Indiana mother sues over son’s death in prison
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — A northern Indiana mother has filed a lawsuit against the state, the Department of Correction, the Westville Correctional Facility and some staff members, alleging they were responsible for her son’s death.
The lawsuit filed Feb. 25 in U.S. District Court in South Bend by Alice Blessing of Middlebury says personnel at the prison were either deliberately indifferent to the psychological disorders displayed by her 24-year-old son, Steven Blessing, or that unknown prison personnel killed him and made his death appear to be a suicide.
Department of Correction spokesman Doug Garrison declined to comment, referring questions to the state attorney general’s office. Attorney general’s spokesman Bryan Corbin said the office would respond to the allegations in court at the appropriate time.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, alleging wrongful death, gross negligence, bad faith and wanton and willful and malicious misconduct. The lawsuit says Blessing had a documented history of mental illness that included depression.
Blessing was found hanged in his cell at the Westville Correctional Facility on Feb. 26, 2012. He was serving a 10-year sentence after pleading guilty to aggravated battery. The lawsuit says Blessing was originally held at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City and was transferred after providing prison officials information about other inmates who then allegedly threatened him.
Marriage group seeks investigation of money offer
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A national group opposing gay marriage wants Indiana’s attorney general to investigate whether a former Republican Party chairman offered “unlimited” campaign funds to House Speaker Brian Bosma in the heat of this year’s gay marriage debate.
National Organization for Marriage Chairman John Eastman made the request Tuesday in a letter sent to Attorney General Greg Zoeller.
The Associated Press reported Sunday that former Republican Party Chairman Jim Kittle offered campaign donations to Bosma to protect House Republicans who voted against the marriage ban.
Bosma disclosed the offer in January and initially said he was concerned it might violate state and federal law. He said last week that he did not think any crime was committed.
Kittle later withdrew the offer.
Toddler dies in fire at SW Indiana day care center
SULLIVAN, Ind. (AP) — Authorities say a predawn fire at a southwestern Indiana day care center has killed a toddler.
Sullivan Police Officer Mike Gorgas told the Sullivan Daily Times that a girl, who was 1 and a half, died in the fire Tuesday at Waterman’s Wonderland Daycare. The child’s name was not immediately released.
Sullivan Fire Chief Rob Robertson told the Terre Haute Tribune-Star that the body was recovered in a playpen.
Authorities said several other children ranging in ages from 1 to 10 and an adult were able to escape.
The survivors told Gorgas they smelled smoke about 5:45 a.m. “and the next thing they knew, there were flames.”
It’s the second fatal fire in Sullivan in five days: A 72-year-old man died in an apartment tower fire Thursday.
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