EDWARDSVILLE - A speech pathologist claims she was assaulted by a female minor with a history of violence at the Alton Catholic Children’s Home.
Robin Murphy filed the lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Springfield.
According to the lawsuit, Murphy, a speech pathologist contracted to work at the Alton Children’s Home, was allegedly assaulted by a female minor at the facility. The facility is operated by the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Springfield.
The minor was a day student at the facility and had a history of disciplinary issues. The suit states that many employees at the facility were trained in how to deal with students with behavioral issues.
The lawsuit claims Murphy was assaulted on Dec. 3, 2021, by the minor when Murphy stepped in to help a teacher who had made a request for emergency aid. Murphy claims that when she was contracted to provide speech pathology instruction, she was directed to provide aid to any teacher involved in a situation with a student.
Murphy alleges the defendant failed to develop and enforce appropriate rules and regulations to ensure the safety of the staff, failed to maintain control over its students, and failed to address behavioral issues of the minor involved in the assault.
Murphy also maintains that the school should have known that the behavioral issues of the minor involved in the assault were more serious than its staff was equipped to deal with and that the facility kept the minor enrolled while knowing about her violent history.
Murphy allegedly suffered fractures to her pelvic region. She claims she has endured a protected period of recovery and has missed work and lost wages as a result. She alleges that she will likely require medical attention for the rest of her life as a result of the injuries, which could impact her ability to earn a living.
Murphy seeks a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus court costs. She is represented by Darr Law Offices, Ltd. of Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 22-LA-449