Santa Clara County has agreed to pay $5.5 million to settle a lawsuit concerning allegations of sexual abuse against children by its former chief pediatrician for foster youth, Dr. Patrick Clyne. The settlement, confirmed by the former foster youth’s attorney, marks a significant moment for the county’s child welfare and public health systems, which have faced criticism for their handling of abuse allegations over the years.
The lawsuit involved a Northern California resident now in his 30s who accused Clyne of sexually abusing him during his time in foster care. This settlement represents the first financial payment made by the county to one of Clyne’s accusers, and legal representatives anticipate that additional lawsuits may follow.
Long-Standing Allegations Against Clyne
Court records reveal that Santa Clara County had been warned multiple times about the potential abuse occurring under Clyne’s care but continued to employ him and place foster children in his home. According to attorney Wyatt Vespermann, the settlement was finalized in September, but county officials have only stated that “the settlement was properly authorized.”
Clyne, aged 64, has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has not faced criminal charges regarding these allegations. Numerous children in foster care, including several boys who lived with him while he was a licensed foster parent, have accused him of sexual abuse. These allegations date back to 2001, and Clyne has been subjected to various criminal investigations since then.
The former foster youth, who has bravely pursued justice, shared the personal toll of preparing his case, stating, “It is a very hard thing to stand up for yourself in my situation… But through perseverance and searching for some form of justice, I can sleep a little easier knowing I have made an impact against the evil that is out there.”
Systemic Failures and Legal Actions
The case against Santa Clara County was filed in Superior Court in 2020, years after the former foster youth reported the abuse to various authorities, including police and a criminal grand jury. In response to the allegations, the county has indicated plans to pursue a separate civil action against Clyne to establish his role in causing the injuries sustained by the former foster youth.
The former foster youth had been placed in Clyne’s home in 1995, after being removed from his mother. At that time, he was a fourth grader and one of several boys living with Clyne, a physician who also served as a foster parent. Allegations of abuse surfaced as early as 2001, with reports from social workers, parents, and therapists regarding the treatment of children in Clyne’s care.
In 2009, allegations intensified when at least ten children, aged 8 to 11, reported to law enforcement that Clyne sexually abused them during routine medical examinations. By 2011, the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office informed defense attorneys that there was “substantial evidence” of multiple crimes committed by Clyne, leading to his termination later that year.
Despite his dismissal, Clyne retained his medical license and opened a private practice in rural Santa Cruz County, where he faced further complaints. In 2021, California Attorney General Rob Bonta charged him with “unprofessional acts” and “gross negligence” during medical examinations. He surrendered his medical license in 2022.
Recent lawsuits filed by two additional former foster youths allege that Clyne abused them during health exams at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and Valley Health Center between 1998 and 2008. These lawsuits claim that Clyne not only groomed the children but also committed acts of sexual abuse during examinations.
The legal landscape shifted in 2020 when the California Child Victims Act expanded the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse cases, enabling victims to pursue legal action until the age of 40. This legislative change has allowed cases like that of the former foster youth to move forward.
“There were so many times when the system failed Kyle, and this is now the first time that the system has recognized that his harm was real,” Vespermann stated, reflecting on the significance of the settlement for the former foster youth.
This case highlights the urgent need for accountability within foster care systems, as well as the importance of protecting vulnerable children from potential predators. The substantial settlement paid by Santa Clara County serves as a reminder of the lasting impacts of such failures and the ongoing journey toward justice for victims of abuse.