Psychologist accused of sexually assaulting patients at Columbia County juvenile detention

A psychologist is accused of sexually assaulting eight victims between the ages of 16 and 18 at a Columbia County juvenile detention center over the course of several years.

Dr. Maya Hayes, 46, of Albany, has been indicted on 62 counts of third-degree criminal sex act and three counts of rape, the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office said.

The alleged incidents occurred when Hayes was employed as an associate psychologist at the Brookwood Secure Center, State Police said. Brookwood is a facility for male and female juvenile offenders who committed violent felonies and were convicted and sentenced in adult criminal court or family court, according to its website.

The offenses took place between 2020 and late 2022, according to the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office. Officials became aware of the case after discovering contraband at the facility,

Hayes was arraigned on Friday in Columbia County Court and released under the supervision of the Columbia County Probation Department. She is due back in court on July 12.

Each count of the indictment contains a maximum sentence of 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison and they can run consecutively.

“The children housed at Brookwood deserve to be housed in a safe environment without being sexually assaulted by staff. Unfortunately, Dr. Hayes took advantage of her position of trust and authority to sexually assault multiple minors in her care over the course of several years. We look forward to bringing this case to trial before a jury of the People of Columbia County and to achieving justice for the victims,” Columbia County District Attorney Chris Liberati-Conant said in a statement.

The Justice Center, which has been working with the Columbia County District attorney’s Office and State Police., released a statement about the arrest.

“These predatorial crimes serve as an unfortunate reminder that our state’s most vulnerable populations are particularly susceptible to abuse. The people of New York, and especially our youth communities, deserve better,” said Acting Executive Director Maria Lisi-Murray in the statement.

“In creating the Justice Center, New York established the strongest protections in the country for individuals with special needs, including those receiving services at youth detention centers. We must ensure justice is served for these young victims, and we will use every method within our power to hold Ms. Hayes accountable for her actions.”