HOUSTON — A woman alleges her daughter died from choking while at a care facility for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Mildred Ann Jude, as surviving parent of Jennifer Ann Jude, filed a complaint Dec. 12 in Harris County District Court against Lauren McKenna HCS, LLC, Lauren McKenna and Kayla Vaughn alleging negligence and wrongful death.
According to Jude's complaint, her daughter Jennifer Jude, was placed under the care of the defendants due to her intellectual and developmental disabilities. She claims that on Jan. 28, 2021, her daughter began choking on a sandwich and that due to the defendants' lack of appropriate care and rescue measures, she suffered a prolonged lack of oxygen and "severe anoxic brain damage" which led to her death on Feb. 3, 2021.
Jude alleges the defendants' negligence for failing to have adequate and properly trained staff including having an RN on duty. She also alleges the defendants failed to recognize and adequately respond to her daughter's choking incident and did not have the proper equipment to protect her daughter from life-threatening injuries. Jude also alleges the defendants were negligent for failing to ensure compliance and that the facility negligently hired staff and contractors.
Jude seeks monetary relief of more than $1 million, interest and all other just relief. She is represented by Joshua Estes of The Estes Law Firm PC in Richmond, Virginia.
Harris County District Court case number 2022-80259