HUNTINGTON – A father alleges his special needs adult son was abused while under the care of a private group residential facility and business.
R.L. a protected person, through his father Thomas Layne, filed a complaint on Oct. 5 in Cabell Circuit Court against Starlight Behavioral Services Inc., Starlight Behavioral Health Services LLC, Tyler Moore, Jimmy Hardwick and Michael "Mike" Herald alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that while R.L. was under the care of defendant Starlight, R.L. was physically and mentally abused and assaulted by defendant Moore and Hardwick. The suit states Herald allegedly observed some of the abuse but did not intervene.
The plaintiffs holds Starlight Behavioral Services Inc., Starlight Behavioral Health Services LLC, Moore, Hardwick and Herald responsible because defendant Starlight allegedly failed to properly supervise its agents and employees to prevent residents from being physically assaulted and/or abused and negligently failed to hire and train its employees.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment against defendants, jointly and severally, for compensatory and punitive damages, costs for this action and such other general relief as the court deems proper. They are represented by Marvin W. Masters and Kelly Elswick-Hall of The Masters Law Firm LC in Charleston.
Cabell Circuit Court Case number 16-c-638
