LEBANON — A federal lawsuit alleging abuse and exploitation at an Indiana faith-based residential program for teenage girls has expanded significantly, with 26 additional former residents joining the case.
The amended complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana Tuesday, June 16, now includes 35 former residents of Indiana Teen Challenge Inc., which currently operates as The Refuge Girls Academy in Lebanon. The lawsuit was initially filed in April by CohenMalad LLP on behalf of nine former residents.
Attorneys representing the plaintiffs said more than 100 former residents, staff members and family members have contacted the firm since the case became public, although some individuals were unable to participate because of statute-of-limitations restrictions…