Michelle Yates and the Grafton School face civil lawsuit after allegedly dragging and abusing a 13-year-old boy at their Berryville, Virginia facility

Shocking surveillance footage has brought national attention to allegations against a psychiatric worker in Virginia accused of physically abusing a 13-year-old boy.

Michelle Yates, along with her former employer, the Grafton School in Berryville, now faces a civil lawsuit claiming both abuse and tampering with video evidence.

Disturbing Footage Captures Alleged Incident

According to reports from the Winchester Gazette, the footage shows Yates, dressed in a red Christmas sweater and a face mask, interacting with the boy in a common area of the facility.

In the video, the boy reaches toward her legs, and Yates responds by grabbing him by his shirt.

As she drags him a short distance, his shirt becomes wrapped around his neck, and he momentarily goes limp before attempting to cling to her again.

The footage allegedly shows her eventually taking hold of his arm and leading him into a room, where a door was closed behind them.

Allegations of Evidence Destruction

Plaintiff attorneys claim that additional footage capturing the aftermath was destroyed by the facility.

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“Families place their children in facilities like Grafton expecting their safety to be protected,” said Gray Broughton, attorney for the boy.

“This case raises serious questions about staff conduct and how the facility responded after the incident.”

The lawsuit alleges multiple failures on the part of both Yates and the Grafton School, including causing physical harm to the child, institutional neglect, lack of proper supervision, and destruction of key evidence.

Grafton School’s Role Under Scrutiny

The Grafton School in Berryville markets itself as a secure facility dedicated to helping children and adolescents develop skills for community living.

However, the current lawsuit casts a spotlight on the facility’s internal practices and the conduct of its staff.

When approached for comment, Grafton’s communications team declined, citing ongoing litigation.

Broader Questions About Child Safety

The case raises larger concerns about oversight in residential psychiatric and behavioral health facilities.

Advocates for child safety note that these centers must balance therapeutic care with strict protocols to prevent harm.

Allegations such as those in the Grafton case underscore the importance of independent monitoring, transparent reporting, and accountability for staff.

Legal Proceedings Moving Forward

Yates and the Grafton School are expected to appear in Winchester Circuit Court, where the surveillance footage is anticipated to play a central role in the civil trial.

Attorneys for the plaintiff argue that the evidence is critical to demonstrating both the alleged abuse and the facility’s failure to preserve records.

The lawsuit continues to develop, and it is likely to prompt renewed discussion about the standards and oversight of psychiatric facilities for minors, particularly those that describe themselves as secure and therapeutic.