of birth.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy and Newborn Resuscitation

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is not diagnosed because the baby required resuscitation at the time of birth. Still, neonatal resuscitation can be an early indication that a baby suffered a hypoxic brain injury from a lack of oxygen during labor and delivery.

HIE newborns may experience difficulty breathing, a slow heart rate, and a dusky, bluish color, all of which can result in the need for immediate resuscitation.

A need for newborn resuscitation does not mean that a baby has suffered brain damage or that medical malpractice has occurred.

Neonatal resuscitation, followed by an HIE or cerebral palsy diagnosis, does mean the baby’s labor and delivery history should be examined to determine whether medical mistakes were made.

If your child was diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, let our birth injury attorneys help you find answers.

We invite you to reach out for a Free Consultation to discuss your unique situation in a caring, confidential environment. Call The Yost Legal Group at 1-800-YOST-LAW (1-800-967-8529) today.

Should I contact a birth injury law firm if my child needed to be resuscitated at birth?

You should consider contacting a birth injury attorney as soon as possible if:

Your baby had signs of distress or injury (like seizures, difficulty breathing, or needing to be resuscitated in the delivery room).
Your baby had low Apgar scores.
You suspect that something went wrong during labor or delivery, or you have concerns about the medical care you or your baby received.
Your baby has been diagnosed with a condition like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), cerebral palsy, or another birth-related injury.

How The Yost Legal Group Birth Injury Lawyers Can Help.

Free Consultation: We offer a complimentary case review to discuss your concerns, review your potential case, and address any questions you may have about your baby’s resuscitation at the time of birth.
Medical Record Review: Our team will carefully review the medical records and help determine whether a medical mistake occurred during labor and delivery.
Expert Insights: We collaborate with medical experts to assess whether the care provided met accepted standards of care and if any preventable factors were involved.
No Upfront Fees: The Yost Legal Group works on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you.

If a medical mistake was made, our HIE lawyers will work to secure a lifetime of care for your child.

You can reach The Yost Legal Group by calling (800)-YOST-LAW for more information. If we file a birth injury claim on your behalf, we will fight to seek the justice and compensation you deserve.

Talk to Experienced Birth Injury Lawyers at The Yost Legal Group

If your baby needed neonatal resuscitation, it’s normal to have questions about what happened in the delivery room—and what it could mean for your child’s future.

In some situations, complications tied to oxygen deprivation can lead to an HIE diagnosis, and families may later notice developmental delays that impact child development over time.

If you’re worried that mistakes during labor, delivery, or newborn care played a role, you don’t have to sort through the medical details alone.

The Yost Legal Group has experienced birth injury lawyers who can answer your questions, review your records, and explain your options.

Every birth injury case is different, but getting clarity early can be an important first step—whether you’re simply seeking information or considering a birth injury lawsuit.

If you’re ready to talk, contact The Yost Legal Group for a free case review to discuss your concerns and learn how they may be able to help.

If your infant was diagnosed with HIE or cerebral palsy and you want answers, contact The Yost Legal Group at (800)-YOST-LAW.

Birth Asphyxia – Therapeutic Hypothermia For HIE – Neonatal Brain Injury

Why Matthew Schlegel’s “Not Guilty” Doesn’t Mean No Accountability

Posted on October 7, 2025October 7, 2025 by Loni Liss

When we hear the words “not guilty,” some may assume that means the criminal case is closed and nothing further can be done. But in the context of alleged child sex abuse by former third-grade math teacher Matthew Schlegel, “not guilty” in a courtroom doesn’t necessarily mean he can walk away without accountability.

One way he can be held accountable is through Title IX—a system built not on criminal punishment, but on protecting survivors and ensuring safe educational environments.

In fact, he was initially found responsible for violating Anne Arundel County Public School’s Nondiscrimination Policy for Sexual Assault for sexual abuse allegations, as a preponderance of the evidence supported this determination. Schlegel is appealing this decision.

According to news reports from August 2025, Schlegel is not assigned to a classroom for the 2025-2026 school year but has been assigned to a location with no students.

Title IX Isn’t About Jail Time—It’s About Safety

Unlike a criminal trial, Title IX proceedings are not about proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Instead, schools use the preponderance of the evidence standard—meaning investigators ask: is it more likely than not that misconduct or abuse occurred?

This lower standard exists for a reason: school sexual abuse and assault are often underreported, difficult to prove in a criminal setting, and deeply disruptive to a survivor’s ability to learn.

A teacher’s harmful actions, even if not rising to the level of a criminal conviction, can create a hostile and disrupted environment for a child.

Title IX requires schools to act before that harm silences survivors or pushes them out of their education.

Why Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse Need a Different System

Criminal courts fail many survivors. The overwhelming majority of sexual assaults never lead to a conviction. High evidentiary standards and systemic biases often leave survivors with no legal recognition of what they endured.
Education is the priority. Survivors have a right to education in an environment free from intimidation, retaliation, or trauma triggers. Title IX ensures that their ability to learn isn’t treated as collateral damage.
Patterns of harm matter. Title IX can examine broader behaviors—unwanted touching, verbal harassment, coercion—that might not be “criminal” but still undermine a survivor’s safety and dignity.

Accountability Isn’t Always a Courtroom Verdict

For survivors, “not guilty” in a criminal matter doesn’t erase the harm done. Title IX provides another path—one that acknowledges that safety and equality in education matter more than whether something can be prosecuted as a crime.

Accountability under Title IX can lead to a wide range of accommodations for a child, ensuring they have access to education.

These aren’t punishments in the criminal sense—they’re safeguards. They ensure that survivors aren’t forced to share classrooms with someone who has caused them harm.

Centering Survivors in the Process

Shifting the focus back to survivors reminds us of the core truth: survivors should not have to carry the burden of leaving school, changing classes, or living in fear while pursuing their education.

Title IX exists to rebalance that scale.

Unreported and Unaddressed: Child Sexual Abuse in Maryland’s School System

Child sexual abuse in schools is a deeply troubling issue that affects communities across Maryland, with both national and local data highlighting its prevalence.

According to the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA), while comprehensive data on K-12 schools is limited, research shows that more than 1 in 8 students experience sexual assault during their college years.

The rates in K-12 settings are harder to quantify, but national statistics suggest that 1 in 9 girls and 1 in 53 boys under the age of 18 experience sexual abuse or assault at the hands of an adult.

