New Allegations Come To Light Against Davis Group Home

DAVIS (CBS13) — New accusations are coming out around a Davis group home where two teens are facing charges in the alleged rape of an 11-year-old girl.

For Sam Lyon, even hearing the name FamiliesFirst on the news has been tough. The 35-year-old says he spent two years of his childhood living under the roof of the program—two years he says he can't forget.

"Pinned me down and raped me," he said describing a 14-year-old who sodomized him regularly for nine months when he was 10.

Lyon says back then, staff at the facility didn't care.

"They refused to call the police when I came forward," he said.

More than two decades later, Sam had hoped things had changed, but then came Thursday's allegations of two boys raping a fellow resident.

While Davis Police say the attack took place off campus, they say the children should have had supervision. And now police believe there could be other rapes connected to the center.

State records show that the group is no stranger to issues at their home just in the past two years.

Just this month, state regulators found children weren't being supervised enough, allowing them to run away.

The home also failed to report incidents, disrespectful to at least one resident, and maintained dirty conditions.

Lyon finds some solace in the fact an investigation is under way.

"It's horrifying that it's taken 25 years to say, 'Wait a second, maybe this isn't rumor, maybe this isn't hearsay, maybe something is actually happening.'"

CBS13 requested to speak with Families First on Friday about their practices, but our calls were never returned.

The CEO released the following statement:

"We are responding professionally and rapidly to the situation in Davis. We've already increased our staffing to address issues in the investigation. Additionally, there is added security on campus and beyond around the clock at this time. We've also revised our plan for responding to children who attempt to leave the facility without permission, adding new interventions that will keep them and the community safe.

"Most significantly -- while we enjoy a national reputation that shows success 10% greater than other similar programs -- we are bringing in an independent expert in this challenging field, inviting them to immediately inspect our facility and review our practices.

(signed)

Darrell Evora, MFT, MBA

President & CEO

EMQ FamiliesFirst