PRINCETON — Three Mercer County residents are suing Rescare Behavior Services Inc., Makayla Belcher, Erin Rodgers and Jennifer Ellis, citing alleged destruction of property, negligent supervision and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
Dreama Meadows, Leland Pennington and Leah Pennington filed a complaint on May 31 in Mercer Circuit Court against the defendants, alleging that Ellis was not supervised and battered the plaintiffs without cause or provocation.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that on Jan. 29, 2015, the plaintiffs were involved in a car accident and were brought to Princeton Community Hospital. While they were in the emergency department waiting room, Ellis, who is mentally challenged and has episodes of violence, knocked the head of Leland Pennington off Meadows' lap, causing his head to hit the floor, the suit says. Ellis also grabbed Meadows' necklace, choked her and destroyed the necklace in the process, the suit claims. The plaintiffs hold the defendants responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to inform the hospital that they would be bringing in a violent and mentally challenged client. Furthermore, Belcher and Rodgers allegedly failed to supervise Ellis while she was in the hospital..
The plaintiffs seek compensation of $100,000 for Dreama Meadows, $100,000 for Leland Pennington and $75,000 for Leah Pennington. They are represented by Rockwell Seay of Parrot & Seay PLLC in Princeton.
Mercer Circuit Court Case number 16-c-171-D3
