DCS worker tipped off youth center with history of abuse allegations about ‘surprise’ inspection

Author: Tony Cook

A state employee in Indiana broke ethics rules by warning a youth facility about a surprise inspection. Rebecca Honn, who worked for the Department of Child Services, told Pierceton Woods Academy the exact date and time of an unannounced visit. The facility has faced dozens of abuse allegations, including staff misconduct with teens, but the state continued to send youth and funding there.

The allegations against Pierceton Woods Academy include multiple reports of sexual abuse and inappropriate behavior by staff toward youth. From 2017 to 2023, at least 27 reports were made, several of which were substantiated by the Indiana Department of Child Services. At least two staff members were arrested, and a third was fired following a confirmed abuse case.

Honn was later fired and fined after an investigation found she also violated rules by taking a job at another youth facility too soon after leaving DCS. She briefly filed a lawsuit claiming retaliation but later dropped it.

Pierceton Woods remains open and receives about $15 million a year in DCS referrals. Lawmakers have passed new reforms to improve oversight, but concerns remain about how long abuse went unchecked.