Father sues Clinton County couple over son's abuse

The father of a minor boy has filed suit against two Clinton County residents after he says one of them sexually abused his son and the other transferred money from an account before the alleged abuser could be held accountable for his actions.

The father, mentioned only as John Doe, claims defendant Brian Norbeck sexually abused his son, Richard Roe, in St. Clair County between 2004 and 2009.

Because of the abuse, Roe suffered severe emotional distress and permanent and psychological injuries, according to the complaint filed Feb. 8 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

After police charged Brian Norbeck with sexual abuse, co-defendant Deborah Norbeck tranferred $33,000 from Brian Norbeck's IRA with Fidelty and closed out his checking account, valued at $2,900 and an Edward Jones IRA worth $2,000, the complaint says. In addition, Deborah Norbeck attempted to remove Brian Norbeck from the title of their home valued at $80,000, the suit states.

"These transfers occurred after Brian Norbeck's sexual abuse to minor plaintiff occurred and after Mr. Norbeck was charged with a crime for said acts," the complaint says. "Deborah Norbeck and Brian Norbeck have attempted to disburse Brian Norbeck's assets before he can be held accountable for his actions."

John Doe alleges battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress and fraudulence against Brian Norbeck, saying he should have known Roe did not welcome the abuse.

In addition, he claims Deborah Norbeck is guilty of negligence because she failed to protect Roe from sexual abuse, failed to supervise Brian Norbeck to make sure Roe was protected from sexual abuse and failed to enforce procedures that would deter sexual misconduct while Brian Norbeck was in her home.

In the five-count suit, Doe is seeking a judgment of more than $250,000 and other relief the court deems just.

Jarrod P. Beasley and Justin A. Kuehn of The Kuehn Law Firm in Belleville will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-54.