Case: Fuller v. Hyde School

2:25-cv-00354 | U.S. District Court for the District of Maine

Filed Date: July 11, 2025

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On July 11, 2025, an individual brought a putative class action against the Hyde School, alleging that the school had subjected children to forced labor, abuse, and exploitation under the guise of helping troubled teens. The plaintiff, a former student, alleged the Hyde School's family owners and management participated in the 'Troubled Teen Industry,' profiting greatly from parents' desperation to help their struggling children while also abusing, exploiting, and forcing labor onto those child…

On July 11, 2025, an individual brought a putative class action against the Hyde School, alleging that the school had subjected children to forced labor, abuse, and exploitation under the guise of helping troubled teens.

The plaintiff, a former student, alleged the Hyde School's family owners and management participated in the 'Troubled Teen Industry,' profiting greatly from parents' desperation to help their struggling children while also abusing, exploiting, and forcing labor onto those children. She sought to represent a class of students at the school who had been subjected to forced labor. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maine, the plaintiff, on behalf of the putative class, sued the defendants under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act and Title 17 of Maine's Revised Statutes, and, individually, sued the defendants for negligence, negligence-per-se, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Represented by Island Justice and Justice Law Collaborative, the plaintiff sought a temporary restraining order; a preliminary injunction; a permanent injunction; asset preservation relief; class certification;  compensatory, statutory, restitution, and punitive damages; class damages; pre- and post-judgment interest; declaratory relief; a jury trial; and reasonable attorneys' fees.

On July 31, 2025, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint, adding additional claims. 

On October 7, 2025, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss for lack of subject-matter jurisdiction and failure to state a claim for relief. In response to this motion to dismiss, the plaintiff voluntarily withdrew her standalone individual tort claims and claim for injunctive relief. 

The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann. The case is ongoing, and all deadlines are stayed, as of December 16, 2025, after withdrawal of local counsel; plaintiff has sixty days to secure new local counsel.  

 

Summary Authors

Ashley Hamilton (1/15/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70764936/parties/fuller-v-hyde-school/


Attorney for Plaintiff

GUAGENTY, KELLY A. (Maine)

STEED, JOHN Z. (Maine)

Attorney for Defendant

GAYTHWAITE, MARTHA C. (Maine)

GROSSNICKLE, SARAH K. (Maine)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

2:25-cv-00354

Class Action Complaint; Demand for Jury Trial

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Complaint
6

2:25-cv-00354

First Amended Individual and Class Action Complaint

July 31, 2025

July 31, 2025

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70764936/fuller-v-hyde-school/

Last updated Feb. 14, 2026, 1:42 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against LAURA GAULD, MALCOLM GAULD, LAURIE GAULD HURD, GEORGIA GAULD MACMILLAN, HYDE SCHOOL, MALCOLM MACMILLAN with Jury Demand PAYMENT OF FILING FEE DUE WITHIN 48 HOURS. IF FILING FEE IS BEING PAID WITH A CREDIT CARD COUNSEL ARE INSTRUCTED TO LOGIN TO CMECF AND DOCKET Case Opening Filing Fee Paid FOUND IN THE Complaints and Other Initiating Documents CATEGORY. CHECK PAYMENTS DUE WITHIN 48 HOURS., filed by JESSICA FULLER. (Service of Process Deadline 10/9/2025) Fee due by 7/22/2025.(lcb) (Entered: 07/11/2025)

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

CIVIL COVER SHEET. (lcb) (Entered: 07/11/2025)

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

RECAP
3

CERTIFICATION for Admission Pro Hac Vice of Kelly A. Guagenty filed by JOHN Z. STEED on behalf of JESSICA FULLER (Total admission fee $ 200 receipt number AMEDC-3137326.) The District of Maine is a CM/ECF NextGen Court. If PHV counsel has not previously been granted electronic filing rights with the District of Maine, PHV counsel will now need to submit a PRO HAC VICE request in this District via PACER at www.pacer.uscourts.gov (STEED, JOHN) (Entered: 07/11/2025)

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

RECAP

Deadlines : Per Civil Rule 7.1 as Amended December 1, 2022 Disclosure Statement due by 7/18/2025. (lcb)

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Deadlines : Maine has transitioned to the NextGen ECF filing system; therefore, to complete the admissions process, Attorney KELLY A. GUAGENTY must register for a PACER account and/or request the appropriate e-filing rights in the District of Maine via PACER at www.pacer.uscourts.gov by 7/18/2025. NOTE: Counsel appearing Pro Hac Vice MUST click on the PRO HAC VICE link when requesting e-filing rights via PACER. For more details on NextGen/PACER go to our website at www.med.uscourts.gov. Pro Hac Vice Certificate due by 7/18/2025. The Certification for Admission Pro Hac Vice form can be downloaded from our website at http://www.med.uscourts.gov/forms. (lcb)

