D.O. v. Ozark Horizon State School

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE

WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI

SOUTHERN DIVISION

D.O., by and through S.O. and B.O., )

)

Plaintiff, )

)

vs. ) Case No. 22-03265-CV-W-WBG

)

OZARK HORIZON STATE SCHOOL, )

et al., )

)

Defendants. )

ORDER AND OPINION

Pending are Defendant Sheryl Youngblood’s Motion to Dismiss First Amended Petition

(Doc. 66); Defendants Barbara E. Baker, Vernetta M. Burgess, Karen K. Gore, Teresia Elaine

Huddleston, Cheryl L. O’Farrell-Silva, and Barbara Kay Stark’s Motion to Dismiss (Doc. 70);

Defendants Missouri State Board of Education, Missouri Department of Elementary and

Secondary Education, and Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled’s Motion to Dismiss (Doc.

73); and Defendant Ozark Horizon State School’s Motion to Dismiss (Doc. 75). As more fully

explained below, the motions to dismiss filed by Youngblood, Baker, Burgess, Gore, Huddleston,

O’Farrell-Silva, and Stark (Docs. 66, 70) are GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART; and

the remaining motions to dismiss (Docs. 73, 75) are DENIED.

I. BACKGROUND1

In March 2022, D.O., a severely developmentally disabled and non-verbal child, was a

student at Ozark Horizon State School (“OHSS”). Doc. 60 at 1, 4.2 OHSS is a Missouri public

1 Plaintiffs’ First Amended Petition (Doc. 60) provides the information in this section. At this stage, Plaintiffs’

allegations must be accepted as true and viewed in the light most favorable to them. See infra, section II(B)(1).

2 The Court cites the pagination ECF automatically applies to filings, which may differ from the parties’ pagination.

day school for the severely disabled, and as such, is under the control of the Missouri State Board

of Education (“MSBE”), the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

(“MDESE”), and the Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled (“MSSD”). Id. at 1, 3-4.

D.O., by and through his parents and Next Friends, S.O. and B.O.,3 bring this lawsuit,

which arises from D.O.’s treatment at OHSS. Id. at 7-26. They allege OHSS employees Karen

K. Gore, Barbara Kay Stark, Teresia Elaine Huddleston, and Cheryl L. O’Farrell-Silva committed

various acts of physical assault against D.O., which included pinning D.O.’s head, neck, and chest

against a desk; repeatedly hitting his face with a pillow; shoving, striking, and kicking him; pulling

his hair; jerking him backwards by his shirt; and yelling at him. Id. at 1-4, 7-8, 10. Plaintiffs claim

OHSS employees Vernetta M. Burgess, Barbara E. Baker, and Sheryl Youngblood “observed

and/or had personal knowledge of the physical assaults/abuse endured by” D.O. but did not stop,

remedy, or report the abuse to the appropriate authorities. Id. at 1-4, 8-10. D.O.’s parents maintain

they were not informed of the assault and abuse until OHSS directed them to pick up D.O. Id. at

9. At that time, OHSS’s employees, “in an effort to cover up the factual assaults,” told them D.O.

“‘destroyed’ the classroom and needed to be removed from the school,” and “in-home educational

services” would cease for school employees’ safety. Id.

Plaintiffs also contend OHSS, MSBE, MDESE, and MSSD failed to protect D.O. from the

assaults. Id. at 17. They aver OHSS, MSBE, MDESE, and MSSD knew about the initial assaults

but “acted with deliberate indifference” by failing to, inter alia, “establish and implement effective

policies, procedures and training to properly prevent, investigate and address assaults and

harassment of students”; “follow . . . procedures . . . to properly prevent, investigate and address

assaults and harassment of students”; “promptly and appropriately respond to [D.O.]’s initial

3 In May 2023, the Court appointed S.O. and B.O. as D.O.’s Next Friends. Doc. 82.

assault”; “properly report, investigate and address the initial assaults against [D.O.] thereby

allowing additional and worsening assaults to occur”; “impartially investigate the initial

assaults . . . and further falsifying their reports”; “appropriate[ly] and immediately take remedial

actions regarding the assaults against [D.O.] thereby allowing the school staff to remain in their

positions and allowing further ongoing assaults against [D.O.]”; and “protect the education of”

D.O. Id. at 17-21.

