Lack of Transparency Compounds Trauma in Victims of Child Abuse Suffered at Army Child Care Center

Our attorney, Glen Sturtevant, spoke to Stars and Stripes about the findings of a recent report released by the DoD Inspector General that evaluated DoD and military policy regarding abuse allegations at military child care centers.

"Five Marine Corps families filed lawsuits after their children were abused in a day care at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in Arizona in 2020 and 2021. Two women who were employed at the facility were convicted in state court but the families said negligence from the military allowed for the abuse to occur. Children between 1 and 2 years old were forcefully placed in chairs and shoved into tables, forced to use their own hands to hit themselves, hit with toys, and carried by just an arm or a leg and then left alone when they cried in pain, according to federal court records.

"Wednesday’s report confirms what the families have long feared: a systemic failure to promptly and consistently notify families of child abuse allegations at military child care centers, said Glen Sturtevant, an attorney for the families. “Without a consistent process to notify parents of abuse allegations, children in these centers are left vulnerable, and parents are left in the dark,” he said. “This lack of transparency has compounded the trauma for these children and their families. There must be immediate reforms to ensure accountability, protect our service members’ children, and restore trust in these facilities.”

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Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2025-05-07/military-child-day-care-abuse-policy-17717534.html