In Maryland, the issue is significant enough that the state regularly updates its policies and reporting requirements for schools and youth-serving organizations.

A 2021 MCASA fact sheet notes that the vast majority of child sexual abuse goes unreported, with only about 38% of child victims disclosing the abuse, and even fewer cases leading to criminal charges or convictions.

Addressing Sexual Abuse in Maryland’s Educational Institutions

The impacts of Child Sex Abuse are devastating and long-lasting. It contributes to mental health challenges such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety.

Recent testimony to the Maryland General Assembly recounted the experience of a survivor abused at The Heights School. The survivor developed severe depression and PTSD as a result of the abuse and institutional neglect.

Maryland has seen several high-profile cases in recent years, including lawsuits against private schools where administrators failed to act on reports of abuse.

In one case, the Key School in Annapolis faced allegations of a “wider pattern of serialized child abuse” that went unaddressed for years. This further underscores the urgent need for transparency and reform in school environments.

For more detailed statistics and survivor stories:

MCASA Fact Sheet: Incidence of Child Sexual Abuse in Maryland
National Statistics on Child Abuse (National Children’s Alliance)
Maryland Child Victims Act

Final Thoughts from The Yost Legal Group in Baltimore

A “not guilty” verdict in court may end a legal battle, but it doesn’t mean there was no harm—or that survivors should have to navigate unsafe environments alone.

Title IX steps in where the criminal system falls short. It ensures that schools uphold their responsibility to:

protect students
safeguard education
provide survivors with the right to continue learning without fear.

The Yost Legal Group assists victims of sexual abuse in many ways. Our sexual abuse attorneys work hard to protect children. We help seek compensation through the civil justice system and Title IX proceedings.

Just as The Yost Legal Group helped children navigate the Title IX process related to Matthew Schlegel, we can help you, too.

Child Sexual Abuse Lawyers – Molestation Claims – Baltimore Abuse Attorneys – Child Sex Abuse

Baltimore Abuse Claims – Teacher Sexual Abuse Claims – Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Former Dundalk Pastor Arrested on Child Sex Abuse Charges

Posted on September 22, 2025 by Loni Liss

Baltimore County officials just announced the arrest of former Dundalk pastor Walter Sevillano on charges related to child sex abuse. According to publicly available online court records cited in local reporting, Sevillano faces two counts of fourth-degree sex offense and one count of sex abuse of a minor.

Police say the alleged conduct occurred between 2023 and 2025 at both his Baltimore County residence and at the church where he previously served as pastor.

Baltimore County Police identified the congregation as Iglesia Cristiana Sanidad Divina — translated as Divine Healing Christian Church — a bilingual ministry that has offered services online and at a physical location in Dundalk.

As reports note, church representatives declined to comment, and Sevillano did not respond to requests for comment.

At the time of the article in the Baltimore Banner, no defense attorney was listed in the court docket. Records indicate he was being held at the Harford County Detention Center before posting a $10,000 bond and being released on Friday. The investigation remains ongoing.

Baltimore County Arrest Highlights Ongoing Institutional Abuse Risks

The arrest adds to a broader trend Baltimore County authorities have observed in recent years: allegations of child sexual abuse involving religious leaders, educators, and youth sports personnel.

While each case must be adjudicated on its own facts and the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law, the pattern underscores a painful reality — institutional settings that serve children can be exploited by those who intend harm.

For survivors and families in Maryland, it is essential to understand the legal options available today, including the powerful protections afforded by the Maryland Child Victims Act.

Who is Walter Sevillano, and what do we know from public reports?

Role: Former pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Sanidad Divina in Dundalk, a bilingual Christian ministry with in-person and online services.

Allegations and charges: Online court records reflect charges of sex abuse of a minor and two counts of fourth-degree sex offense tied to incidents alleged to have taken place between 2023 and 2025, both at the church and at a Baltimore County home.

Current status: Records indicate Sevillano now lives in Abingdon, Maryland. He was held at the Harford County Detention Center before release on a $10,000 bond. At the time of the news report, no attorney was listed for him, and the church provided no comment.

As the case proceeds, additional information may become available about the timeline, any prior complaints, institutional responses, and investigative findings.

For now, what is clear is that Maryland law recognizes the unique dynamics of sexual abuse, including the complex, often delayed process of disclosure.

A troubling trend: Religious, academic, and youth sports child molestation cases surface across Baltimore County

Delayed disclosure is common and a big reason why the laws changed. Survivors of child sexual abuse frequently delay disclosure well into adulthood.

Shame, fear of not being believed, grooming by a trusted authority figure, religious or cultural pressure, and trauma-related memory processes can prevent a survivor from coming forward for years or even decades.

Recognizing these realities, Maryland enacted the Child Victims Act, removing the civil statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Put simply, adults of any age who were abused as children in Maryland can bring civil claims against the institutions that enabled or failed to prevent the abuse, and where appropriate, their abusers.

How prevalent is institutional child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church?

Investigations across the United States and in Maryland have documented widespread abuse. There have been systemic institutional failures in the Catholic Church for many decades.

Public reporting in Maryland has identified thousands of victims and numerous credibly accused clergy associated with church institutions.

Multiple newsrooms and governmental bodies have published databases and reports that detail the scope and patterns of abuse, transfers of clergy, and institutional responses.

While the present arrest involves a pastor of a Christian congregation not identified as part of the Catholic Church, the broader discussion of institutional abuse is relevant.

Survivors from many faith traditions and institutional settings — Catholic, Protestant, non-denominational, schools, camps, and youth sports — have reported similar grooming tactics, breaches of trust, and long-term trauma.

This is not an issue confined to a single denomination. It is a public safety and public health crisis that demands transparency, accountability, and survivor-centered justice.

What the Maryland Child Victims Act means for survivors of Child Sex Abuse

No civil time limit: The law allows adults of any age to file civil lawsuits for child sexual abuse that occurred in Maryland. Claims that were previously “time-barred” may now proceed.

Institutional accountability: In addition to claims against the individual perpetrator, survivors may have claims against institutions that employed or supervised the abuser, or that failed to take reasonable steps to protect children once they knew or should have known about risks.

Your voice matters, regardless of criminal charges: Civil cases can proceed even if criminal charges are never filed or cannot be brought due to different standards of proof or prosecutorial discretion.

Trauma-informed process: The civil system can provide monetary compensation for harms as well as the discovery process that may uncover how and why institutional failures occurred. For many survivors, accountability and validation are as important as compensation.