In their First Amended Petition,4 Plaintiffs assert claims of negligence (Count I), assault

and battery (Count V), intentional infliction of emotional distress (Count VI), and fraud (Count

VII) against Gore, Stark, Huddleston, O’Farrell-Silva, Burgess, Baker, and Youngblood

(“Individual Defendants”). Id. at 13-14, 21-24. They also allege a claim of negligent supervision

(Count II) against Youngblood and negligent infliction of emotional distress (Count VIII)5 against

Burgess, Baker, and Youngblood. Id. at 14-16, 24-26. Further, Plaintiffs aver OHSS, MSBE,

MDESE, and MSSD violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and the Americans

with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (“ADAAA”) (Count III) as well as the Rehabilitation Act

of 1973 (Count IV). Id. at 17-21.

In April and May 2023, Defendants filed the pending four motions to dismiss. Docs. 66,

70, 73, 75. All Defendants move to dismiss this matter, arguing Plaintiffs fail to state a claim upon

which relief may be granted. See Docs. 66-67, 70-71, 73-76. In addition, Youngblood, Burgess,

and Baker argue certain claims against them should be dismissed because they are entitled to

4 On September 8, 2022, Plaintiffs filed a Petition in the Circuit Court of Howell County, Missouri. Doc. 1-1 at 1-31.

On October 12, 2022, the matter was removed to this Court. Doc. 1. In response to Plaintiffs’ Petition, Defendants

filed motions to dismiss. See Docs. 25, 27, 35. In April 2023, Plaintiffs sought and were granted leave to file their

First Amended Petition. Docs. 58-59. Although the Court construes Plaintiffs’ filing (Doc. 60) as an amended

complaint, it refers to the filing as it is titled, First Amended Petition. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 7(a)(1)

5 Plaintiffs’ First Amended Petition includes two claims identified as “Count VII.” See Doc. 60 at 23-24. To avoid

confusion, the Court refers to the second Count VII (negligent infliction of emotional distress/tort of outrage) as Count

VIII throughout this Order.

official immunity. See Docs. 66-67, 70-71. And the Individual Defendants move to dismiss all

claims against them based on sovereign immunity. See Docs. 66-67, 70-71.

In May 2023, Plaintiffs filed their opposition to Defendants’ motions. See Docs. 83-86. In

June 2023, the Individual Defendants filed replies in further support of their motions to dismiss.

See Docs. 87-88. OHSS, MSBE, MDESE, and MSSD did not file replies, and the time for doing

so has passed. L.R. 7.0(c)(3). The motions are now fully briefed. The Court first addresses the

Individual Defendants’ sovereign immunity argument and then turns to Defendants’ arguments

that Plaintiffs failed to state claims upon which relief may be granted.6

II. DISCUSSION7

A. Sovereign Immunity8

The Individual Defendants move to dismiss all claims against them in their official

capacities because sovereign immunity bars said claims. See Docs. 66-67, 70-71. “[S]overeign

immunity protects governmental entities from tort liability and can be invoked when a

governmental official is sued only in his or her official capacity.” State ex rel. Alsup v. Kanatzar,

588 S.W.3d 187, 190 (Mo. banc 2019); see also Mo. Rev. Stat. § 537.600.1. If not waived,

sovereign immunity bars suits against government employees in their official capacities because

6 Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c), the parties consented to the undersigned’s jurisdiction. Doc. 41.

7 The parties generally cite Missouri law when discussing immunity or state law claims, and no party maintains another

jurisdiction’s laws apply. See Docs. 66-67, 70-71, 83-1, 84-2. Thus, the Court applies Missouri law when addressing

sovereign immunity, official immunity, and the substance of Plaintiffs’ state law claims.

