Lawyer calls abuse claims 'poppycock'

HEATHER CHAPIN-FOWLER

"The children disagree with the allegations," said Laura Perkovic, Efaw's attorney who represented him during a criminal trial where he was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter in connection with the stabbing death of 11-year-old foster child Connre Dixon.

Documents filed recently in a civil lawsuit filed by the administrator of Dixon's estate against Efaw, the Huron County commissioners and Department of Job and Family Services, allege officials were aware of the explosive temperament of Efaw based on prior complaints filed against him.

Perkovic disputed the credibility of the complaints and said she's never known Efaw to have a temperament issues. "I have heard no evidence that would lead me to believe Mr. Efaw has a foul temper," she said.

The documents also claim Efaw was ordered to undergo mental counseling, but records weren't obtained to verify the information. Dixon's estate claims Efaw attended anger management as ordered by HCJFS after it reviewed complaints filed against him. However, the county maintains he attended counseling with his son to assist the child with his troubles dealing with the divorce, according to court documents.

Perkovic denied any knowledge of Efaw's reported counseling. "If there's no record of it, I don't know it," she said.

The county has asked Judge Judith Cross to dismiss it from the civil suit maintaining that Dixon's placement and supervision were adequate, reasonable decisions, according to court records.

Cross is expected to rule on the matter today or Monday, said Perkovic who considers the ruling to be a critical point in the proceedings which have been ongoing for more than two years.

No settlement talks have been entered into by Dixon's attorney and Perkovic, she said. "No demands have been made and no offers have been made," said Perkovic.

The matter is scheduled for a jury trial on March 20, according to court records.

If the county is dismissed from responsibility, Perkovic said she doesn't think Efaw has enough assets to warrant being sued. "I'm not sure it's worth the time to sue Mr. Efaw. He doesn't have anything," she said. "But, if need be, we'll hash it out in front of a jury."

Whether Efaw's Ridgefield Township home and property would be subject to collection as part of an award by the court is unknown, Perkovic said.

"I think an unfortunate event happened and people are trying to get rich off it," she also said.

Efaw was denied early release last year after serving a year in prison. He was sentenced in 2005 to three years in prison and remains eligible for judicial release, Perkovic said.