Next steps for Maryland survivors considering legal action

Document your memories and evidence.

Write down what you recall: Names, locations, approximate dates, people you told at the time. Any details about the environment or grooming tactics. Keep any journals, emails, letters, photographs, yearbooks, or program rosters that may corroborate access and opportunity.

Consider counseling. A trauma-informed therapist can offer support during disclosure and during the legal decision-making process.

Speak with an experienced legal team. A law firm that regularly handles institutional child sexual abuse cases in Maryland can assess the facts. They can explain legal options under the Child Victims Act and protect your privacy.

You are in control. Talking to a lawyer does not obligate you to file a case. You decide if, when, and how to proceed. Your safety and well-being come first.

A note on presumption of innocence and survivor support

In any criminal matter, the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. That legal principle coexists with a survivor-centered approach that treats those who report abuse with dignity, seriousness, and support.

The courts resolve criminal guilt, while civil law and trauma-informed care give survivors avenues to seek justice and healing.

The Yost Legal Group’s commitment to Maryland survivors of Child Sex Abuse

The Yost Legal Group has long represented survivors of institutional child sexual abuse in Maryland. Our team understands the courage it takes to come forward and the need for privacy, respect, and steady guidance.

We conduct sensitive investigations, collaborate with trauma-informed professionals, and pursue accountability from both individuals and institutions responsible for harm.

We offer free, confidential consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. There are no fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Were you abused as a child in Maryland? You can come forward at any age under the Maryland Child Victims Act. You have options, and you have support. Whether the abuse occurred in a church, school, youth program, or other setting, you can seek justice.

Contact The Yost Legal Group today for a confidential consultation:

Phone: (800)-YOST-LAW or (800-967-8529)

Text: 1-410-659-6800

Website: https://www.yostlaw.com/

You are not alone. Your story matters. In Maryland, the law now provides a path for you to be heard and seek justice.

Child Sex Abuse – Maryland Child Victims Act – Institutional Child Sexual Abuse

Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries: Legal Guidance Matters

Posted on September 15, 2025 by Loni Liss

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are life-changing events that can have lasting physical, emotional, and financial impacts. When someone else’s negligence causes a spinal cord injury—whether in a car crash, workplace accident, medical event, or other traumatic incident—it’s critical to understand your rights and take immediate steps to protect your future.

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most devastating injuries a person can experience. Each year, an estimated 17,000 new spinal cord injuries occur in the United States alone, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center.

These injuries can instantly disrupt every aspect of a person’s life, leading to partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and lifelong medical needs. Beyond the physical challenges, spinal cord injuries often bring emotional distress, changes in family dynamics, and significant financial burdens.

At The Yost Legal Group, we’re dedicated to helping spinal cord injury survivors get the justice and compensation they deserve.

What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?

A spinal cord injury involves damage to the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal. These injuries can result in permanent loss of strength, sensation, and function below the site of the injury.

They often require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and lifestyle adjustments.

What makes spinal cord injuries especially impactful is their long-term nature. Nearly 78% of new SCI cases are suffered by men, and the majority occur in individuals under the age of 30, meaning a lifetime of care and adaptation.

Survivors may face not only the immediate costs of hospitalization and surgery but also ongoing expenses for rehabilitation, assistive devices, home modifications, and personal care. The lifetime cost for a person with high tetraplegia (paralysis affecting all four limbs) can exceed $5 million.

Even less severe injuries can result in costs over $1 million. These numbers don’t even account for lost income or the emotional toll on victims and their loved ones.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries can happen in many ways, but some of the most common causes include:

– Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes are leading causes of SCI.

– Falls: Slips, trips, and falls, especially from heights, can lead to serious spinal injuries.

– Violence: Assaults, gunshot wounds, and other violent acts can result in SCI.

– Medical or Surgical Errors: Mistakes during surgery or improper medical care may cause spinal damage.

Why You Need an Experienced Lawyer After a Spinal Cord Injury

Dealing with the aftermath of a spinal cord injury is overwhelming, and insurance companies may not have your best interests at heart. Here’s why hiring a skilled attorney is essential:

Maximizing Compensation: An experienced lawyer knows how to calculate the true cost of your injury—including ongoing care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future needs.

Dealing with Insurance Companies: Insurers often try to minimize payouts. Your lawyer can negotiate aggressively and, if necessary, take your case to trial.

Navigating Complex Laws: Personal injury law is complex, particularly when it involves catastrophic injuries. A legal team ensures all deadlines are met and paperwork is handled correctly.

Building a Strong Case: Your attorney will gather evidence, consult experts, and develop a strategy tailored to your circumstances.

The Cost of Care for Spinal Cord Injury Survivors

Living with a SCI can be extremely expensive. Costs may include:

– Emergency Medical Care: Hospitalization, surgeries, and intensive care.

– Rehabilitation: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling.

– Adaptive Equipment: Wheelchairs, home modifications, and vehicle adaptations.

– Long-Term Care: In-home nursing, personal care attendants, and ongoing medical needs.

– Lost Income: Many SCI survivors are unable to return to their previous jobs.

The lifetime cost of care can reach millions of dollars, making it vital to secure the maximum possible compensation.

Key Evidence to Build a Strong Personal Injury Case

To secure a fair settlement or verdict, your legal team will collect and present evidence such as:

Accident Reports: Police, workplace, or incident reports.

Medical Records: Documentation of diagnoses, treatments, and prognosis.

Expert Testimony: Medical, vocational, and economic experts can explain the injury’s impact.

Photographs/Videos: Visual evidence of the accident scene, injuries, or unsafe conditions.

Witness Statements: Accounts from people who saw the accident or can testify to your condition.

Financial Records: Proof of lost income, medical bills, and future care needs.

Know Your Rights and Protect Your Future

If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses. Acting quickly is critical, as evidence can disappear, and there are strict deadlines for filing claims.

Why Choosing the Right Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Matters

When searching for the best personal injury lawyer for spinal cord injury claims, it’s crucial to find a team with a proven track record, deep experience in catastrophic injury cases, and a genuine commitment to your recovery.

The Yost Legal Group stands out among top-rated spinal cord injury attorneys because we understand the unique medical, financial, and emotional challenges you face.

