Wednesday, October 19, 2005

State officials respond to McLean lawsuit

The Missouri attorney general's office, representing the Division of Family Services and individual social workers, responded today to Brandie McLean's wrongful death lawsuit.
Ms. McLean filed suit against the state agency, its employees and foster parents Mark and Treva Gordon of Alba, in connection with the death of her eight-year-old son, Braxton Wooden, who was staying with the Gordons as a foster child. Braxton Wooden was shot to death by the Gordons' son.
As expected, the agency denies most of the allegations and says it has no knowledge of the others.
The attorney general's office offers 24 affirmative defenses against the allegations including official immunity and a claim that Ms. McLean's lawsuit is fraudulent and she has no standing to sue.
The attorney general's office is asking for a jury trial.
The lawsuit was initially filed in Jasper County Circuit Court, and then removed to federal court earlier this month. Defendants include the Gordons, their son, Ethan, who killed Braxton Wooden, Social Services caseworkers John McGinnis and Mickey Morgan.
A summary of the case can be found in the Oct. 5 Turner Report.

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