Posted on 04/12/2006 8:51:22 AM PDT by presidio9
The grandmother of child abuse victim Nixzmary Brown is seeking $150 million from the city, claiming officials should have prevented the 7-year-old Brooklyn girl's brutal slaying, the Daily News has learned. Maria Gonzalez is the third person to file a notice of claim - the child's biological father and the father of a sibling also plan to sue - but is the only one to specify monetary damages.
In papers filed with Controller William Thompson's office yesterday, Gonzalez accused the city of "carelessness, recklessness, gross negligence, wanton disregard and willful misconduct" leading to Nixzmary's death.
Nixzmary was allegedly starved, tortured and ultimately murdered on Jan. 11 at the hands of her stepfather, Cesar Rodriguez, while her mother, Nixzaliz Santiago, did nothing to help. Both have been charged with second-degree murder.
The case exposed serious flaws in the city's child welfare agency, prompting Mayor Bloomberg to launch aggressive reforms at the Administration for Children's Services.
Gonzalez contends the city failed to protect Nixzmary "despite being informed multiple times of the threats of physical, mental and emotional abuse being waged" on her.
Her attorney, William Schwitzer, said she filed suit "in the hopes that history doesn't repeat itself and that hopefully something good will come out of the unfortunate loss of this child."
He declined to discuss the damages being sought but said Gonzalez is hoping a law will eventually be passed in Nixzmary's name "so her life will mean something."
Kate O'Brien Ahlers, a spokeswoman for the city's Law Department, confirmed receipt of the notice.
"It obviously involves a very tragic circumstance, and we will evaluate the matter thoroughly," she said.
............only in newyaawk....
Some people just make me sick.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.