Our approach is straightforward: we prioritize your needs. From your free initial consultation to the final settlement or verdict, our attorneys will:

– Listen to your story with compassion and respect

– Explain your legal rights and options in clear, simple terms

– Gather the strongest evidence to support your claim

– Work with leading medical and financial experts to accurately value your case

– Negotiate fiercely with insurance companies to secure the maximum compensation for our clients

– Only get paid if we win your case—so you never have to worry about upfront legal fees

Take the First Step Toward Justice and Recovery

If you’re searching for the best spinal cord injury lawyer near you or want to know how to get the highest settlement for a spinal cord injury claim, don’t wait.

Our serious personal injury lawyers handle complex cases involving spinal cord injuries. From car accidents, truck accidents, falls, and medical malpractice, we recover significant compensation for our clients.

The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start protecting your rights by filing a personal injury claim on your behalf. We will explain the legal process and advise on any potential statute of limitations issues.

Contact The Yost Legal Group today for a free, confidential consultation.

You deserve answers, support, and the best lawyers for personal injury that will fight relentlessly for your future. Let The Yost Legal Group be your advocate on the road to recovery.

(800)-YOST-LAW (800)-967-8529 Text: 1-410-659-6800 yostlaw.com

Paralysis Injury Lawyer – Catastrophic Injury Lawyer – Serious Truck Accident Lawyer

Best Personal Injury Law Firm – Serious Injury Lawyer – Paralysis in Accident

MD Teacher Acquitted of Child Sex Abuse Charges Reassigned

Posted on August 22, 2025August 29, 2025 by Loni Liss

Former Severna Park Teacher Matthew Schlegel Reassigned to Student-Free Location

In Maryland, a case involving former Severna Park Elementary teacher Matthew Schlegel has drawn widespread attention and deep concern among families. In June 2025, Schlegel was acquitted of 18 counts of sexual abuse and related offenses.

The jury deadlocked on three remaining assault charges, which prosecutors later dismissed.

Now, just two months later, Schlegel has been reassigned to a district job location with no students while Anne Arundel County Public Schools conducts its own internal review.

The Child Victims Act of 2023: A Lifeline for Maryland Survivors

For survivors, parents, and community members, the outcome raises painful questions. How could so many charges result in so few legal consequences?

What role does the school system play in protecting children even after a criminal acquittal? And what avenues remain open for survivors who feel the system failed them?

If you or someone you know is the survivor of childhood sexual abuse committed by an employee of a Maryland school district, the new Child Victims Act of 2023 has expanded your statute of limitations. This means you may have a case, which could entitle you to justice in the form of monetary compensation.

Unfortunately, we cannot take back or undo the trauma you have experienced. Still, the experienced teacher sex abuse lawyers at The Yost Legal Group can help you seek the justice you deserve. Call or text us today at 410-659-6800.

Please remember: It was not your fault. You are not alone. Contact our legal team today for a free and confidential consultation and for an explanation of your rights. We are here to help.

The Trial and Acquittal of Severna Park Teacher Matthew Schlegel

In June 2025, after weeks of testimony, a jury found Schlegel not guilty on 18 counts that alleged sexual abuse and related sex offenses involving students at Severna Park Elementary.

Jurors later spoke to local media, explaining that the state had not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

This legal standard is critical to understand. In criminal court, the burden on prosecutors is deliberately high, requiring jurors to find guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

In cases involving child victims, this expectation can be especially challenging.

Children may struggle to testify consistently, recall events clearly, or withstand aggressive cross-examination. As Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess explained after the verdict:

“This is certainly not the outcome that we had hoped for in this case. One thing that strikes me is the criminal justice system expects a lot from child victims, and this case is no exception. While our office cannot guarantee verdicts in difficult cases, what we can guarantee is that we will always stand up for children and sexual assault victims, which we did in this case.”

Though the jury acquitted Schlegel on 18 counts, they could not reach an agreement on the three remaining second-degree assault charges.

Days later, prosecutors announced they would not retry the case, effectively ending the criminal proceedings.

Release and Conditions of Severna Park Teacher Matthew Schlegel

After 13 months in prison, the judge ordered Schlegel’s immediate release on his own recognizance following the acquittal. However, conditions were imposed:

No unsupervised contact with minors, except his own children.
No contact with alleged victims or their families.

These restrictions reflect a reality survivors know well. The legal system may not convict, yet courts still acknowledge the need for limits on behavior to protect children.

As for the school district, Anne Arundel County Public Schools had placed Schlegel on administrative leave during the criminal trial.

After the acquittal and dismissal of charges, the district restored him to paid employment.

However, he has not been reassigned to a classroom. Instead, as of August 2025, he is working in a district facility where no students are present, pending the outcome of the district’s internal review.

After the Verdict: What Survivors and Communities Can Do Next

For many parents, the decision to reinstate Schlegel—even in a non-teaching role—feels like a betrayal. Families argue that schools carry responsibilities separate from criminal courts.

A “not guilty” verdict does not automatically mean an individual is fit to return to the classroom. Internal reviews, guided by state education law, may apply different standards focused on safety and professional conduct.

The school district has stated that its investigation is ongoing and that it will determine final employment status based on its policies and findings.

If you or a loved one experienced childhood sexual abuse in a Maryland public school, facility, or school-sanctioned event, you may have a case and be entitled to significant compensation.

Contact the compassionate sexual abuse survivor lawyers at The Yost Legal Group today for a free and confidential consultation: 410-659-6800.

Looking Out for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

For survivors and family members, the Schlegel verdict is not just about one teacher. It represents the broader challenge of speaking truth in a system built around high burdens of proof. When jurors say, “The case was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt,” survivors may hear, “We don’t believe you.”

But legal outcomes do not erase survivor experiences. Survivors deserve to be heard, believed, and supported.

Civil cases, community advocacy, and trauma-informed legal support all provide ways to reclaim voice and agency when the criminal system falls short.

Cases like Schlegel’s reveal gaps in the system. While prosecutors must meet the criminal burden of proof, schools and communities can act under broader principles of child protection.

Moving forward, Maryland families are asking hard questions:

Should school employees acquitted of abuse ever be reassigned to teaching roles?
How can districts strengthen their internal investigative processes?
What reforms are needed to support children who testify in abuse trials?

These are not abstract questions. They shape how safe children feel walking into classrooms every day. Survivor stories should drive policy reform, ensuring that schools prioritize child safety over employment technicalities.

