Bittersweet Justice-Indiana -Alissa Guernsey case-Child Death
Occasionally there is justice for those negatively affected by the child welfare and adoption systems. Unfortunately, it is usually bittersweet and much too late. This will serve as REFORM Talk’s justice files.
In LaGrange, Indiana, Alissa Guernsey died at 15 months of age in kinship foster care on March 28, 2009 at the hands of her cousin/foster mother Christy Shaffer. There was little justice in the trial. After taking a plea deal (“In doing so, she admitted she was guilty of felony neglect of a dependent”), she was sentenced to 10 years and had 6 years suspended. She was released from prison after only serving 77 days on August 11, 2011.
[CNN 9/17/11]
Indiana DCS has now settled a lawsuit with her mother Kelli Sprunger for $150,000.
“”There is a settlement,” DCS spokeswoman Stephanie McFarland confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday. “We were just waiting for all the paperwork to be done … I think it’s been signed by all the parties.”
McFarland said in a statement that the settlement didn’t assign fault, nor could it reflect the value of a child’s life.
The toddler died from unexplained injuries in early 2009, a few months after she was placed with Sprunger’s cousin, Christy Shaffer, by the DCS.
The autopsy report said the child’s medical history indicated previous injuries. The autopsy also found bleeding inside the girl’s skull, an inch-long cut inside her mouth that was starting to heal and multiple facial bruises.
Sprunger originally filed the lawsuit in LaGrange Circuit Court, but in June 2010, the case was moved to federal court in Fort Wayne. DCS was one of several parties named in the complaint.
Shaffer claimed she didn’t know how Alissa received her injuries and denied striking the toddler. Shaffer was convicted of neglect and sentenced to four years in prison, but released after serving 77 days.
The lawsuit claimed the DCS caseworker assigned to the case did not pay enough attention to the frequency of the girl’s injuries. The caseworker no longer works for the agency.
Attorney Kevin Likes, who represents Sprunger, told the Tribune that he considers a $150,000 mediated settlement with a government agency a victory.
Sprunger said she plans to use the money to pay for surgery for another of her daughters, who is disabled.”
Attorney: DCS settles suit in child’s death
[WISH TV 10/13/12 by Associated Press]
Her story is also in this 4 minute YouTube memorial video (Caution: graphic photos towards end. Do NOT click if you get squeamish.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQjnMwhjltc
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