Jury Awards $20 Million to Teen Abused at Grafton Berryville Facility

Surveillance video captured alleged abuse by an employee at the psychiatric residential treatment center.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A jury in Winchester Circuit Court has awarded $20 million in damages against Grafton School's Berryville psychiatric residential treatment facility and former employee Michelle Yates. The civil lawsuit, brought by Gray Broughton Injury Law on behalf of a 13-year-old boy who was a resident at the time, centered on allegations that Yates dragged the developmentally disabled child across a dorm room floor by his shirt wrapped tightly around his neck in a 2022 incident captured on surveillance video. Attorneys further accused the facility of deliberately erasing additional footage showing the aftermath, compounding claims of physical abuse, negligent supervision, and evidence tampering.

Why it matters

This case highlights the critical need for proper oversight and accountability in facilities tasked with caring for vulnerable children with behavioral and mental health needs. The significant jury award underscores the gravity of the alleged abuse and the facility's failure to protect the young resident.

The details

The multi-day trial, which began on February 9, 2026, focused on the facility's alleged failures in its duty to protect the 13-year-old boy. Surveillance video captured an incident in 2022 where former employee Michelle Yates allegedly dragged the developmentally disabled child across a dorm room floor by his shirt wrapped tightly around his neck. Attorneys also accused the facility of deliberately erasing additional footage showing the aftermath, compounding claims of physical abuse, negligent supervision, and evidence tampering.

  • The incident captured on surveillance video occurred in 2022.
  • The civil lawsuit (Case No. CL23-574) was brought in 2023.
  • The multi-day trial began on February 9, 2026.

The players

Grafton School's Berryville psychiatric residential treatment facility

A psychiatric residential treatment center located in Berryville, Virginia that provides care for children with behavioral and mental health needs.

Michelle Yates

A former employee at the Grafton School's Berryville facility who was accused of physically abusing a 13-year-old resident in an incident captured on surveillance video.

Gray Broughton Injury Law

The law firm that brought the civil lawsuit on behalf of the 13-year-old boy who was a resident at the Grafton School's Berryville facility at the time of the alleged abuse.

13-year-old boy

The developmentally disabled resident at the Grafton School's Berryville facility who was the victim of the alleged abuse captured on surveillance video.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on the implementation of the $20 million jury award and any potential further legal actions against the Grafton School's Berryville facility.

The takeaway

This case underscores the critical need for robust oversight, accountability, and transparency in facilities tasked with caring for vulnerable children with behavioral and mental health needs. The significant jury award highlights the gravity of the alleged abuse and the facility's failure to protect the young resident, sending a strong message about the importance of prioritizing the safety and wellbeing of all children in such settings.