Protecting Our Children: The Legal Realities Every Parent Should Know

Matthew Schlegel’s acquittal does not end the conversation. It challenges us to examine how we protect children, how we hold institutions accountable, and how we stand with survivors when the legal system cannot deliver the closure they deserve.

It also raises questions about whether school districts need to re-evaluate their teachers’ union contracts that currently stipulate the reassignment of teachers within their incumbent districts should they beat charges brought against them.

The Yost Legal Group, A Lifeline for Maryland Survivors

The strength of the children who testified and the strength of the community to come together in support of the little girls are deserving of commendation and recognition.

The Yost Legal Group stands with survivors. Your experiences are to be believed, and your voices should be heard. You are not alone.

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse or know someone who is a survivor, please contact The Yost Legal Group today for a free and confidential consultation.

If you are ready to talk, we are ready to listen. Our experienced and compassionate sexual abuse survivor attorneys are here to help you and provide the legal guidance you deserve. When you are ready, call or text us a 410-659-6800.

Survivors Rights – School Molestation Claims – Teacher Abuse Claims

Child Sex Abuse Lawyer – Institutional Sexual Abuse Claims – Daycare Abuse Lawyer

Neonatal Resuscitation and Birth Injuries: What Parents Need to Know

Posted on August 4, 2025 by Loni Liss

Most babies make the transition from being in utero to being able to breathe room air on their own as soon as they are born. However, about 10% of newborns require some assistance with breathing, and of that 10%, fewer than 1% require extensive neonatal resuscitation measures.

The equipment and the medical team members trained to resuscitate newborns are required in every hospital’s labor and delivery department.

Although only 10% of newborn babies require neonatal resuscitation, meaning only 10% of parents have this experience, it is worth describing here in some detail, because it is quite common that parents are not given an explanation of the medical procedures their baby has received if newborn resuscitation was performed.

When does a newborn need neonatal resuscitation?

If a newborn baby is having any difficulty breathing or has a heart rate that is too low, emergency steps are immediately taken. The intention is to stabilize the infant so that the baby receives enough oxygen and has a strong and regular heartbeat.

Medical professionals want to reduce the risk of hypoxic (oxygen deficiency) injury to the baby’s brain.

What are the first steps taken to resuscitate a newborn?

The first steps taken to treat a baby who needs help breathing are focused on:

Keeping the baby warm
Opening the baby’s airway
If necessary, advancing to the equivalent of CPR by providing positive pressure ventilation (PPV) to help the baby breathe and performing chest compressions if the heart rate remains too low (under 60 beats per minute).

Positioning: Once on a warm surface, the baby’s head and neck are positioned to open the baby’s airway to optimize full respiration.

Suctioning: Clearing the baby’s mouth and nose with a bulb syringe or a suction catheter may be needed to remove fluid blocking the baby’s airway.

Breathing: Providing positive pressure ventilation (PPV) – with a bag and mask or CPAP device, for example – inflates the lungs to help with breathing if the baby is still struggling to breathe after suctioning.

Chest compressions: If the heart rate remains below 60 beats per minute after PPV ventilation is established, chest compressions are administered.

What are the advanced steps taken to resuscitate a newborn?

In less than 1% of newborns who do not respond to the initial resuscitation procedures, advanced interventions are undertaken:

Intubation: An endotracheal tube may be inserted to establish a secure and reliable airway.

Epinephrine: If the heart rate remains low despite ventilation and chest compressions, epinephrine or a similar medication may be administered through an IV.

What care does a baby receive after neonatal resuscitation?

Monitoring – A baby who has been resuscitated at the time of birth will have their heart rate, breathing, and oxygen saturation rate closely monitored, once they are transferred from the delivery room to the nursery or the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
Body temperature control – The baby will be regularly checked to confirm that their body temperature is normal and that they are not experiencing any trouble maintaining a normal body temperature. Any baby having trouble regulating their body temperature will need immediate additional medical care to stabilize their temperature.
Further evaluation – After resuscitation, it may be necessary for the baby to undergo additional observation, testing, and monitoring to find the primary cause of the baby’s breathing difficulty and any other complications at the time of birth.

Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy and Newborn Resuscitation

HIE newborns may experience difficulty breathing, a slow heart rate, and a dusky, bluish color, all of which can result in the need for immediate resuscitation.

A need for newborn resuscitation does not mean that a baby has suffered brain damage or that medical malpractice has occurred.

But neonatal resuscitation, followed by an HIE or cerebral palsy diagnosis, does mean the baby’s labor and delivery history should be examined to determine whether medical mistakes were made.

If your child was diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, let our birth injury attorneys help you find answers.

We invite you to reach out for a Free Consultation to discuss your unique situation in a caring, confidential environment. Call The Yost Legal Group at 1-800-YOST-LAW (1-800-967-8529) today.

Should I contact a birth injury law firm if my child needed to be resuscitated at birth?

You should consider contacting a birth injury attorney as soon as possible if:

Your baby had signs of distress or injury (like seizures, difficulty breathing, or needed to be resuscitated in the delivery room).
Your baby had low Apgar scores.
You suspect that something went wrong during labor or delivery, or you have concerns about the medical care you or your baby received.
Your baby has been diagnosed with a condition like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), cerebral palsy, or another birth-related injury.

How The Yost Legal Group Birth Injury Lawyers Can Help.

Free Consultation: We offer a complimentary case review to discuss your concerns, review your potential case, and address any questions you may have about your baby’s resuscitation at the time of birth.
Medical Record Review: Our team will carefully review the medical records and help determine whether a medical mistake occurred during labor and delivery.
Expert Insights: We collaborate with medical experts to assess whether the care provided met accepted standards of care and if any preventable factors were involved.
No Upfront Fees: The Yost Legal Group works on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you.

If a medical mistake was made, our HIE lawyers will work to secure a lifetime of care for your child.

You can reach The Yost Legal Group by calling (800)-YOST-LAW for more information. If we file a birth injury claim on your behalf, we will fight to seek the justice and compensation you deserve.

If your infant was diagnosed with HIE or cerebral palsy and you want answers, contact The Yost Legal Group at (800)-YOST-LAW.

Birth Injury Lawsuit – HIE Injury – Neonatal Brain Injury

DC Cardinal Accused of Sexual Abuse Passes Away

Posted on July 14, 2025July 14, 2025 by Loni Liss

Theodore McCarrick, Removed in 2019, Never Faced a Criminal Trial

Ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick faced serious sexual abuse claims from at least 12 minors. This information comes from sources before the Vatican removed him from the clergy.

