Lawsuit alleges Orchard Place failed to protect teen resident

A former teenage Orchard Place resident is suing the Des Moines youth mental health treatment center and a former staff member, alleging the staffer sent inappropriate, sexual messages to her.

Why it matters: The nonprofit is one of the most prominent providers of inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment for youth and adults up to 21 in central Iowa.

Details: The patient, "Jane Doe," arrived at Orchard Place between May and August 2019 when she was around 14-15 years old, her attorney, Ervin Nevitt tells Axios.

• During that time, a male staffer of about 19 or 20 communicated with her through texts, Snapchats and phone calls, which included sexual messages, Nevitt says. They also went on private walks.
• After the patient left the center, the staff member stopped talking with her, resulting in her entering a "deep depression" and failing two semesters of high school, according to the lawsuit.
• No criminal charges were filed against the staff member. The unnamed plaintiff filed the civil lawsuit as an adult.

Details: The lawsuit, filed last week in Polk County District Court, alleges Orchard Place did not adequately train or supervise its staff and failed to protect the patient.

• She's seeking financial compensation, though the dollar amount hasn't been determined, Nevitt says.

What they're saying: While Orchard Place can't address the specifics of the case, the center insists it continues to prioritize staff safety trainings and ensure protocols are met to keep children safe and supported, spokesperson Lakyn Pando said in a statement.

What's next: The plaintiff is awaiting responses from Orchard Place and the staffer in court, Nevitt says.