Note: This story contains descriptions of sexual abuse. If you or someone you know may be a victim of sexual abuse, confidential support, information and advice are available at the National Sexual Assault Hotline by calling 800-656-4673. Text chat is also available online.

Eleven more men filed a lawsuit this week against the Oregon Youth Authority, claiming they were sexually abused by Dr. Edward Gary Edwards, a pediatrician who worked at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility for over 40 years and died in February.

It’s the latest in a slew of allegations against Edwards and former OYA staff who perpetrated abuse at MacLaren.

At a press conference Wednesday, attorney Peter Janci said his team alone has filed lawsuits on behalf of 62 victims.

The attorneys said they’ve also identified another perpetrator: Susan Baumgartner, a former gym teacher at MacLaren who sexually abused a boy between 2001 and 2002.

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According to Kendall Spinella, an attorney on Janci’s team, Baumgartner bribed the boy with chewing tobacco and told him not to say anything.

But Spinella said OYA leadership allowed Baumgartner to resign quietly from her position, even after a fight between two other boys, who witnesses said were also victims, brought her abuse to light.

According to Janci, former OYA staff said there was a cover-up culture at MacLaren that let abuse go unchecked and, in some cases, punished boys for attempting to speak up.

“Multiple OYA former staff have confirmed to us that they believe there was a culture that favored handling these situations internally and quietly,” Janci said.

OYA staffers corroborated accounts of the abuse, he said, including information that was known to the state, as well as “the state’s response — or lack of response — to the clear danger that was posed by Dr. Edwards.”

More lawsuits lodged against Oregon Youth Authority accusing staff of sexual assault

Janci said his team confirmed a report of abuse was made to OYA staff in 2007 that was then referred to Oregon State Police. The attorneys said they’re looking to access the details of OSP’s investigation.

But even after the report was referred to OSP, Edwards still remained in his position for at least another 10 years.

The 70-plus cases against Edwards have all been moved to federal court. They’ve been assigned to U.S. District Judge Michael McShane and will be heard in federal court starting November 2026.

In addition, the Marion County District Attorney has opened a grand jury investigation into conditions at MacLaren.

OPB reporter Lauren Dake contributed to this story.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/09/17/mclaren-youth-correctional-facility-more-sexual-abuse/