Injustice and Neglect: $33 Million Damages Award Affirmed in Ottawa County Civil Rights Lawsuit

Miami, Oklahoma – A judge has upheld a $33 million damages award and denied a request for a new trial in a civil rights lawsuit centered around the death of a 26-year-old man at Ottawa County jail in 2015. U.S. District Judge Claire R. Kelly issued the ruling, rejecting motions from Ottawa County, which had been sued by the estate of Terral Ellis II. The jury had previously found that the medical care provided by the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office violated Ellis’ constitutional rights. Ellis died on October 22, 2015, shortly after being taken to … Read more

Former Student Sues North Carolina Wilderness Camp Over Sexual Assault Allegations and Neglect

LAKE TOXAWAY, North Carolina – A former student of a wilderness camp in North Carolina has filed a lawsuit against the program, alleging that staff members ignored her claims of sexual assault and failed to provide basic necessities during her time there in 2016. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, accuses Trails Carolina of creating an environment where troubled children are sexually assaulted and of neglecting to provide adequate care and shelter for the children in their custody. This comes just days after the death of … Read more

Parents of Slain JSU Student File Lawsuit Against University, Alleging Neglect of Safety Measures

JACKSON, Miss. – The parents of a Jackson State University student who was killed on campus have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the university. Michele Hill Brown and Michael Brown are suing JSU on behalf of their son, 22-year-old Flynn Brown. The lawsuit claims that the university neglected Brown’s safety following prior incidents involving Brown and his roommate, Randall Smith, which ultimately led to his murder in December 2022. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation confirmed that Brown was shot and killed by Smith after a dispute over doughnuts in their dorm. Brown’s body was … Read more

Exploitation and Neglect: National Guard Members Accused of Abusing Vulnerable Migrants at Buffalo Hotels

Buffalo, New York – National Guard members stationed at hotels in Buffalo where migrants await asylum hearings are facing a federal lawsuit that accuses them of sexually exploiting the vulnerable population. The migrants, who describe feeling isolated and unsafe in their living conditions, have reported living in unclean rooms and experiencing limited access to the outside world. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, names the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, six New York National Guard members, and several employees of DocGo, the contractor hired by New York City … Read more