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Filing Fee Paid via Credit Card ( Filing fee $ 405 receipt number AMEDC-3137323.), filed by JESSICA FULLER.(STEED, JOHN)

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

4

NOTICE of APPROVAL by Clerk's Office re 3 Certification for Admission Pro Hac Vice,, Attorney KELLY A. GUAGENTY for JESSICA FULLER added to this specific case only. Maine has transitioned to the NextGen ECF filing system; therefore, to complete the admissions process, Attorney Guagenty must register for a PACER account and/or request the appropriate e-filing rights in the District of Maine via PACER at www.pacer.uscourts.gov by 7/21/2025. NOTE: Counsel appearing Pro Hac Vice MUST click on the PRO HAC VICE link when requesting e-filing rights via PACER. For more details on NextGen/PACER go to our website at www.med.uscourts.gov. (lrt) (Entered: 07/14/2025)

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

5

RULE 7.1 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT by JESSICA FULLER. (STEED, JOHN) (Entered: 07/23/2025)

July 23, 2025

July 23, 2025

RECAP

Reset Deadlines: Per Civil Rule 7.1 as Amended December 1, 2022 Disclosure Statement due from JESSICA FULLER by 7/30/2025. (slg)

July 23, 2025

July 23, 2025

6

First AMENDED COMPLAINT against LAURA GAULD, MALCOLM GAULD, LAURIE GAULD HURD, GEORGIA GAULD MACMILLAN, HYDE SCHOOL, DONALD MACMILLAN, filed by JESSICA FULLER. (Service of Process Deadline 10/29/2025) (Attachments: # 1 Summons D MACMILLAN, # 2 Summons G MACMILLAN, # 3 Summons HYDE SCHOOL, # 4 Summons L HURD, # 5 Summons L GAULD, # 6 Summons M GAULD)(GUAGENTY, KELLY) (Entered: 07/31/2025)

1 Summons D MACMILLAN

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2 Summons G MACMILLAN

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3 Summons HYDE SCHOOL

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4 Summons L HURD

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5 Summons L GAULD

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6 Summons M GAULD

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July 31, 2025

July 31, 2025

Clearinghouse
7

Summons Issued as to LAURA GAULD, MALCOLM GAULD, LAURIE GAULD HURD, GEORGIA GAULD MACMILLAN, HYDE SCHOOL, DONALD MACMILLAN. Counsel shall print the embossed summons and effect service in the manner in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P.4. Note-If you are using Version 6 of Adobe Acrobat, be sure the PRINT WHAT field is set to DOCUMENTS AND COMMENTS (Click File, then Print to check this setting). Main: Summons - Hyde School (Attachments: # 1 Summons - Laura Gauld, # 2 Summons - Malcolm Gauld, # 3 Summons - Georgia Gauld MacMillan, # 4 Summons - Laurie Gauld Hurd, # 5 Summons - Donald MacMillan)(slg) (Entered: 08/06/2025)

1 Summons - Laura Gauld

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2 Summons - Malcolm Gauld

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3 Summons - Georgia Gauld MacMillan

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4 Summons - Laurie Gauld Hurd

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5 Summons - Donald MacMillan

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Aug. 6, 2025

Aug. 6, 2025

RECAP
8

SERVICE Returned EXECUTED filed by JESSICA FULLER as to DONALD MACMILLAN. (GUAGENTY, KELLY) (Entered: 09/03/2025)

Sept. 3, 2025

Sept. 3, 2025

RECAP
9

SERVICE Returned EXECUTED filed by JESSICA FULLER as to GEORGIA GAULD MACMILLAN. (GUAGENTY, KELLY) (Entered: 09/03/2025)

Sept. 3, 2025

Sept. 3, 2025

RECAP
10

SERVICE Returned EXECUTED filed by JESSICA FULLER as to HYDE SCHOOL. (GUAGENTY, KELLY) (Entered: 09/03/2025)

Sept. 3, 2025

Sept. 3, 2025

RECAP
11

SERVICE Returned EXECUTED filed by JESSICA FULLER as to LAURA GAULD. (GUAGENTY, KELLY) (Entered: 09/03/2025)

Sept. 3, 2025

Sept. 3, 2025

RECAP
12

SERVICE Returned EXECUTED filed by JESSICA FULLER as to LAURIE GAULD HURD. (GUAGENTY, KELLY) (Entered: 09/03/2025)

Sept. 3, 2025

Sept. 3, 2025

RECAP
13

SERVICE Returned EXECUTED filed by JESSICA FULLER as to MALCOLM GAULD. (GUAGENTY, KELLY) (Entered: 09/03/2025)

