In a disturbing turn of events, advocates are calling on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to shut down Abraxas Academy, a juvenile detention facility located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania. The facility is under scrutiny due to allegations of rampant sexual abuse and neglect that have surfaced over the past two years.
A History of Abuse
The claims against Abraxas Youth and Family Services first emerged in the summer of 2024, when numerous individuals came forward to allege sexual abuse happening within the facility. One boy recounted being sexually abused nightly by a staff member, while another disclosed that he was raped multiple times at the Morgantown site back in 2016.
These allegations led to a significant class-action lawsuit filed in Allegheny County, illuminating a pattern of abuse that many claim has gone unchecked for decades. It is within this context that the nonprofit organization received a considerable no-bid contract worth $9.2 million from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in August, allowing them to house unaccompanied immigrant children amidst a wave of deportations during the Trump Administration.
Advocates Speak Out
Now, advocates are imploring Gov. Shapiro to respond to the troubling situation. Jasmine Rivera, executive director of the Pennsylvania Immigrant Coalition, emphasized, “Keeping any child at this prison is wrong; too many children have been abused and violated at this facility. To now detain immigrant children at Abraxas contradicts ORR’s legal obligation to prioritize children's safety and well-being.”
Despite persistent inquiries, Abraxas has yet to respond to questions regarding both the federal contract and the troubling claims raised by advocates. Meanwhile, Shapiro's office has remained mum on the calls to shutter the detention center.
The Contract and Its Implications
The contract with ORR mandates that Abraxas maintain 30 beds for immigrant children, a detail that has raised serious concerns among advocates. Jason Luckasevic, an attorney representing over 40 former nonimmigrant detainees, expressed alarm over the situation, stating, “It’s very concerning because you have a situation where you’re putting immigrants who probably can’t speak English in a horrific situation.”
He added that the environment is especially dangerous for vulnerable minors who are likely to be preyed upon by staff members with ill intentions. “There are known predators that exist in these types of facilities who go seeking minors who aren’t equipped, frightened, and take advantage of them,” Luckasevic said.
A Closer Look at Abraxas
Abraxas Youth and Family Services has its roots in Marienville, Pennsylvania, and has expanded significantly since its founding in 1973. In 2010, the Geo Group—a private prison corporation that currently operates several immigration detention centers—acquired the group of juvenile detention centers. Abraxas has referred to their Morgantown Academy as a “secure detention unit,” yet its record reflects severe allegations of misconduct leading to license revocation by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services in late 2025 due to “gross incompetence, negligence, and misconduct.”
State investigators reported that the facility had failed to report instances of suspected child abuse and highlighted dangerous conditions, such as unsanitary areas within the facility. Following an appeal from Abraxas, the institution remains open as the appeal process continues.
Concerns from Experts
Reports from experts paint a grim picture of the conditions within the facility. In November 2025, Becky Wolozin, an attorney at the National Center for Youth Law, reported her observations of the juvenile immigrant wing at Abraxas. During her visit, she noted that children were housed in small cells and subjected to inadequate living conditions while renovations were still ongoing.
Wolozin emphasized the harmful impact of detaining unaccompanied minors in facilities that are designed for juvenile offenders. “Juvenile jails are not an appropriate or necessary place to hold children for immigration reasons,” she stated.
The Path Forward
As the situation continues to unfold, advocates are urging state lawmakers to take action. Organizations like Make the Road Pennsylvania are calling for an urgent intervention to prevent further abuses. Gaby Lopez, an organizer with the group, stated, “We need an immigration system that welcomes those who come here to share their gifts and be part of our shared story—not a broken one that subjects children and families to the same violence they are fleeing.”
Immigration advocates and concerned citizens alike are hoping Governor Shapiro will respond by issuing an Emergency Removal Order to permanently shut down Abraxas Academy, safeguarding the rights and well-being of children within the state of Pennsylvania.
For ongoing updates on this developing story, stay connected with Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Published March 5, 2026, by Jacob Geanous. For further inquiries, contact Jacob Geanous at Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
