Posted: Feb. 14, 2013 | 6:16 p.m.
A wrongful death lawsuit alleging several state and county agencies failed to protect a 7-year-old boy from beatings that proved fatal was filed Thursday on behalf of the boy’s father.
Roderick “RJ” Arrington’s physical abuse, alleged to have been inflicted by his mother and stepfather, was reported Nov. 28 by Roundy Elementary School officials to county child welfare personnel. School employees had seen “extensive scarring” on RJ’s back, according to the lawsuit in Clark County District Court.
But RJ was allowed to return to his mother and stepfather and died Nov. 30.
Attorney Matthew Callister, who represents RJ’s father, Roderick Devon Arrington Sr., said the boy’s death was preventable.
Negligence and the failure to act by the agencies responsible for determining the severity of reported child abuse led to RJ’s death, he said.
“This was a disposable child in the eyes of somebody,” Callister said. “I do not believe if this were my kid, this would have happened.”
RJ had told school employees that when he got in trouble, his mother and her boyfriend hit him on the back or butt with a TV cord, broom handle, spatula and belt, the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit names several defendants, including the state of Nevada, state Division of Child and Family Services, Clark County, Clark County Department of Family Services, Clark County Child Protective Services and the Clark County School District.
Kristi Jourdan, spokeswoman for Clark County Family Services, said her agency does not comment on pending litigation. Officials with the School District could not be reached late Thursday afternoon.
Las Vegas police said RJ was beaten by his stepfather, Markiece Palmer, 34, for lying about reading a Bible [...]