8 Sovereign immunity is a jurisdictional, threshold matter properly addressed under Rule 12(b)(1) of the Federal Rules

of Civil Procedure. Hagen v. Sisseton-Wahpeton Cmty. Coll., 205 F.3d 1040, 1043 (8th Cir. 2000) (citation omitted).

When deciding a motion brought pursuant to Rule 12(b)(1), the court must distinguish between a “facial attack” and

a “factual attack.” Carlsen v. GameStop, Inc., 833 F.3d 903, 908 (8th Cir. 2016) (citation omitted). With a facial

attack, “the court restricts itself to the face of the pleadings, and the non-moving party receives the same protections

as it would defending against a motion brought under Rule 12(b)(6).” Id. With a factual attack, “the court considers

matters outside the pleadings, and the non-moving party does not have the benefit of 12(b)(6) safeguards.” Id. Here,

the Court need not determine whether the motions to dismiss present a facial or factual attack because Plaintiffs

concede they are not bringing claims against the Individual Defendants in their official capacities. See Doc. 83 at 1;

Doc. 83-1 at 2; Doc. 84 at 1; Doc. 84-1 at 2.

“such suits are essentially direct claims against the state.” State ex rel. Cravens v. Nixon, 234

S.W.3d 442, 449 (Mo. Ct. App. 2007) (citation omitted).

In the First Amended Petition, Plaintiffs do not indicate the capacity in which they bring

claims against the Individual Defendants. See Doc. 60. In response to the pending motions,

however, Plaintiffs represent they are not asserting claims against the Individual Defendants in

their official capacities. Doc. 83 at 1; Doc. 83-1 at 2; Doc. 84 at 1; Doc. 84-1 at 2. Because

Plaintiffs’ claims are not brought against the Individual Defendants in their official capacities,

sovereign immunity is inapplicable. Thus, the Individual Defendants’ motions to dismiss all

claims against them in their official capacities on the basis of sovereign immunity are DENIED

AS MOOT.

B. Failure to State a Claim

(1) Applicable Legal Standard

All Defendants argue this matter must be dismissed because Plaintiffs fail to state a claim

upon which relief may be granted. Docs. 66-67, 70-71, 73-76. To state a claim for relief, a

pleading must contain “a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled

to relief.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 8(a)(2). Although the Rule 8 pleading standard does not require “detailed

factual allegations,” it requires “more than an unadorned, the defendant-unlawfully-harmed-me

accusation.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678 (2009) (citing Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550

U.S. 544, 555 (2007)). “The essential function of a complaint . . . is to give the opposing party

fair notice of the nature and basis or grounds for a claim, and a general indication of the type of

litigation involved.” Topchian v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 760 F.3d 843, 848 (8th Cir. 2014)

(quotations and citation omitted). But if the pleading merely contains “labels and conclusions,”

“formulaic recitation of the elements” of a claim, or “naked assertion[s]” lacking “further factual

enhancement,” the pleading standard is not satisfied. Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (citation omitted).

To survive a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, the “complaint must contain

sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’”

Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (quoting Twombly, 550 U.S. at 570). “The plausibility standard requires a

plaintiff to show at the pleading stage that success on the merits is more than a ‘sheer possibility.’”

Knowles v. TD Ameritrade Holding Corp., 2 F.4th 751, 757 (8th Cir. 2021) (quoting Braden v.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 588 F.3d 585, 594 (8th Cir. 2009)). “[A] well-pleaded complaint may

proceed even if it strikes a savvy judge that actual proof of the facts alleged is improbable, and

‘that a recovery is very remote and unlikely.’” Id. at 757 (quoting Braden, 588 F.3d at 594).

