Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Doe, whose mother was a drug user and prostitute, was abandoned when she was a baby. The state of Washington allegedly placed her in the home of a couple whose foster care license had been revoked due to an alleged instance of sexual abuse by their adult son on a foster child. Almost immediately after her placement, Doe’s daycare allegedly reported that she had facial bruising. The state social services department allegedly conducted a perfunctory investigation and closed the case.

The following year, Doe suffered a fractured tibia, and she allegedly suffered black eyes, scratches, and bruising all over her body. A year later, police intervened, and Doe, 3, was removed from the foster home. She was covered in bite marks.

Suit against the state alleged its social services department and child protective services failed to thoroughly investigate multiple reports of abuse and failed to protect Doe.

The parties agreed to a settlement in the amount of $3.25 million.

Citation: Doe v. State, Undisclosed Dkt. No. (Undisclosed Jxn., Ct., & Date).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Ian Bauer and Michael McNeill, both of Tacoma, Wash; and AAJ member Darrell Cochran, Seattle.