ST. LOUIS — Parents are suing a hospital and a university, citing alleged negligence.
Nechelle Jones and Albert Smith, parents of A'leeyah Jones, deceased, filed a complaint Aug. 7 in the St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court against Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University, alleging that they intentionally interfered with the plaintiffs rights of sepulcher and burial.
According to the complaint, Nechelle Jones and Albert Smith claim they suffered emotional injuries for not knowing the ultimate disposition and final resting place of their deceased daughter, A'leeyah Jones. They have suffered mental anguish, emotional distress and other pecuniary losses. The plaintiffs hold Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to perform an autopsy, failed to have a memorial service and wrongfully failed to follow the plaintiffs explicit wishes to cremate their daughter.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment against the defendants jointly and severally for compensatory and punitive damages, costs expended for this action and all further relief the court deems just and proper. They are represented by Andrea D. McNairy and Lara L. Gillham of Brown & Croupen PC in St. Louis.
St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court case number 1722-CC10955