A young woman who was sexually assaulted by a part-time guard at Echo Glen Children's Center is suing the center and the Washington Department of Social and Health Services.

The complaint, filed Tuesday, July 28, in King County Superior Court, states that the woman, a 19-year-old inmate identified as B.B. in court papers, was forcibly raped at the Snoqualmie facility.

The guard, Robert H. Fox, had been grooming her for a sexual relationship for some time, according to the complaint. Fox entered her room on May 6, 2008, took off her clothes, and sexually assaulted her.

The woman told fellow residents what happened, and one of them reported it to a counselor, who reported the assault to police.

The woman had been scheduled to be released from custody last July, and had overcome a number of issues, including trusting authority and self-confidence, prior to the assault, court papers stated.

Fox was charged with first-degree custodial sexual misconduct in July. He pleaded guilty to the charge last February and was sentenced March 20 to eight months in jail.

In the suit, lawyers for B.B. charge that the state and Echo Glen negligently hired, trained and supervised Fox, and that, as a result, Fox was able to use his authority to commit rape. B.B continues to suffer physical and mental injury, anguish an emotional distress, papers state.

The suit calls for damages, attorney fees and other relief.

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