Philadelphia FIGHT is being sued in federal court for wrongful death and medical malpractice. The local HIV/AIDS agency allegedly failed to report a foster mother who was mistreating her foster child during the same time period she was bringing the child to FIGHT for routine wellness visits.
Hope Jones, the victim, was born on May 28, 2019, and died on July 12, 2022. Her foster mother, Kiana Casey, 32, is serving time in state prison for beating the child to death. She will be eligible for parole in July 2030, according to court records.
Philadelphia FIGHT and five of its workers — two doctors and three registered nurses — stand accused of contributing to the child’s death by not reporting suspected child abuse, according to a 65-page federal lawsuit.
The lawsuit initially was filed in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court by attorneys representing the estate of the child. But on Feb. 12, the lawsuit was transferred to federal court, because FIGHT receives federal funding.
Jones became a patient of FIGHT in June 2019, when she was a week old and examined by a FIGHT physician. Thereafter, she was seen by FIGHT for regular wellness visits, according to the lawsuit.
Jones did well as a toddler until she was placed with her foster mother, Kiana Casey in November 2020, according to the lawsuit.
After being placed with Casey, Jones’ condition deteriorated. Her weight dropped, two front teeth appeared to be knocked out, and she reportedly tried to eat her own feces. The child also periodically vomited, according to the lawsuit.
FIGHT staffers allegedly failed to notice and report Jones’ “drastic weight loss, caloric deprivation, starvation and neglect,” the lawsuit states.
FIGHT staffers should have recognized that Jones’ attempts to eat her own feces was an indication that she was being starved at home and would try to eat anything she could, according to the lawsuit.
Jones’ malnutrition became so severe that it stunted her growth. But FIGHT staffers didn’t inquire about possible child abuse nor report any concerns to authorities, as required by law, according to the lawsuit.
On July 12, 2022, Jones was rushed to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. The medical examiner ruled the cause of her death was multiple blunt impact injuries to her head and neck, torso and extremities, according to the lawsuit.
The FIGHT defendants allegedly failed to take adequate measures to ensure the safety of Jones, according to the lawsuit.
FIGHT and its workers stand accused of negligent and reckless conduct. The FIGHT workers’ conduct fell outside acceptable professional standards.
Moreover, FIGHT allegedly violated Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law by failing to make an oral or written report of suspected child abuse to the state Department of Human Services, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount in damages. Funds awarded to Jones’ estate would go to her father, Gino Laws, and her two minor siblings, according to the lawsuit.
The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Savage. Neither side had a comment for this story.