Explanation
Background:
This Ordinance is submitted to settle the claims of Lonnie Henry (“Henry”) and K.G. (collectively, “Claimants”) in the amount of one million dollars and zero cents ($1,000,000.00). Henry is K.G’s father. Claimants allege that on October 12, 2023, Columbus Police Officers Jacob Jernigan and Colby Scott improperly removed 7-year-old K.G. from Henry’s care and gave him to his mother, Shadasia Gillyard, who did not have legal custody of him (the “Incident”). Claimants allege that Shadasia Gillyard failed to return K.G. to Henry, his custodial parent, for seven months. Claimants allege that Officers Jernigan and Scott recklessly subjected K.G. to months of danger and deprived both K.G. and Henry of their constitutional rights under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. K.G. alleges constitutional injuries, actual physical bodily injuries, as well as mental anguish and emotional distress resulting from the actual physical injuries sustained due to the actions of the Columbus Police Officers. Henry alleges constitutional injuries, as well as mental anguish and emotional distress, including, without limitation, mental anguish and emotional distress resulting from another person’s bodily injury.
Fiscal Impact:
Funds were not specifically budgeted for this settlement; however, sufficient monies are available within the Department of Finance’s Citywide Account for this purpose.
Emergency action is requested for this ordinance to be effective immediately in accordance with the terms of the settlement of this claim, which is in the best interest of the City, and to pay the agreed to sum without delay.
Title
To authorize and direct the City Attorney to settle the claims of Lonnie Henry and K.G., a minor; to authorize the expenditure of the sum of one million dollars and zero cents ($1,000,000.00) in settlement of these claims; to authorize the transfer of $1,000,000.00 within the General Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($1,000,000.00)
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