Lumberton church dismissed from suit alleging child fell through stair railing

A Lumberton church has been dismissed from a suit brought over injuries to a child who slipped through the railing on a stairway and fell 15 feet.

As previously reported, Crystal and Marc Reed, acting as next of friend for a minor identified as T.R., filed suit against First Baptist Church of LOEB Lumberton on March 16, 2012, in Jefferson County District Court.

Two weeks later, the couple filed a motion to dismiss on March 29, stating that they no longer wished to pursue their claim.

The following day, Judge Gary Sanderson, 6oth District Court, dismissed the church without prejudice, court papers say.

The lawsuit alleged that on May 22, 2011, a Sunday school teacher was escorting children up a flight of stairs when T.R. fell through a large opening in the railing of the stairwell, falling at least 15 feet.

T.R. fractured his skull in the fall and had to be life-flighted to Texas Children’s Hospital from Christus St. Elizabeth.

The suit alleged the church should have known about the dangerous condition and corrected the hazard.

The Reeds were suing for their loss of consortium and mental anguish, in addition to T.R.’s medical expenses, disfigurement, pain and mental anguish.

Beaumont attorney John Morgan represents them.

Case No. B192-182