From a Press Release issued by Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP that describes multiple documented patterns of physical and sexual abuse of autistic kids at Anderson Center for Autism in Dutchess County in the Hudson Valley:

ECBAWM Brings Federal Lawsuit on Behalf of Autistic Young Adult Alleging Abuse and Disability Discrimination at Anderson Center for Autism

“Our son went to Anderson Center for Autism because we believed it was a place of safety, expertise, and care. Instead, we learned through a whistleblower’s video that he was subjected to sustained physical and sexual abuse in the very home that was supposed to protect him.”

— Anil Babbar, father of A.B., the autistic teen abused at Anderson Center for Autism

(NEW YORK, NY) — Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP filed a federal civil lawsuit on behalf of Anil Babbar and Shalini Babbar, as guardians of their autistic son, A.B., in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Anderson Center for Autism and two individual defendants named in the complaint, Garnet Collins and Nadine Thompson, who were employed by Anderson at all relevant times.

The complaint alleges that while A.B. was a resident in Anderson’s Chestnut House residential program, he was subjected to abuse, neglect, and disability-based mistreatment, and that Anderson failed to take appropriate action despite alleged warning signs and reports.

According to the complaint:

A.B., an autistic young adult who requires round-the-clock care, lived in Anderson’s Chestnut House residence and attended school through Anderson’s education program;
on August 11, 2024, A.B.’s mother received a message from a whistleblower reporting alleged abuse and including a video recorded on June 5, 2024 where the non-verbal autistic teenager cried for his mother as his caregiver, Garnet Collins, grabbed A.B. by his genitals and pushed him across a room.
The whistleblower was interviewed by FOX5NY where he alleges there are other victims who are abused inside of Anderson Center for Autism.
The whistleblower said that was suspended after repeatedly reporting the abuse. After his employment was suspended, the whistleblower pursued and gained video of the abuse so that they would believe him. The whistleblower told FOX5NY that that “almost everyone” is being abused regarding the kids being housed at Anderson Center for Autism, but that A.B.’s incident “is the only incident he caught on camera” the whistleblower told FOX5NY.
in the video, the caregiver Garnet Collins grabbed A.B.’s genitals and dragged him into a bedroom. Garnet was later sentenced to 1-3 years of prison;
the complaint further alleges that this conduct was part of a broader pattern, including alleged food deprivation, physical aggression toward residents, and a hostile environment for individuals with disabilities.

“As a mother, I will never forget the physical and sexual abuse my vulnerable, special-needs son endured at the hands of those entrusted to protect him. The acts were violent, deliberate, and deeply humiliating — a complete violation of his dignity. While the abuser is now behind bars, our fight is far from over. We will not rest until the Anderson Center for Autism is held fully accountable. We are fighting for justice for our son, and for every child who deserves safety, dignity, and true protection,” said Shalini Babbar, mother of A.B.

“Our son went to Anderson Center for Autism because we believed it was a place of safety, expertise, and care. Instead, we learned through a whistleblower’s video that he was subjected to sustained physical and sexual abuse in the very home that was supposed to protect him,” said Anil Babbar, father of A.B. “His dignity was taken from him, his trust in caregivers shattered, and our family’s life was divided into ‘before the video’ and ‘after the video.’ We must hold abusers like Anderson and other institutions responsible for their participation in the criminal ecosystem servicing the special needs community.”

“The total lack of humanity in this case is appalling. This family trusted Anderson to take care of their son. Instead he was abused and mistreated in ways no person should ever experience. We filed this lawsuit to seek justice for A.B. and to help ensure this never happens again,” said Ilann M. Maazel, Partner at Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP.

“What happened to A.B. in this case is the shocking result of repeated and systematic failures by an institution whose purpose was to protect A.B. and others like him within their care. While A.B.’s disability may have allowed Anderson to cover up its misconduct in the past, we are proud to represent A.B.’s family in bringing the repeated abuse and neglect to light today, and ensuring Anderson is held fully accountable,” said Sara Estela, also of Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP.

The complaint also alleges that supervisory personnel were made aware of concerns prior to the incident, including that Resident Manager Nadine Thompson was allegedly informed of abusive conduct weeks earlier and did not take action.

The caregiver Garnet Collins later pled guilty to the felony of endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person in the first degree and misdemeanor forcible touching.

The Impact on The Autistic Teenager, A.B.

The complaint alleges that after A.B. was removed from Anderson on the same day the family received the whistleblower message, he experienced significant behavioral deterioration, as well as repeated psychiatric crises and hospitalizations beginning in October 2024 and continuing into 2025.

The complaint further states that after his removal, A.B. exhibited trauma-related symptoms including fear, behavioral dysregulation, and repeated references to the alleged abuser, and that treating clinicians observed signs consistent with intrusive or reliving symptoms of trauma. The complaint states that A.B. was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and that the family has incurred substantial costs for around-the-clock behavioral supports and related care in response to the ongoing impact of the alleged abuse.

More Physical Abuse Discovered At and Reported On at Anderson Center For Autism

This lawsuit comes amid longstanding public scrutiny of New York’s disability services system. A 2011 New York Times investigation reported that Jonathan Carey’s parents had previously removed him from the Anderson Center for Autism after discovering written records describing the use of food restriction and extended isolation as behavioral interventions. The New York Times further reported that Carey later died while in care at a state-operated facility, and that public attention to his death helped spur reforms aimed at strengthening oversight, transparency, and accountability in New York’s disability-services system.

In August 2025, the Times Union reported that New York State Police arrested an Anderson employee in Hyde Park after staff reported observing bruising on a residential patient, and authorities alleged the employee restrained the patient while holding a pillow against the patient’s face.

Claims and Relief

The complaint asserts claims under federal and state law, including disability discrimination claims under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as claims for negligence, negligent supervision/training/retention, assault and battery, Fair Housing Act claims, and New York State Human Rights Law claims. Plaintiffs seek compensatory damages, punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, and other relief, and have demanded a jury trial.

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Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP is a nationally-recognized litigation boutique that focuses on civil rights, commercial, criminal, and ethics matters. Our civil rights practice includes wrongful convictions, sexual harassment and assault, police and prison misconduct, children’s and disability rights, housing rights, election law, all forms of discrimination, and class actions. Our commercial practice includes complex commercial litigation, partnership disputes, real estate and land use, investigations, ethics and discipline, and appeals. www.ecbawm.com