Before Pope Francis removed McCarrick from the ministry in 2019, he was one of America’s most powerful Catholic cardinals. He led the Archdiocese of Washington from 2000 to 2006, during which time multiple survivors came forward.

His fame and status hid a long history of sexual abuse against minors that started in the 1970s.

The Yost Legal Group believes survivors. Our compassionate sexual assault lawyers and legal team are here to listen.

If you are a sexual abuse survivor and were sexually molested by a priest in Maryland, contact our clergy abuse lawyers.

Standing Up For Survivors of Church Sexual Abuse Against Minors

In February 2025, the Maryland Supreme Court upheld the Child Victims Act. The Yost Legal Group continues to fight for justice for those who have faced institutional sexual abuse.

We are currently representing hundreds of survivors. They all have credible claims against various institutions, including the Archdiocese of Washington.

Call us for a free and confidential consultation with a sexual abuse lawyer. Call or text The Yost Legal Group at 410-659-6800 today.

We will listen to you and provide support. An attorney for sexual abuse will hold the Archdiocese of Washington accountable. You may seek justice for the harm caused by the clergy.

Maryland vs. DC: How Child Victims Laws Differ for Abuse Survivors

The District of Columbia does not have a Maryland Child Victims Act. This act removed the time limit for childhood sexual abuse survivors. The 2018 amendment to DC’s Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations changed the rules. Now, victims can file civil claims until they are 40 years old.

DC Law 22-311, § 12–301. Limitation of time for bringing actions, [(a)]: “(11) for the recovery of damages arising out of sexual abuse that occurred when the victim was less than 35 years of age— the date the victim attains the age of 40 years…”

Survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the District of Columbia have a deadline. They must file their claims before they turn 40. This is important to avoid losing their right to sue.

The Archdiocese of Washington operates 144 parishes across six territories. Five of those territories are within southern Maryland counties: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s.

Anyone harmed by a member of the Archdiocese of Washington as a minor, within Maryland, qualifies under Maryland’s laws and statutes.

If you were sexually abused as a minor in Maryland by a member of the Archdiocese of Washington, it does not matter how old you are now. You still have time to bring a civil case against the Church. You are not alone.

According to the most recent data from Catholic-Hierarchy.org, the Archdiocese of Washington oversees more than 680,000 worshipers. As such, given the position of power and trust, the archdiocese has a duty to protect every one of its parishioners. Especially from its own abusive clergy members.

Unfortunately, the sad reality is that the Archdiocese of Washington was negligent in its duty. They have exhibited a pattern of child sex abuse, not just with this archdiocese but with the Catholic Church in general.

Late Ex-Cardinal Theodore “Uncle Ted” McCarrick

James became a victim of sexual abuse by Father Theodore McCarrick. The sexual assault of a minor causes post-traumatic stress disorder. As a victim of sexual assault, James took legal action and filed an abuse case. Priest molestation is sexual violence and child sexual abuse.

According to James, he called himself “Uncle Ted.” His family had been close friends with Father McCarrick before James was even born.

In the spring of 1958, Father McCarrick, nearly 28 years old and just two weeks ordained, baptized James at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Tenafly, NJ.

Eleven years later, after James had moved to California with his family, the grooming began. Father McCarrick visited often. James was struggling in school and with the move. The family thought McCarrick could help.

James said the physical sexual abuse began when he was 13 years old, when the priest first touched his penis.

James would not tell anyone of his abuse by Father Theodore McCarrick until decades later. At one point, he did tell his biological uncle, who, according to James, told him “to take the secret to his grave.” His uncle and “Uncle Ted” were friends. Both are now deceased.

James may have been the first, but he was not the last. Sexual abuse in the church causes sexual assault survivors years of PTSD.

He Told His Young Victims to Call Him Uncle Ted

1969 New York Appointment. In 1969, Cardinal Terence Cooke recalled McCarrick to New York after a multi-year stint in Puerto Rico.

In the winter of 1971, John Doe was 16 years old. At that time, McCarrick was a priest in the Archdiocese of New York. Doe was a student at Cathedral Prep Seminary, wanting to become a priest.

In the sacristy at the Manhattan seminary’s cathedral, McCarrick sexually abused Doe for the first time. According to Doe’s lawyer, whenever McCarrick saw the teen, he would tell him how good-looking he was.

Then, in the winter of 1972, McCarrick cornered the boy in a bathroom: “He just came in, grabbed him, shoved his hand into his pants, and tried to get his hand into his underwear. The kid had to struggle and push him away,’ the lawyer said.”

1981 New Jersey Appointment: From there, McCarrick continued to rise through the ranks of the Catholic Church quickly. In the winter of 1981, the Church made him the first bishop of the new Diocese of Metuchen in New Jersey.

Those who knew him and observed his behavior said he was friendly with all of the seminarians he was in charge of. Still, he did play favorites:

From Newark to New York: The Dark Legacy of Archbishop McCarrick

Beach House Visits: “[McCarrick] would invite a few he especially favored to overnight stays at a beach house in Sea Girt, NJ”

Mr. Ciolek, a young seminarian who got those beach house invites, told The New York Times in 2018. He explained how McCarrick would “assign sleeping arrangements.” He would choose one guest each night to share his room, which had one large bed.

Ciolek also detailed how McCarrick would initiate contact with the young men’s lower backs or thighs, much to some people’s disgust.

Another seminarian from the Sea Girt trips shared more details about McCarrick’s abuses in the 1980s. This person asked to remain unnamed. This was during his rapid rise to power.

1986 Newark NJ: In the spring of 1986, Pope John Paul II made Bishop McCarrick the Archbishop of Newark. This diocese was one of the largest in the country, with over one million Catholic parishioners.

The “Beach House Doe,” however, would be sexually abused by McCarrick in 1987 in a small New York City apartment above a hospital, according to reporting by The Times in 2018:

“There, Archbishop McCarrick asked the seminarian to change into a striped sailor shirt and a pair of shorts he had on hand, and joined him in bed, according to the seminarian’s written account. ‘He put his arms around me and wrapped his legs between mine,.”

“He also wrote that he once saw Archbishop McCarrick having sex with a young priest in a cabin … and that the archbishop invited him to be ‘next.'”

The “Beach House Doe’s” former priest’s file also included handwritten notes from McCarrick, which he signed “Uncle Ted” or “Uncle T.”

