Foster kid's estate sues county

HEATHER CHAPIN-FOWLER

"I'm grateful for the ruling," said Attorney James Martin, of Willard, who is representing the Dixon's estate.

Dixon was fatally stabbed during an altercation with Efaw who is serving a three-year prison term for voluntary manslaughter.

The stabbing occurred at Efaw's Ridgefield Township home about one year after the Huron County Job and Family Services placed Dixon in the home, according to court records.

An attorney for Huron County Job and Family Services, Huron County Commissioner Mike Adelman and former Commissioners Ardeth Chupp and Terry Boose, who are the defendant, had no comment yesterday.

Visiting Judge Judith Cross denied the county's request to be dismissed from the lawsuit, in which Efaw is also a defendant.

"We'll just all have to prepare accordingly," said Laura Perkovic, who represents Efaw.

The "court finds there remains sufficient questions of fact for this claim to go to a jury. Further, because Connre was in the custody of the state (Huron County Job and Family Services), the department had responsibility for her safety. Because of this, the court finds that the standard to use to determine the liability of the department is one of Ôprofessional judgment,"' stated Cross' ruling.

Cross also ruled John Courtney, an expert witness called by Martin, will not be allowed to testify. Martin refused comment about Courtney yesterday.

The trial is scheduled to begin March 20 and is expected to last throughout the week, said Martin.

Martin is submitting to the court today a witness list that includes 19 people and a list of more than 500 exhibits, he said.

Erich Dumbeck, director of Huron County Job and Family Services and two Huron County Job and Family Servicesemployees, Susan Komosinski and Suzie Sidell, are included on the witness list, Martin said.

The estate is seeking more than $25,000 and if the jury rules in the estate's favor, the Huron County Probate Court will decide who of her next of kin will receive the proceeds, said Martin.

Dixon's two brothers, ages three and nine, are in the custody of her aunt who lives in Huron County. Since Dixon's death in 2004, her mother, Zandra Dixon, died and her father, Ronald Dixon, moved out of state, said Martin.

Dixon also has an 18-year-old half-brother who also remains in the area, Martin said.