Student sues Dad for costs of college in St. Clair Co.

A 22-year-old Missouri woman is suing her father for costs of attending college she claims he promised her.

Brenda Wilson filed the suit Feb. 9 in St. Clair County Circuit Court seeking in excess of $50,000 from Michael Wilson of St. Clair County.

In the suit, Brenda claims her father, who divorced her mother when she was 3 years old, "unambiguously stated he would provide plaintiff with all necessary costs and expenses for her to attend college."

Her total costs, including tuition, fees, room and board, costs of health insurance and medical costs, exceed $75,000, the suit says.

She claims, however, that her father has made limited financial contributions towards those costs amounting to $4,000, "more or less."

She attended Southwestern Illinois College from August 2010 until December 2012 when she graduated, the suit says. She then attended Goldfarb School of Nursing from May 2013 until present, she claims.

Brenda claims her father's promise came during a phone conversation in April 2010, at a time when she was living in Kankakee.

She claims he offered to pay for college if she moved to and attended college in the St. Clair County area.

"In the absence of the promises Defendant made to pay the necessary costs and expenses for her to attend college in the St. Clair County area, Plaintiff would not have incurred the time, cost and effort to relocate to St. Clair County and to attend college in the area," the suit says.

Brenda is represented by Brian McCarthy of Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-62.