Sept. 3, 2025

Sept. 3, 2025

RECAP

Set Answer Deadline for LAURA GAULD, MALCOLM GAULD, LAURIE GAULD HURD, GEORGIA GAULD MACMILLAN, HYDE SCHOOL, DONALD MACMILLAN: Answer due by 9/16/2025. (slg)

Sept. 3, 2025

Sept. 3, 2025

14

NOTICE of Appearance by MARTHA C. GAYTHWAITE on behalf of All Defendants (GAYTHWAITE, MARTHA) (Entered: 09/11/2025)

Sept. 11, 2025

Sept. 11, 2025

RECAP
15

NOTICE of Appearance by SARAH K. GROSSNICKLE on behalf of All Defendants (GROSSNICKLE, SARAH) (Entered: 09/12/2025)

Sept. 12, 2025

Sept. 12, 2025

RECAP
16

Consent MOTION to Extend Time to File Answer re 6 Amended Complaint, by LAURA GAULD, MALCOLM GAULD, LAURIE GAULD HURD, GEORGIA GAULD MACMILLAN, HYDE SCHOOL, DONALD MACMILLAN, MALCOLM MACMILLAN Responses due by 10/3/2025. (GROSSNICKLE, SARAH) (Entered: 09/12/2025)

Sept. 12, 2025

Sept. 12, 2025

RECAP
17

RULE 7.1 DISCLOSURE STATEMENT of Hyde School by LAURA GAULD, MALCOLM GAULD, LAURIE GAULD HURD, GEORGIA GAULD MACMILLAN, HYDE SCHOOL, DONALD MACMILLAN. (GROSSNICKLE, SARAH) (Entered: 09/12/2025)

Sept. 12, 2025

Sept. 12, 2025

RECAP
18

ORDER OF RECUSAL. MAGISTRATE JUDGE KAREN FRINK WOLF recused. By MAGISTRATE JUDGE KAREN FRINK WOLF. (lcb) (Entered: 09/12/2025)

Sept. 12, 2025

Sept. 12, 2025

RECAP
19

ORDER granting 16 Motion to Extend Time to File Response to Amended Complaint. Time is extended to October 7, 2025. By MAGISTRATE JUDGE JOHN C. NIVISON. (NIVISON, JOHN) (Entered: 09/15/2025)

Sept. 15, 2025

Sept. 15, 2025

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Sept. 15, 2025

Sept. 15, 2025

Case Reassigned to MAGISTRATE JUDGE JOHN C. NIVISON. Motions referred to JOHN C. NIVISON. (slg)

Sept. 15, 2025

Sept. 15, 2025

Reset Answer Deadline for LAURA GAULD, MALCOLM GAULD, LAURIE GAULD HURD, GEORGIA GAULD MACMILLAN, HYDE SCHOOL, DONALD MACMILLAN: Answer due by 10/7/2025. (slg)

Sept. 15, 2025

Sept. 15, 2025

20

MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim and Incorporated Memorandum of Law by LAURA GAULD, MALCOLM GAULD, LAURIE GAULD HURD, GEORGIA GAULD MACMILLAN, HYDE SCHOOL, DONALD MACMILLAN, MALCOLM MACMILLAN Responses due by 10/28/2025. (GAYTHWAITE, MARTHA) (Entered: 10/07/2025)

Oct. 7, 2025

Oct. 7, 2025

RECAP

Case Reassigned to JUDGE STACEY D. NEUMANN. JUDGE NANCY TORRESEN no longer assigned to the case. (slg)

Oct. 10, 2025

Oct. 10, 2025

21

Consent MOTION to Extend Time to File Answer re 20 MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim and Incorporated Memorandum of Law to November 28, 2025 by JESSICA FULLER Responses due by 11/7/2025. (GUAGENTY, KELLY) (Entered: 10/17/2025)

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

RECAP
22

Joint MOTION For Leave to Enlarge Page Limitations by JESSICA FULLER Responses due by 11/7/2025. (GUAGENTY, KELLY) (Entered: 10/17/2025)

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

RECAP
23

ORDER granting 21 Motion to Extend Time to File Response to Motion to Dismiss. Time is extended to November 28, 2025. By MAGISTRATE JUDGE JOHN C. NIVISON. (NIVISON, JOHN) (Entered: 10/17/2025)

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

24

ORDER granting 22 Motion for Leave to Enlarge Page Limitations. Plaintiff may file a response up to 25 pages in length; Defendants may file a reply memorandum up to 10 pages in length. By MAGISTRATE JUDGE JOHN C. NIVISON. (NIVISON, JOHN) (Entered: 10/17/2025)

