EDWARDSVILLE — The City of Alton and two police officers are being sued for allegedly failing to arrest a violent individual who later killed a Wood River woman.
Andria Heinemeier, special administrator of the estate of Katie L. Blunt, filed a complaint on Oct. 5 in Madison County Circuit Court against the City of Alton, officer Jake Simmons and an unidentified officer.
According to the complaint, Blunt's friend contacted police after Caleb Lenhardt violated an order of protection. Police responded and talked to Lenhardt, who was intoxicated, the complaint states. The police declined to arrest Lenhardt and he later ran over Blunt with his vehicle. She died as a result of her injuries.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks compensatory and punitive damages of more than $50,000. She is represented by Keith Short and Jack Daugherty of Short & Daugherty PC in Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 18-L-1330