Wrongful Death Suit Filed Against Wisconsin Treatment Center

By Daniel Hawn

Published on November 30, 2005

The mother of a girl who died after falling from the third story of a treatment facility has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the facility's owners.

Pamela Vaughn of Allerton, Iowa filed the lawsuit on behalf of the death of her daughter, Jessica. During 2003, Jessica, 16, resided at Wyalusing Academy in Prairie Du Chien. Vaughn's lawsuit states that on the night of her death, Jessica tied sheets and blankets together in order to allow her to escape from her room located on the third story of the facility. As she attempted to climb out of her window, Jessica lost her grip and fell to her death, court records state.

Vaughn's lawsuit claims that the center's staff was aware that Jessica was likely to attempt to escape or kill herself. The lawsuit alleges that Wyalusing staff members were negligent in not taking measures to prevent Jessica from carrying out these actions.

Representatives for Wyalusing have not provided comment on the case.

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