In deciding a motion to dismiss, the Court considers several tenets. First, this Court must

accept all factual allegations made in the complaint as true. Braden, 588 F.3d at 594. Second,

“the complaint should be read as a whole, not parsed piece by piece to determine whether each

allegation, in isolation, is plausible.” Id. Third, the Court must construe all inferences in the light

most favorable to the non-moving party. Id. at 595 (“Twombly and Iqbal did not change this

fundamental tenet of Rule 12(b)(6) practice.”). Fourth, direct evidence is not required, and factual

allegations may be circumstantial. McDonough v. Anoka Cnty., 799 F.3d 931, 945 (8th Cir. 2015).

Finally, evaluating a complaint is context specific, and the Court must “draw on its judicial

experience and common sense” when considering a motion to dismiss. Braden, 588 F.3d at 594

(quoting Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 679).

(2) Official Immunity

Youngblood, Burgess, and Baker argue Plaintiffs fail to adequately plead facts

demonstrating certain claims against them are not barred by official immunity. Doc. 67 at 4-6;

Doc. 71 at 4-7. Specifically, Youngblood moves to dismiss Plaintiffs’ claims of negligence (Count

I), negligent supervision (Count II), and negligent infliction of emotional distress (Count VIII).9

Doc. 67 at 4-6. Burgess and Baker move to dismiss all claims brought against them (Counts I, V,

VI, VII, and VIII). Doc. 71 at 4-7.10

Generally, official immunity “protects public officials sued in their individual capacities

from liability for alleged acts of negligence committed during the course of their official duties for

the performance of discretionary acts.” State ex rel. Barron v. Beger, 655 S.W.3d 356, 360 (Mo.

banc 2022) (quoting Alsup, 588 S.W.3d at 190) (emphasis added). Youngblood, Burgess, and

Baker argue Plaintiffs’ claims, as alleged in the First Amended Petition, are barred by official

immunity. See Docs. 67, 71. Stated differently, they contend Plaintiffs insufficiently assert facts

establishing their alleged claims are not barred by official immunity. See id.

In their motions, Youngblood, Burgess, and Baker do not argue Plaintiffs fail to sufficiently

plead the capacities in which Defendants are sued. See id. Indeed, the motions seem to

acknowledge Plaintiffs alleged claims against Youngblood, Burgess, and Baker in their individual

capacities. See Doc. 67 at 4-6; Doc. 71 at 2, 4-6. Nonetheless, in their reply, Burgess and Baker

argue, for the first time, Plaintiffs insufficiently plead the capacities in which they are sued. Doc.

88 at 2-3.11 Their reply also suggests the only claims remaining against Burgess and Baker are

9 Related to official immunity, Youngblood moves to dismiss Plaintiffs’ negligent infliction of emotional distress

claim, which, as explained above, was misnumbered as the second Count VII. Again, the Court refers to the negligent

infliction of emotional distress claim as Count VIII.

10 Burgess and Baker’s motion does not seek dismissal of Count II. See Doc. 71 at 2 (requesting dismissal of Counts

I, V, VI, VII, and VIII), and 7 (arguing Counts I, V, and VI fail to state a claim for relief). Yet, in their brief, Burgess

and Baker argue Plaintiffs’ negligent supervision claim is barred by respondeat superior. Id. at 9. Plaintiffs’ First

Amended Petition indicates Count II is brought against Youngblood only. Doc. 60 at 14. Nonetheless, Plaintiffs refer

to “individual defendants” and “Defendants” throughout the allegations in Count II. Id. at 15-16. Given the lack of

clarity and without additional briefing on this particular issue, the Court, at this juncture, will not decide if Plaintiffs

sufficiently plead negligent supervision claims against Burgess and Baker.

11 Youngblood does not raise this new argument in her reply. See Doc. 87.

official capacity claims. Id. at 2-3. Generally, courts do not address arguments raised for the first

time in a reply. See United States v. Wilkens, 742 F.3d 354, 360 n.2 (8th Cir. 2014). For this

reason alone, the Court could disregard this new argument. In this instance, the Court addresses

the issue.

