Former Juvenile Facility Therapist Pleads Guilty to Sexual Abuse Charges

A former therapist at an upstate New York juvenile detention center known by the nickname “Big Foot” has admitted to criminal misconduct involving at least five victims. The attorney, Maya Hayes, 47, pleaded guilty to a serious sexual offense as part of a plea agreement.

Hayes faces potential prison time of up to two and a half years, along with ten years of supervised release and mandatory sex offender registration for at least 20 years upon sentencing this September. The allegations stem from multiple lawsuits filed by young men who claim she engaged in inappropriate and sexual behavior during her tenure at Brookwood Youth Facility near Albany.

Court documents detail claims that Hayes exploited her authority by offering privileges such as phone access, hair products, and food, while physically assaulting and fondling these minors. One victim, as young as 15, recounted that Hayes told him she wanted to have oral sex with her because she was “sexually frustrated at home.”

Other allegations include Hayes exposing herself to a 16-year-old and commenting on her breasts, as well as instructing a victim to touch her and then expressing dissatisfaction with his squeezing technique. Victims reported that Hayes took pleasure from giving sexual favors to residents, allegedly claiming it was her “fantasy” and a “rush” to engage in such acts.

Authorities arrested Hayes in April on 65 counts including criminal sexual acts and rape. She denies the allegations, asserting that “all allegations” are false in court filings related to ongoing lawsuits.

“Her guilty plea signifies a crucial step toward accountability for the abuse and trauma experienced by her victims,” stated her lawyer, Evan Brustein. Meanwhile, reports indicate that staff at the facility were aware of the misconduct and even joked about Hayes, calling her “Big Foot.”