TRUMBULL COUNTY Suicide victim's grandma files suit against agency

The agency's director said the boy's death was 'very tragic.'
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The grandmother of a 14-year-old boy who committed suicide while in the custody of Trumbull County Children Services has filed a lawsuit alleging the agency was negligent.
Ruby Longwell, administratrix of the estate of Kevin A. Weitershausen, filed the lawsuit in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court seeking more than $25,000 in damages.
Robert Kubiak, children services director, said the boy's death was "very tragic" but that the agency is not at fault. "We will vigorously defend the case," he added.
Boy found
The boy was found dead in the closet of his room around 1 a.m. Feb. 23, 2003, police said. He was being housed in the agency's Secure Care Unit, 2282 Reeves Road N.E., officials said. The unit is for children with emotional or behavioral problems, agency officials said.
Kevin was placed with the agency Feb. 6, 2003, the lawsuit says.
A Trumbull County Juvenile Court record attached with the lawsuit states the boy was placed in the care of the agency because there were no appropriate relatives of the child who were willing to be temporary custodians.
The grandparents, who had custody of Kevin since he was an infant, had become ill and were unable to care for the boy, according to the juvenile court record.
The court record also stated that the boy had some behavioral problems, attended Joseph Badger schools, was an A and B student, a good artist and could play the guitar.
The suit has been assigned to Judge W. Wyatt McKay. No hearing date has been scheduled.
sinkovich@vindy.com