6 more men allege abuse by ‘Dr. Cold Fingers’ at Oregon youth prison

Editor’s Note: This story shares details of child sex abuse that may be disturbing for readers.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Six new men have alleged that an Oregon Youth Authority doctor sexually abused them while they were minors imprisoned at MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn, according to a new lawsuit filed in federal court on Friday.

News first broke in March that the state agency would face a massive lawsuit after at least 10 boys said they were subjected to sexual abuse during their time at the correctional facility.

Since then, OYA fired its director, Joe O’Leary. Ten other victims came forward in May and filed a lawsuit against the agency. The next month, 18 additional men came forward and filed two more lawsuits, also alleging sex abuse. Then, in July, 17 others came forward.

Though the exact number of victims is unknown, last week’s filing brings the total to at least 61. All of the men were minors who were incarcerated at the time of the incidents.

Dr. Edward Gary Edwards, also known as “Dr. Cold Fingers,” died in February. He was a physician at MacLaren’s medical clinic for more than 40 years, according to court documents. 

“Though some Plaintiffs filed grievances, those went unaddressed and uninvestigated, creating the impression that Edwards’ conduct was not abusive or that complaining was futile,” according to the lawsuit.

The clinic was the only medical provider the young boys and men had access to, and they were all required to have some level of physical contact with the doctor. Some MacLaren staff members made jokes about him, and some corrections officers allegedly weaponized medical visits by threatening to send youth inmates to “Dr. Cold Fingers” if they disobeyed orders, according to court documents.

The victims in the latest filing were all between the ages of 13 and 16 at the time.

The lawsuit names OYA Directors and MacLaren Superintendents. It alleges that their acts, and failures to act, enabled the abuse, which included: mental injury, rape, sexual assault and/or sexual exploitation. The plaintiffs are seeking damages in an amount to be determined at trial.

In response to the lawsuit, OYA sent a repeated statement to KOIN 6.

“The alleged conduct is abhorrent, and the accusations do not reflect what thousands of trusted adults do each day to help OYA youth become crime-free adults. Oregonians can count on OYA to act swiftly and decisively when individuals undermine our work.”