Family Awarded $12 Million in Case Involving the Death of a 4-Year-Old Boy in Cleveland, Ohio

A Cuyahoga County jury reached a verdict in the civil trial against Catholic Charities and other defendants Tuesday in a case stemming from the 2017 death of Jordan Rodriguez, a 4-year-old who was tragically found buried in his mother’s backyard in Cleveland.

The eight-member jury sided with the plaintiff in the case, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordan’s aunt and the administrator for his estate. She was awarded $12 million. Richard Blake, an attorney for Catholic Charities, told 3News that next Tuesday jurors will return to discuss the possibilities of punitive damages.

Defendants named in the complaint include Catholic Charities, a former case worker who was required to visit the Rodriguez home, Jordan’s mom Larissa, and her boyfriend Christopher Rodriguez. Jurors also found the Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services and MetroHealth Medical Center employees or contractors liable, though they were not named in the lawsuit.

Read the source article at WKYC