A New York court has ruled that a lawsuit filed by C.T., a woman who claims she was sexually abused while in foster care, can proceed. The court's decision affects both the Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York and the Suffolk County Department of Social Services, which were named as defendants in the case. This ruling is significant as it interprets aspects of the Child Victims Act (CVA), which allows survivors of childhood sexual abuse to bring claims even if the statute of limitations has expired.
The case, C.T. v. Little Flower Children & Family Servs. of N.Y., was decided by Judge Denis Reo of the New York Supreme Court, Suffolk County, on March 25, 2026. The court's opinion, indexed as 624375/2025, highlights the complexities surrounding the statute of limitations for claims of sexual abuse against minors.
Background
C.T. was born in April 2001 and placed in the custody of the Suffolk County Department of Social Services as a toddler. In May 2013, at the age of 12, she was placed in foster care at Little Flower, which operated a group foster care facility in Wading River, New York. While at Little Flower, C.T. alleges she was sexually abused by a staff member. Although the specific dates of the alleged abuse are not detailed in the court documents, it is noted that she left the facility in January 2018, at the age of 16.
On September 11, 2025, C.T. filed her lawsuit against Little Flower and Suffolk County, claiming negligence and failure to report abuse under New York's Social Services Law. She also accused Little Flower of negligent hiring, training, supervision, and retention of staff. The defendants sought to dismiss the case, arguing that it was time-barred under the statute of limitations that existed before the enactment of the CVA.
The Ruling
The court ruled against the defendants' motions to dismiss, stating that C.T.'s claims were not time-barred. Judge Reo explained that C.T. was a minor when the CVA was enacted, allowing her to bring her claims until she turns 55 years old. The judge noted, "Since it is undisputed that plaintiff's claim was tolled as of February 14, 2019 and, therefore, not time barred, and plaintiff has not yet reached the age of fifty five (55), plaintiff's claims are timely pursuant to CPLR § 208 (b)."
Additionally, the court addressed Suffolk County's argument regarding the failure to file a notice of claim. The judge found that the CVA amended the General Municipal Law to eliminate the need for a notice of claim for sexual abuse claims against minors. Thus, the court denied Suffolk County's motion to dismiss based on this argument as well.
Impact
This ruling is significant for survivors of childhood sexual abuse in New York, as it reinforces the protections offered under the CVA. The decision allows C.T. to pursue her claims against both Little Flower and Suffolk County, potentially leading to accountability for the alleged abuse she suffered. The court's interpretation of the CVA clarifies that claims by minors can be pursued even if the abuse occurred before the law's enactment, as long as the plaintiff has not yet reached the age limit set by the CVA.
The ruling also highlights the importance of legislative intent behind the CVA, which aims to provide a pathway for survivors to seek justice. By allowing claims to proceed without the typical barriers of the statute of limitations, the court is supporting the broader goal of addressing and remedying past injustices faced by victims of childhood sexual abuse.
What's Next
C.T.'s lawsuit will now proceed to the next stages of litigation, where both sides will present their evidence and arguments. The defendants may still seek to appeal the ruling, but details on any potential appeal were not available in the court filing. This case could set a precedent for similar claims under the CVA, influencing how courts interpret the statute in future cases.