CHARLESTON – Two developmentally disabled individuals and their parents allege that a Romney center did not prevent abuse from agents and employees.
L.K. by her parent, guardian and next friend M.C. and D.S., a minor, by his parent, guardian and next friend D.C. filed a complaint Sept. 22 in Kanawha Circuit Court against the Potomac Comprehensive Diagnostics & Guidance Center Inc., also known as Potomac Center Inc.; Rick Harshbarger, Kim Helmstetter; and Kevin Helms alleging negligence and other counts.
According to the complaint, L.K. and D.S. are developmentally disabled and were placed in the Potomac Center "because of its claim to provide residential assistance and support to children and adults with developmental disabilities." The suit states L.K. and D.S. resided there for a period between 2013 and 2014 and were the victims of abuse and neglect. The plaintiffs allege L.K. and D.S. did not receive the services the defendants' facility claimed to offer. The suit also states that the Potomac Center was subject to a criminal investigation.
The plaintiffs hold Potomac Comprehensive Diagnostics & Guidance Center Inc., Harshbarger, Helmstetter and Helms responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to hire, train and supervise their employees in order to prevent the alleged abuses.
The plaintiffs seek actual damages, compensatory damages, emotional distress and annoyance and inconvenience, punitive and exemplary damages, court costs and any further relief the court grants. They are represented by Jonathan Marshall of Bailey and Glasser LLP in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Louis H. Bloom.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 17-C-1328