With Warnings Ignored, McCarrick Continues Ascent

Mr. Ciolek was a young seminarian. McCarrick made him share a bed during beach house visits. Ciolek “trusted … confided in … [and] admired” McCarrick. McCarrick used his power to take advantage of young, impressionable, and vulnerable boys and young men like Ciolek.

McCarrick also used the intimate knowledge he had gained from Ciolek to keep him further under his thumb. Ciolek revealed to McCarrick that he was a survivor of sexual abuse by a teacher in his Catholic high school.

Instead of giving the vulnerable young person advice and guidance, McCarrick retraumatized him repeatedly.

The handwritten letters in Ciolek’s former priest’s file also revealed that “Uncle Ted” referred to the members of his young beach house overnight trips as “nephew.” Per one letter, McCarrick wrote to Ciolek in the late ’80s:

“I just wanted to tell you how glad I am that we had the chance to get together this summer. It wasn’t as often as I would have liked, but I know how ‘social’ my nephew is!”

It is not illogical to surmise that even if Ciolek had come forward back then, the Church would have ignored him.

Your Voice Matters: Confidential Support for Survivors of Abuse

“Beach House Doe” filed the first documented complaint against McCarrick, giving his confession in the process.

He wrote a letter to the new bishop at Metuchen, the one who succeeded McCarrick, revealing that the archbishop had “inappropriately touched him and other seminarians in the 1980s.”

“Beach House Doe” went on to reveal that the instances of sexual abuse he survived and the trauma they caused “triggered him to touch two 15-year-old boys inappropriately.” He did something wrong. He needed to confess.

For his troubles, the Church put the then-priest in therapy and transferred him to a new parish—standard practice. There is little evidence to suggest they spoke with McCarrick after receiving “Beach House Doe’s” complaint.

Empowering Survivors to Seek Justice, One Story at a Time

In this case, there was no accountability. Instead, in 1995, the Church gave McCarrick the honor of hosting Pope John Paul II during his visit to Newark. The archbishop was also responsible for leading a large public mass for the pope’s visit.

A few years later, Mr. Ciolek received a surprise call. It was from the office of the Metuchen diocese. McCarrick’s former secretary from Metuchen wanted to meet with Ciolek.

At this meeting, the former secretary asked Ciolek directly if he had any plans to sue the diocese. He even mentioned McCarrick by name.

“‘ And I literally laughed, and I said, no,’ Mr. Ciolek said, adding that the monsignor responded with a sigh of relief.”

Within a year, Pope John Paul II promoted Archbishop McCarrick. He left his station in Newark to lead the Archdiocese of Washington. Three months after that, they appointed McCarrick as a cardinal.

All of this happened despite a warning from a priest in New Jersey. The NJ priest had heard several first-hand accounts from seminarians about the sexual abuses by McCarrick. Many committed against underage boys at his beach house.

Despite a direct phone call with the pope’s representative and a written letter submitted to the Vatican, the priest never received a response.

If you or a loved one is the survivor of sexual abuse by a member of the Archdiocese of Washington, you may have a case. The experienced clergy sexual abuse lawyers at The Yost Legal Group are here to help you seek the justice you deserve. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation: 1-800-YOST-LAW.

Warnings Dismissed: McCarrick’s Presence at the Heart of the Vatican

In 2002, the pope, who would pass away just three years later, summoned McCarrick and other cardinals to help manage the Church’s PR crisis as reports of sexual abuse within the Church reached a fever pitch.

He was a voting member of the papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI after John Paul II’s passing in 2005.

In 2006, McCarrick retired as the archbishop of Washington. He was 75, the traditional retirement age for bishops. He remained a highly regarded cardinal.

In 2013, he participated in the cardinals’ meetings held before the conclave that elected Pope Francis.

Though he was active in major Vatican events and served as a leader in many high-profile funerals in DC, McCarrick seemed to have receded from the public eye.

As an “unofficial ambassador,” the Vatican sent him around the world to East Asian and the Middle East, regions where the Church couldn’t necessarily send “official ambassadors.”

A quiet life of travel and meetings could not last forever for McCarrick. His past and the renewed focus on the Catholic Church’s crimes in the 2010s made that impossible.

The Price of Silence: McCarrick’s Influence in the Catholic Church

In the spring of 2018, McCarrick (then 87) released a statement announcing his retirement from the College of Cardinals after advice from the Church.

Months prior, the Church had received another credible claim from a John Doe. The claim stated that McCarrick committed sexual abuse. John Doe said he was 16 in 1971 at Cathedral Prep Seminary in New York.

In July 2018, the pope accepted McCarrick’s resignation. He ordered him to commit to “a life of prayer and penance in seclusion.”

Seven months later, in February 2019, the Vatican defrocked McCarrick. To date, he is still the highest-ranking member of the Catholic Church expelled for sexual abuse.

McCarrick was found guilty by a church tribunal. The Vatican’s official statement read that the former cardinal was guilty of the following:

“solicitation in the Sacrament of Confession and sins against the Sixth Commandment with minors and with adults, with the aggravating factor of the abuse of power.”

The Catholic Church made its full 461-page report on ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick public in November 2020. This occurred nearly two years after they removed him from the ministry.

Somehow, despite over 30 years of allegations, rumors, and whispers, the Church found the pervasiveness of McCarrick’s abuses surprising.

“I have blown the whistle for 30 years and got nowhere,” said the New Jersey priest. He contacted the Vatican before McCarrick became a cardinal. The justice system failed so many young boys against sexual harassment and physical injury.

Confidential Support for Survivors of Clergy Abuse—We’re Here for You

Theodor McCarrick died on April 3, 2025. He was 94 years old. McCarrick has a long history of sexually abusing minors and adults for over 30 years in the Catholic Church. Yet, he never faced any criminal charges.

We know this is a sensitive and challenging matter. Our sexual assault attorneys understand that many survivors may never want to come forward. However, at The Yost Legal Group, we want you to know that we are here for you.

Our sexual abuse attorneys are here to listen whenever you are ready to share your story. All consultations with our experienced lawyers for sexual abuse are free and confidential. Your traumatic experiences have caused significant pain and suffering in your life.

If you have allegations of sexual abuse and are ready to talk, we are here to listen. Call or text The Yost Legal Group at 410-659-6800.

