A developmentally disabled adult and his mother are suing his residential facility over alleged incidents of sexual abuse and reckless supervision.
Donna Biffar, mother and guardian of Michael Lawrence Stroh, filed a lawsuit individually and on her son’s behalf on July 9 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Trinity Services, Inc. of Belleville on allegations of negligence in the suspected sexual abuse of her son.
According to the complaint, Stroh lives at the facility located at 2659 Overlook Drive in Belleville. The suit states that another resident named “Eddie” sodomized him on numerous occasions and that the defendant’s response was “half-hearted,” including recommendations that the man keep his door open.
Stating that Trinity displayed indifference and disregard for her son’s emotional and physical well-being, Biffar contends that Stroh suffered mental anguish, physical pain, humiliation and medical bills for counseling to cope with the trauma. She asserts that the defendant should have known about the non-consensual activity based on her son’s behavior.
The plaintiffs seek judgment in their favor for more than $50,000 plus exemplary or punitive damages, attorneys’ fees and costs. They are represented by Peter Maag of the Maag Law Firm in Wood River.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-392