Trial opens in Granite City day care suit

Jury selection lasted most of the day Monday in a trial against a Granite City day care center.

Madison County Circuit Judge David Hylla took over the courtroom usually used by his colleague, Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder, for the day as work crews took over his. Hylla swore the jury in at 3:15 p.m. and gave them opening instructions.

The trial resumes at 9 a.m. Tuesday with opening statements.

Plaintiff Sossity Laleman is suing Jan Tolhurst, owner of Carrousel Too Day Care, and employee John Welle for what she claims was the infliction of emotional distress on her son, Jordan Laleman, who attended the day care center.

According to her suit, Welle pinned Jordan Laleman to the floor by placing his foot on his neck while shouting at him.

His mother claims that Welle had a history of angry outbursts at other day care centers and that Tolhurst was negligent in failing to investigate the incidents and in hiring Welle.

She is seeking at least $50,000 in damages.

Laleman is represented by Mark Levy.

The defendants are represented by David Friess.

The trial opened at 9 a.m. Monday.

The case is Madison case number 07-L-147.