The caring legal team at The Yost Legal Group has successfully sued the Archdiocese of Baltimore. They are helping survivors get settlements. If you or a loved one is a survivor, it is important to speak with a legal professional soon. Call or text The Yost Legal Group today at 410-659-6800.

Priest Sexual Abuse – Maryland Church Sexual Abuse – Catholic Church Abuse Claims

Sexual Trauma Therapy – Sexual Abuse Therapy – Lawyers for Survivors

Local Teacher Found Not Guilty of Child Sexual Abuse

Posted on June 25, 2025November 19, 2025 by Loni Liss

Teacher Found Not Guilty of Child Sexual Abuse

In March of 2024, a courageous 8-year-old girl came forward to report the sexual abuse she was experiencing at the hands of her third-grade teacher.

That brave act led to many other girls coming forward, alleging that the same 45-year-old male teacher molested them. The sexual abuse of these young girls was investigated through hours of forensic interviews by trained professionals.

After numerous evaluations and therapy sessions with highly trained psychologists and detectives, authorities concluded that the young girls’ stories were true and factual.

During the trial, several of those elementary school girls testified that their teacher touched them inappropriately on a number of different occasions. However, in the end, the jury was deadlocked on several counts and their teacher was ultimately was found not guilty on the others.

The Criminal Justice System Does Not Always Work

The Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Matthew Schlegel with dozens of counts of childhood sex abuse crimes against several young girls who came forward to report their harrowing experiences. He was arrested in May 2024, and the trial took place in May and June of 2025.

Defendant Matthew Schlegel hired two defense firms to represent him, and an Anne Arundel County jury found him not guilty on 18 of the 21 charges.

The families feel incredibly defeated. The courageous young girls who came forward are heartbroken that the jurors did not find the accounts of their molestation to be credible and criminal.

Despite this outcome, we want to affirm and applaud the heroic actions of both the children and their supportive parents for having the strength to come forward and fight.

Attempting To Hold Accused Childhood Sexual Predators Criminally Accountable Is Very Difficult For Childhood Abuse Survivors

During the year between Schlegel’s arrest and the trial, many people’s lives were put on hold.

The young girls, who should have been spending their fourth-grade year with friends, enjoying school, playing sports, and simply being kids, instead faced an entirely different reality.

Their days were filled with therapy sessions, battles with panic attacks and anxiety, and other mental health challenges. They struggled to balance the return to school and extracurricular activities with the investigative process that was underway, which included numerous interactions with detectives, attorneys, and the judicial system.

Meanwhile, Matthew Schlegel hired multiple private defense attorneys to put up a defense that called into doubt the testimony of multiple 9- and 10-year-old victims and witnesses.

The accused sex offender’s attorneys argued to the jury that the families of these little girls colluded to influence their children to report their abuse.

The Yost Legal Group’s Cara O’Brien believes that this type of defense encourages an abuse-centered culture where children will be hesitant to come forward for fear of not being believed. Studies have found that only one in five children discloses sexual abuse during their childhood, and many do not disclose for fear of not being believed.

These Brave Girls May Have Saved Future Young Girls from Abuse

Survivors of sexual abuse do not all come forward to publicly report their childhood sexual abuse at the same time, and rarely do so while still a child and/or while still being abused. The average age at which a survivor of child sex abuse comes forward is 52. As such, childhood predators often escape scrutiny for years.

But when a brave survivor goes public, it is not unusual for many more survivors to come forward with reports of earlier sexual abuse.

These girls should be praised for their remarkable bravery, strength, and resilience as they came forward to report abuse at the ages of 8 and 9 years old, which subsequently put Severna Park Elementary school administrative officials on notice about the potential for harm to other children by their math teacher, Matthew Schlegel.

Although Matthew Schlegel was found not guilty, we applaud these children for acting selflessly and responsibly, knowing the path to going public would be hard and uncertain.

Upon information, Mr. Schlegel is not believed to be teaching third grade at Severna Park Elementary School for the 2025-2026 school year.

The Yost Legal Group Is Pursuing Holding Severna Park Elementary School Accountable to The Girls Who Were Sexually Abused at School

We believe that the criminal justice system failed these little girls and that the State’s Attorney for Anne Arundel County missed another opportunity to hold Schlegel accountable.

More victims may come forward to report that they were abused years earlier by their third-grade math teacher, Schlegel.

The determination of whether and when a child should pursue a civil claim as a result of childhood sexual abuse is very personal. The determining factor is what is in the child’s best interest. These decisions should be made after consultation with mental health professionals.

It is also advisable to speak with an experienced sex abuse attorney who is trauma-informed and trained. They can answer questions and set expectations to help the child and her parents decide if filing a civil case makes sense for them. Under the Maryland Child Victims Act, there is no time limit to file a civil claim. Families can explore Title IX proceedings, which ensure the federal right to an education free from sexual harassment.

It is essential to understand that there are other legal avenues for holding individuals accountable. Our legal system doesn’t always achieve justice on the first attempt.

Survivors of Abuse Come Forward, Your Voice Matters

If you or anyone you know suffered from childhood sexual abuse, come forward. Reclaim the power you lost as a child by confronting and holding your abusers and enablers accountable.

There Are Other Legal Remedies to Seek Justice

The Yost Legal Group is a Maryland law firm representing survivors of institutional childhood sexual abuse.

Institutional sexual abuse is when a minor is under the care and supervision of an institution, religious, government, or corporate-run entity, and is abused. Many institutions fail to protect the minors in their care.

The following is a list of institutional environments where child sex abuse claims happen frequently.

– Clergy sexual abuse claims

– Juvenile detention center sexual abuse claims

– Foster care sexual abuse claims

– Private and public school sexual abuse claims

– Athletic coach sexual abuse claims

– Doctor sexual abuse claims

Legally, no minor can consent to a sexual relationship with an adult. The Yost Legal Group’s child sexual abuse lawyers are committed to protecting the rights of child victims.

Standing Up for Justice for Child Abuse Survivors

If you’re a survivor of child sexual abuse in a Maryland institution, we will file a lawsuit on your behalf. The Maryland Child Victims Act allows victims of childhood abuse to seek justice, no matter how long ago the abuse happened.

To learn about your rights or discuss the possibility of making a sx, contact us for a free and confidential consultation. We accept cases on a no-win, no-fee, or expense basis.

Maryland Sex Abuse Law Firm – Juvenile Detention Sexual Abuse Claims – Childhood Sexual Abuse Lawyer