Resurfaced Lawsuit Highlights Earliest Alleged Epstein Abuse as Document Delays Persist
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina — A decades-old allegation of sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein has regained attention amid the slow trickle of US government disclosures related to the late financier and convicted sex offender. Court documents originally filed in 2019 against Epstein’s estate describe how a 13-year-old girl was allegedly raped in a vacation rental on this South Carolina barrier island in 1984, marking one of the earliest reported incidents in Epstein’s long history of alleged exploitation.
The plaintiff, identified only as Jane Doe 4 in the amended complaint filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, claims Epstein rented the beach house from her mother, a local real estate agent. As was customary for tourists on the island, the teenager offered babysitting services. Upon arrival, however, no children were present. According to the lawsuit, Epstein provided her with alcohol and drugs before assaulting her. The abuse allegedly continued over several years, with Epstein supplying substances and committing repeated rapes under the pretense of further babysitting engagements.
The filing further alleges that Epstein later transported the girl to New York City for “intimate gatherings,” where she was assaulted by other prominent and wealthy men. Epstein is accused of knowingly facilitating these encounters, referring to her as “fresh meat” for his associates. The psychological impact was profound: the lawsuit states the plaintiff dropped out of high school in 10th grade partly due to the trauma.
The case was part of a broader civil action against Epstein’s estate following his 2019 death by suicide while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. Jane Doe 4 eventually reached a confidential financial settlement with the estate. No criminal charges stemmed directly from these specific allegations, which predate Epstein’s better-known activities in Palm Beach, Florida, New York, and his private Caribbean islands.
The resurfacing of the Hilton Head claims coincides with renewed public and political scrutiny of Epstein-related records. In January 2026, the US Department of Justice informed a federal judge that fewer than 1% of potentially responsive documents—approximately 12,285 out of an estimated 2 million or more—have been released publicly via the “Epstein Library” portal. This falls short of the December 19, 2025, deadline set by the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandated broad disclosure of unclassified materials while protecting victim identities.
Attorney General Pam Bondi cited the need for extensive redactions and victim privacy safeguards as reasons for the delay, noting the involvement of hundreds of attorneys and FBI analysts. Bipartisan lawmakers, including Democratic Representative Ro Khanna and Republican Thomas Massie, have criticized the pace and called for an independent monitor. The released tranches have included photographs, flight logs, and court records, but little new evidence has emerged regarding earlier periods like the 1980s.
The Hilton Head incident underscores how Epstein’s alleged pattern of grooming began well before his rise to prominence in finance. In the 1980s, Epstein was establishing himself in New York after leaving Bear Stearns, often described by associates as a “bounty hunter” recovering assets for wealthy clients. His presence on Hilton Head—a popular upscale resort destination—appears tied to vacation rentals rather than permanent property ownership.
Survivors’ advocates argue that early allegations like this one highlight systemic failures in addressing Epstein’s behavior decades ago. The case also illustrates the challenges of prosecuting historical sexual abuse, particularly when victims were minors and powerful figures may have been involved indirectly.
As the DOJ review continues, the episode serves as a reminder of the enduring human cost of Epstein’s alleged crimes. With millions of pages still under examination, questions linger about the full scope of his network and whether earlier interventions could have prevented later abuses.
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