By Juliette Fairley, Aug 2, 2022

A federal judge is allowing a wrongful death lawsuit against a court-appointed guardian ad litem concerning a teen’s suicide to proceed.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Abbie Crites-Leoni denied a motion to dismiss in Cynthia Haynes v. Williams as to sexual assault and battery against defendant Charles Haynes and allegations of acting outside the scope of GAL duties against defendant Jennifer Williams and Spain, Miller, Galloway & Lee, a Poplar Bluff law firm that formerly employed Williams.

“If we can prove it and if the case survives, it will set the precedent that when a guardian ad litem violates criminal statute in performing their duties, a guardian ad litem will not be given immunity,” said Evita Tolu who is representing Cynthia Haynes. 

Link to article: https://stlrecord.com/stories/629709729-federal-magistrate-allows-wrongful-death-lawsuit-against-law-firm-court-insider-concerning-teen-s-suicide-to-proceed?fbclid=IwAR2Cn3EzkMgHSS20c84fr0dYmlYeKMwNsonPAm9Yb3hbuBd4uIKonXlKorE