TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A recent lawsuit charges a Florida home for the developmentally disabled with neglect after a resident permanently damaged his esophagus by drinking dish detergent.
A lawsuit was filed Jan. 22 against Florida Mentor II, LLC by Parker Crouse, a resident of the company's care facility. The case was filed in Leon County Circuit Court by Crouse's parents.
The suit alleges that Florida Mentor II, a Delaware limited liability corporation operating the Tallahassee Developmental Center failed to provide adequate care for Parker Crouse.
The plaintiff suffers from multiple diagnoses including intellectual disability, autism, developmental delay, and cerebral palsy. These conditions necessitate his residence in a specialized care facility, and his files indicated he was motivated by food.
The notes said he "will steal food and drink if left out."
On Dec. 5, he was supposed to be receiving 1:1 caregiver supervision but instead was left alone, the suit says. He found a bottle of pink fluid that had been left our and drank it.
It was dishwater detergent with warnings about ingestion. He began vomiting before being sent to the emergency room. Treatment included an NG tube, and he suffered permanent chemical burns to his esophagus, the suit says.
The suit alleges neglect to supervise Crouse and neglect to put the bottle away. The Crouses are represented by Scott Gwartney and Dean LeBoeuf of Brooks, LeBoeuf, Foster & Gwartney.