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief 1

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer

Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025

Reset Deadlines as to 20 MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim per Order #23: Responses due by 11/28/2025. (mmy)

Oct. 20, 2025

Oct. 20, 2025

25

RESPONSE in Opposition re 20 MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim filed by JESSICA FULLER. Reply due by 12/9/2025. (GUAGENTY, KELLY) (Entered: 11/25/2025)

Nov. 25, 2025

Nov. 25, 2025

RECAP
26

REPLY to Response to Motion re 20 MOTION to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim filed by LAURA GAULD, MALCOLM GAULD, LAURIE GAULD HURD, GEORGIA GAULD MACMILLAN, HYDE SCHOOL, DONALD MACMILLAN, MALCOLM MACMILLAN. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Statute, # 2 Exhibit Statute)(GROSSNICKLE, SARAH) (Entered: 12/09/2025)

1 Exhibit Statute

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2 Exhibit Statute

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Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

RECAP
27

MOTION by Attorney John Z. Steed to Withdraw as Attorney by JESSICA FULLER Responses due by 12/30/2025. (STEED, JOHN) (Entered: 12/09/2025)

Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

RECAP
28

MOTION to Withdraw Support for Pro Hac Vice Application (ECF 3) by JESSICA FULLER Responses due by 12/30/2025. (STEED, JOHN) Modified on 12/10/2025 to fix docket text (mmy). (Entered: 12/09/2025)

Dec. 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025

RECAP
29

NOTICE/CORRESPONDENCE Re: Errata Regarding Plaintiff's Opposition to Defendants' Motion to Dismiss by JESSICA FULLER (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Index - Ex A-D Legal Authority)(GUAGENTY, KELLY) Modified on 12/11/2025 to remove duplicate exhibit text (mmy). (Entered: 12/10/2025)

1 Exhibit Index - Ex A-D Legal Authority

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Dec. 10, 2025

Dec. 10, 2025

RECAP
30

OBJECTION to 29 Notice (Other)/Correspondence, filed by LAURA GAULD, MALCOLM GAULD, LAURIE GAULD HURD, GEORGIA GAULD MACMILLAN, HYDE SCHOOL, DONALD MACMILLAN, MALCOLM MACMILLAN. Responses due by 12/26/2025. (GROSSNICKLE, SARAH) (Entered: 12/11/2025)

Dec. 11, 2025

Dec. 11, 2025

RECAP
31

ORDER: Attorney Steed's Motion to Withdraw, ECF 27 & 28, is granted. Attorney Guagenty has sixty (60) days to secure new local counsel and may continue to represent Plaintiff in the interim to prevent any gap in representation. All deadlines will be stayed pending the notice of appearance of such local counsel. Any issues raised in Defendants' Reply in Support of Motion to Dismiss the First Amended Individual and Class Action Complaint will be addressed in the context of the Courts decision on the Motion to Dismiss. By JUDGE STACEY D. NEUMANN. (mjlt) (Entered: 12/16/2025)

Dec. 16, 2025

Dec. 16, 2025

Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief 1 AND Order on Motion to Withdraw as Attorney

Dec. 16, 2025

Dec. 16, 2025

Set Deadlines In accordance with the Court's Order dated 12/16/2025: Attorney Guagenty to secure Local Counsel by due by 2/17/2026. (mjlt)

Dec. 16, 2025

Dec. 16, 2025

** Deadline set in error**Reset Deadlines as to 30 OBJECTION to 29 Notice (Other)/Correspondence, The Court will be closed on December 26, 2025: Responses due by 12/29/2002. (mjlt) Modified on 12/23/2025 to reflect deadline was set in error(mjlt).

Dec. 22, 2025

Dec. 22, 2025

Reset Deadlines as to 30 OBJECTION to 29 Notice (Other)/Correspondence, The Court will be closed on December 26,2025: Responses due by 12/29/2025. (Previous deadline set on 12/22/2025 has been marked in error as it had the incorrect year in the deadline) (mjlt)

Dec. 23, 2025

Dec. 23, 2025

Case Details

State / Territory:

Maine

Case Type(s):

Child Welfare

Education

Labor Rights

Key Dates

Filing Date: July 11, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Individual on behalf of a class of Hyde School students

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Pending

Defendants

Private Entity/Person

The Hyde School

Defendant Type(s):

Elementary/Secondary School

Housing Authority

Facility Type(s):

Non-government for-profit

Case Details

Causes of Action:

State law

Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), 18 U.S.C. § 1589

Other Dockets:

District of Maine 2:25-cv-00354

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Damages

Declaratory judgment

Document/Information

Injunction

Relief Granted:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Aggressive behavior

Assault/abuse by staff

Disciplinary procedures

Education

Forced labor

Juveniles

Neglect by staff

Recommended Citation