DETROIT (AP) -- The state of Michigan has agreed to pay $115,000 to settle a lawsuit over the death of a 9-year-old boy who was in a Detroit foster home.
Attorney Ernie Essad says the settlement is in addition to a $475,000 deal reached with Wayne County, medical providers and the foster home.
Johnny Dragomir was severely handicapped and had epilepsy and cerebral palsy. He was placed in a foster home in 2006 when his mother was unable to care for him. The medical examiner says the boy likely died from malnutrition in 2007, although he was diagnosed with pneumonia three days earlier.
The state has denied that its child-welfare workers were negligent in keeping an eye on Johnny. With the settlement, the lawsuit in federal court was closed this week.
Published: Thu, Feb 3, 2011
