FAIRFIELD, Ohio (WCMH) – The father behind “Lauren’s Law” has filed a federal lawsuit against an Ohio disability care facility, claiming his daughter faced retaliation after he went to the news about her mistreatment.
A lawsuit filed in January in U.S. District Court claims Takoda Trails, a state-licensed facility for the developmentally disabled in Fairfield, evicted Lauren Carter shortly after her father Greg Carter did an interview with a local television station.
Lauren is a 37-year-old woman who requires 24/7 care due to her profound disabilities, including cerebral palsy and partial blindness. The filing lists Takoda Trials and its parent company Empowering People, Inc. as defendants, as well as other affiliated entities.
“This lawsuit isn’t just about what happened to Lauren Carter – it is about making sure that no other family is afraid to speak out,” said Michela Huth, an attorney for the Carters. “It is about holding those in power accountable so that parents, disabled people, guardians and advocates can fight for change without fear of retribution.”
In January 2023, Greg completed a TV interview with a Cincinnati news station outside of Takoda Trails regarding a November 2022 civil lawsuit filed in state court. The first lawsuit, which remains ongoing, is also against Empowering People, Inc. and its affiliated entities. It seeks damages for alleged abuse Lauren faced under the defendants' care, including her throat being slit resulting in a 4×1 1/2-inch cut that required 12 sutures to close. No one was ever arrested.
During that interview, personnel from the facility came outside and told Greg and the reporter they could not be on their property, according to the filing. The interview took place from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and that same day at 2:44 p.m., Greg received an email notifying him that his daughter would be evicted in 30 days, the lawsuit claims.
The eviction notice read in part, “Due to your actions as Lauren’s legal guardian the home can no longer meet the needs of Lauren without imposing an undue hardship on the home. Takoda Trails has attempted to communicate with you and continues to serve Lauren after numerous attacks and unfounded accusations.”
Citing DEI concerns, Ohio University places Black Alumni Reunion ‘on hold’The Carters’ attorneys claim that Takoda Trails violated Lauren’s First Amendment rights by retaliating against her after her father filed the lawsuit then spoke to the media and also violated her 14th Amendment rights by not giving him a proper way to appeal the eviction.
Takoda Trails did not respond to a request for comment.
The lawsuit says the facility never specified what Greg had done to warrant his daughter’s services being terminated, therefore making him unable to appeal the conviction. It additionally claims the stages of the appeal process were not laid out in the discharge notice.
“We hope this lawsuit serves as a warning to those who provide government-funded services to developmentally disabled individuals and their families,” said Richard Resenthal, another attorney for the Carters. “It should send a clear message: violating the rights of vulnerable individuals will have consequences.”
While Greg Carter could not discuss the ongoing lawsuit, he previously told NBC4 he never wanted his daughter in a facility in the first place and fought “tooth and nail” to keep her home. The lawsuit states the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities has refused to pay for the costs associated with Lauren being cared for by her father at home, which has resulted in her living at three care facilities and two group homes over the past 30 years. She has faced injuries and health complications at multiple different facilities.
Anti-cancer advocates push for Ohio cigarette taxThe eviction caused “tremendous consequences” for the Carter family, the lawsuit says. Faced with a lack of viable options for a care facility near Greg’s residence, Lauren was brought back to the family home.
The state Department of Developmental Disabilities declined to pay Greg and his wife to care for Lauren. The couple was also not able to work while she was home adding to their financial strain, the lawsuit alleges. Since Lauren requires 24/7 care, the filing says Greg and his wife could not maintain a sleep schedule and rarely got more than three to four hours of sleep daily.
Lauren’s experiences at Takoda Trails and other facilities inspired Greg to champion Lauren’s Law last year, a bill that would have forced facilities for the developmentally disabled to allow cameras in residents’ rooms at their request or the request of their guardian or attorney, among other things.
During a committee meeting for the bill, Greg testified about the 16 documented Major Unusual Incidents that Lauren has faced throughout her 30 years at Ohio care facilities. MUIs are defined as reported incidents adversely affecting the health and safety of individuals with developmental disabilities.
Legislators ended up amending Lauren’s Law, allowing facilities to determine whether they permit electronic monitoring. Greg Carter spoke out against the amended bill, which ultimately did not pass during the legislative session.
Lauren Carter now lives in a group home which has allowed her father to place a camera in her room.
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