GROVETOWN, GEORGIA: Kasey Brooks has reportedly sued a church and a church daycare worker day in connection with a incident two years ago, in which she attacked the worker, believing she was abusing her son.
The entire incident from 2021 was caught on camera and the video went viral.
Brooks is the plaintiff in the lawsuit, which names several defendants including the daycare worker, June Barrow, St Teresa of Avila Catholic Church and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Savannah.
Brooks' son, who was two at the time of the incident, is also listed as a plaintiff.
When did Kasey Brooks assault June Barrow?
The confrontation and assault occurred on September 1, 2021, after Brooks viewed videos that she believed showed Barrow abusing her son.
At the time of the incident, the boy had significant speech and developmental delays and was presumed to be autistic.
According to the lawsuit, Brooks had initially discussed her son's condition with a teacher named Sarah before enrolling him in the ‘Mother's Day Out’ program at the church.
She was assured that the program was suitable for her son.
What were Kasey Brooks’ charges against the church?
The lawsuit alleged that the teachers and supervisor failed to communicate that certain aspects of the boy's behavior, such as repeated leg movements, may be considered grounds for punishment.
Furthermore, they did not seek authorization from Brooks to administer any form of punishment.
However, the lawsuit mentioned that Barrow and Brooks did later discuss the possibility of using "time out" as an appropriate disciplinary measure if necessary.
On August 16, 2021, Barrow called Brooks and asked her to pick up her son early because he had injured his leg while "wrestling" with another child, the lawsuit stated.
However, the boy was reportedly unable to explain to Brooks how he had actually sustained the injury.
What sparked Kasey Brooks’ attack on June Barrow?
On August 31, according to the lawsuit, "Mother spoke with Barrow upon arriving at the Church to pick up Minor."
The lawsuit added, "During their conversation, Barrow appeared to be angry claiming that Minor ‘kicked’ her and Barrow told Mother that she does not put up with that type of behavior.”
The lawsuit further stated that Brooks "became very uncomfortable" with Barrow's description of her interaction with the boy.
Consequently, she requested to view video recordings of the classroom for that particular day.
The lawsuit stated, "Concerned over Mother’s request to view the recordings, Barrow immediately told Durrwachter [the preschool director] that she ‘resigned.’”
The lawsuit further contended that Barrow continued to work for the program despite her stated resignation.
Was the evidence tampered with in Kasey Brooks’ case?
As per WAGT’s reports, the evidence may have been tampered with.
The lawsuit asserted that the church only permitted Brooks to view the recording for August 31 and alleged that she believed the church had destroyed recordings from prior days when her son attended the program.
Additionally, the lawsuit alleged that the recordings for August 31 had been tampered with, "including, but not limited to, cutting time from them."
The lawsuit alleged that Barrow "willfully, intentionally, and repeatedly" subjected the boy to battery through the actions detailed in the case, and it asserted that both the church and Barrow were negligent.
What damages have Kasey Brooks claimed?
In addition to seeking a jury trial, the lawsuit requests compensatory and punitive damages, the reimbursement of tuition fees, attorneys' fees and expenses, along with any other fees owed for the preschool program.
It is worth noting that a judge had previously chosen not to press charges against Barrow in relation to the abuse allegations made by Brooks in 2021. However, this civil lawsuit seeks redressal through a different legal avenue.
