Maine Court Partially Allows Forced Labor Suit Against Hyde School
A Maine federal judge denied parts of Hyde School's motion to dismiss a forced labor lawsuit.
Why it matters: The case challenges disciplinary methods and labor practices at a private school, raising issues about student rights and institutional limits under the law.
- The lawsuit was filed by former student Jessica Fuller, alleging abuse and forced labor during 2014-15.
- Judge Stacey Neumann allowed claims related to forced labor and surveillance to proceed but dismissed some human trafficking counts.
- Fuller seeks to certify a class-action representing over 100 affected students.
- The suit alleges the school used peer surveillance and 'attack therapy' as disciplinary tools.
On July 28, 2026, U.S. District Court Judge Stacey Neumann partially denied the Hyde School's motion to dismiss a lawsuit that accuses the private Maine boarding school of abusive and forced labor practices. The lawsuit, filed on July 11, 2025, by Jessica Fuller, a former student, alleges that during her seven months at Hyde in 2014 and 2015, the school engaged in coercive labor and subjected students to invasive surveillance methods.
Fuller seeks class-action status on behalf of over 100 individuals who experienced similar treatment. While Judge Neumann dismissed two counts specifically related to human trafficking and removed three former school leaders as defendants, she allowed other claims, including forced labor and negligence, to move forward.
The lawsuit highlights the school's use of a surveillance system that conscripted students into monitoring one another, punishing silent bystanders as complicit peers. It also describes “attack therapy,” where students sat in circles facing staff and peer criticism as part of disciplinary procedures.
Attorney Kim Dougherty representing Fuller said, "For far too long the school has hid behind a facade of claiming their mistreatment of children constitutes 'character development.' It's clear that such a mischaracterization of the school's abusive conduct will not work."
This legal battle draws attention to the boundaries between discipline and abuse within educational institutions, as well as the enforcement of labor and civil liberties protections for students. The decision to let key claims proceed underscores the seriousness of allegations regarding forced labor and peer policing techniques within the school environment.
By the numbers:
- 7 months — Jessica Fuller's attendance at Hyde School in 2014-2015
- 100+ individuals — potential class members seeking collective legal relief
- July 28, 2026 — date of partial denial of Hyde School’s dismissal motion
Yes, but: While the court allowed most claims to proceed, it did dismiss human trafficking charges and removed some defendants, limiting the scope of liability.
What's next: The case will move forward with the remaining claims, including consideration of class-action status for over 100 plaintiffs.