GREAT FALLS, Mont. — A jury has awarded $11.2 million to Seraphina “Sera” Wilson, who suffered severe abuse as an infant in 2009, resulting in permanent blindness and traumatic brain injuries. The civil trial concluded that the State of Montana failed to adequately investigate prior reports of child abuse associated with Sera’s case.
The jury delivered its verdict on Monday, stemming from a tragic incident that took place in February 2009, during which Sera was brutally attacked by her father’s live-in girlfriend, Alicia Hocter. At just six months old, Sera sustained life-altering injuries that necessitate full-time care.
Hocter was convicted in a 2010 criminal trial and is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence for her role in the abuse. During the civil proceedings, Sera’s attorney, Raph Graybill, contended that state officials were aware of the abuse as early as December 2008 but failed to take necessary action to protect her.
Graybill stated that the state did not implement a safety plan or seek emergency intervention following two additional reports of abuse in January 2009. He emphasized the state’s negligence allowed the brutal attack on Sera to occur on February 18, 2009.
The jury ultimately determined that the State of Montana was negligent in its responsibilities to protect Sera, resulting in the substantial award. Graybill remarked that the outcome also highlights the critical need for effective investigations into child abuse allegations.
Max Davis, the attorney who represented the state during the trial, expressed disappointment in the jury’s decision but acknowledged the integrity of the judicial process. The case raises important questions about accountability and the mechanisms in place to safeguard vulnerable children from abuse.
As the community reflects on this tragic case, the verdict serves as a crucial reminder of the need for vigilance in protecting children.
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