Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Over Foster Care Case

SCOTT COUNTY — A Scott County woman has filed a wrongful death lawsuit accusing a Springfield-based nonprofit organization and her daughter’s foster mother of negligence in the death of her 8-year-old daughter.

Amanda Sleek of Winchester filed the lawsuit against Rutledge Youth Foundation and Mallori Reardon of Murrayville in connection with the death of her daughter, Emma, who died July 10, 2023. The lawsuit alleges negligence by both defendants while Emma was in foster care.

According to the complaint, Sleek’s two children were taken into protective custody by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in August 2020 and placed in Reardon’s care. DCFS had contracted with Rutledge Youth Foundation to handle the foster placement. Sleek alleges the foundation failed to properly evaluate Reardon’s qualifications as a foster parent and placed the children with her largely because she was a family relative.

The lawsuit further claims Rutledge Youth Foundation failed to ensure required caseworker visits occurred and did not seek alternative foster placement for Emma. Sleek also alleges Reardon ignored repeated complaints from Emma about headaches and failed to seek medical treatment. The suit claims Rutledge Youth Foundation’s assigned caseworker was aware of Emma’s medical complaints but did not take action.

The lawsuit states Emma experienced a headache on the day she died.

Rutledge Youth Foundation has denied most of the allegations. The nonprofit acknowledged it contracted with DCFS in 2018 and placed Emma with Reardon in July 2021 but denied failing to properly vet Reardon, failing to make required visits, or ignoring medical concerns. The foundation also denied claims that Emma repeatedly complained of headaches.

Reardon has also denied the allegations, stating Emma did not complain of headaches until July 9, 2023, and that she treated the complaint with over-the-counter medication. Reardon denied claims that she failed to call 911 on the day of Emma’s death. She acknowledged in court filings that she previously used cannabis prior to its legalization and methamphetamine with Sleek but said that information had not been disclosed to Rutledge Youth Foundation.

Sleek is seeking at least $50,000 in damages. The allegations outlined in the lawsuit represent claims by the plaintiff, and the case remains pending in court.