News: WA State agrees to pay $18M child sex abuse settlement
By Darrell Cochran Law
Washington State has agreed to pay $18 million to resolve a horrific child sexual abuse lawsuit filed on behalf of two young sisters in Seattle. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) failed to protect the girls from unspeakable abuse by their foster father, Nathaniel Pierson, over a period of several years. The settlement was announced by attorneys Darrell Cochran/Co-Founding Partner, and Partner Ian Bauer of PCVA Law.
The settlement comes after years of legal battles. The girls, at the ages of 8 and 6, were placed in an unlicensed foster home with Pierson, a man with a known history of child abuse allegations. Despite repeated warnings and ample evidence that Pierson was an unsafe caregiver, the state agencies continued to leave the sisters in his care, where they suffered hundreds of incidents of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
TOTAL DISREGARD FOR CHILD WELFARE
The girls were removed from their biological parents in 1992 due to chronic abuse and neglect, only to be placed in what would become an even more dangerous environment. The State failed to conduct adequate background checks, did not properly monitor the foster home, and ignored clear signs of abuse, ultimately leading to the devastating outcome for the sisters
The legal proceedings revealed that DSHS was aware of Pierson’s history, including accusations of sexual abuse from his own daughters and a documented pattern of domestic violence and drug use. Despite these red flags, the state allowed the girls to remain in Pierson’s home for over a decade, during which they endured unimaginable suffering. The State also ignored multiple court orders requiring confirmation the Pierson home was safe for them.
As part of the settlement, Washington State has not admitted liability but agreed to the substantial payment to compensate the Glover sisters for the profound trauma they experienced. This case underscores the critical need for reform in how the state handles foster care placements, particularly in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable children.
SCARRED FOR LIFE
The sisters, now adults, continue to deal with the psychological and emotional scars from their childhood. Cochran stated while the settlement cannot undo the damage done, it serves as a measure of justice for the pain and suffering they endured and as a stark reminder to the state of its responsibility to protect the children in its care.
This settlement follows a previous case involving the sisters’ younger sibling, who was also placed in the Pierson home and won a $10.8 million verdict earlier this year. The State’s agreement to settle the sisters’ case reflects the overwhelming evidence against it and the significant risk of an even larger judgment had the case gone to trial.
PCVA Associate Mike McNeil also provided significant legal expertise to the case, leading to the settlement.
The case has become emblematic of the systemic failures within Washington State’s child welfare system, prompting calls for increased oversight, transparency, and accountability. Advocacy groups are urging the state to implement stronger protections to prevent similar tragedies in the future.