Chicago therapist's sexual abuse pushed young woman to suicide, family's lawsuit says

A young woman’s family filed a lawsuit Wednesday alleging she was sexually abused by a Chicago therapist for years, pushing her to take her life last year at 21.

The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Court, holds that Matthew Rounds abused Anabelle Hauter when he was a clinical psychology intern at Insight Psychological Centers and the Chicago Psychological Health & Wellness Corp. between August 2016 and October 2020. The abuse allegedly continued after she stopped seeing him for therapy.

Hauter was a minor during much of that time, according to the lawsuit.

Rounds solicited sexual acts from Hauter in exchange for money and had her introduce him to other girls who were around the same age, the lawsuit states. At one point, Rounds met with Hauter and other girls under 18 at a motel in Hammond, Indiana, where he paid them for sexual acts.

The lawsuit also names Insight Psychological Centers and the Chicago Psychological Health & Wellness Corp. as defendants. Insight didn't respond to a request for comment, and a phone number for Chicago Psychological Health & Wellness had been disconnected. An email sent to Rounds seeking comment wasn't returned.

The wrongful death lawsuit claims the sexual abuse harmed Hauter's mental health and led to her death.

The lawsuit also accuses the mental health clinics of sexual exploitation and violating the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Rounds is accused of negligence, and sexual assault and battery. Hauter's family seeks judgment of at least $50,000.

Ervin Nevitt, a lawyer representing Hauter’s family, said in a statement that Insight and Chicago Psychological Health & Wellness “failed in their duty to protect Anabelle from a predator in their employ.”

“They had the responsibility to ensure their therapists were properly trained, supervised, and vetted,” Nevitt said. “Anabelle was left vulnerable under the care of someone they should have trusted, and it cost her life. We are committed to holding those responsible for this tragedy fully accountable.”