Judge: Residents at East End group home can transfer amid sex abuse lawsuit

A spokesperson for the state court system tells News 12 that a judge at the Suffolk Courthouse received what's being described as new and troubling allegations of misconduct at Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch in Riverhead.

News 12 Staff

Oct 4, 2019, 7:13 PM

Updated 1,892 days ago

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Just a few days after a sex abuse lawsuit was filed against an East End group home for boys, acting Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho ruled that residents of the facility can now be transferred someplace else.

A spokesperson for the state court system tells News 12 that a judge at the Suffolk Courthouse received what's being described as new and troubling allegations of misconduct at Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch in Riverhead.

The organization was established in 1980 and describes itself on its website as a network of "hospitable, Christ-centered communities.”

The additional claims of sexual and physical abuse come as Andres Alexander Ramos, a former resident of the home for troubled teens, says he was beaten, burned with cigarettes and brutally raped by older boys at the group home nearly 25 years ago.
MORE: Former resident of East End boys group home files sex abuse lawsuit

Ramos’ attorney says that more than a dozen others have since come forward to her -- claiming that they, too, were either physically or sexually abused at the facility.

“This is the tip of the iceberg,” says attorney Regina Calcaterra. “We have heard allegations from former ranch residents not only of physical abuse but of sexual abuse, and sexual abuse cover-up, as well.”

Officials say that the new claims of abuse have been forwarded to a law enforcement agency for a possible criminal investigation.

“These are allegations, but it seems like this is a deep culture there that is approved by the leadership and has been putting children at risk,” says Calcaterra.

Meanwhile, News 12 has reached out to the Timothy Hill Ranch for a comment but has not yet heard back.