(a) Whether Burgess and Baker Are Sued in Their Individual Capacities

“[A] pleading need not allege . . . a party’s capacity to sue or be sued” unless the pleader

is “required to show the court has jurisdiction.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(a)(1)(A). Because the Eleventh

Amendment limits federal courts’ jurisdiction in civil cases against states and their employees, the

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals requires a plaintiff wishing to sue a public official in his or her

individual capacity to clearly state in the complaint that the public official is being sued in his or

her individual capacity. See Baker v. Chisom, 501 F.3d 920, 923 (8th Cir. 2007); Egerdahl v.

Hibbing Cmty. Coll., 72 F.3d 615, 619 (8th Cir. 1995) (citation omitted). “Neither a cryptic hint

in a plaintiff’s complaint nor a statement made in response to a motion to dismiss is sufficient.”

Egerdahl, 72 F.3d at 620. If the complaint is silent as to the capacity in which the public official

is being sued, the court “interpret[s] the complaint as including only official-capacity claims.”

Baker, 501 F.3d at 923 (quoting Egerdahl, 72 F.3d at 619).

In the initial Petition, the case caption indicated Plaintiffs brought claims against the

Individual Defendants in their individual and official capacities. Doc. 1-1 at 1-2. In the First

Amended Petition, however, Plaintiffs truncate the case caption, listing only OHSS followed by

“et. al.” Doc. 60 at 1. And nowhere in the First Amended Petition do Plaintiffs clearly state they

are bringing claims against the Individual Defendants in their individual and/or official capacities.

See Doc. 60.

But the Court’s analysis does not stop here. In their Answer to the First Amended Petition,

Burgess and Baker acknowledge they are sued in their individual capacity in asserting the

following affirmative defense: “Plaintiffs’ claims against them in their personal capacity are barred

by the doctrine of official immunity.” Doc. 64 at 28. The Answer also specifies an “award of

punitive damages against any Defendant” is capped by state statute but recognizes “[p]unitive

damages are not allowed against any Defendant in her official capacity as they are protected by

Sovereign Immunity.” Id. (emphasis added). These allegations indicate Burgess and Baker are

aware they are sued in their individual capacities. See Davis v. Buchanan Cnty., No. 17-06058-

CV-SJ-NKL, 2019 WL 7116363, at *5 (W.D. Mo. Dec. 23, 2029) (finding defendants “understood

that they were being sued in their individual capacities” because they moved for summary

judgment on punitive damages but did not argue dismissal based on unavailability of punitive

damages against a public entity).12 Based on the foregoing, the Court finds Burgess and Baker

have waived any argument that the First Amended Petition is deficient for failing to specify

whether Burgess and Baker were sued in their individual capacities.

(b) Sufficiency of Pleading Claims Not Barred by Official Immunity

Now, the Court examines whether Plaintiffs sufficiently plead facts demonstrating official

immunity does not bar Counts I, II, and VIII against Youngblood and/or Counts I, V, VI, VII, and

VIII against Burgess and Baker. Official immunity protects those “employees who, despite limited

resources and imperfect information, must exercise judgment in the performance of their duties.”

A.F. v. Hazelwood Sch. Dist., 491 S.W.3d 628, 631 (Mo. Ct. App. 2016) (citation and quotation

12 The Court also notes Burgess and Baker were initially represented by the same attorney who represented OHSS,

MSBE, MDESE, and MSSD, but different counsel now represents the Individual Defendants. Docs. 4, 7, 24, 29, 39-

40, 42, 50. This additional fact suggests Burgess and Baker understand they are being sued in their individual

capacities. See Davis v. Buchanan Cnty., No. 17-06058-CV-SJ-NKL, 2019 WL 7116363, at *5 (W.D. Mo. Dec. 23,

2029).

marks omitted). If a public employee performed a discretionary task, there is official immunity.

See id. A task is considered discretionary if “reason and discretion” are used to determine “how

an act should be done or what course of action should be pursued.” Id. (citation omitted).

Official immunity does not apply to ministerial tasks. Id. (citation omitted). A ministerial

task is clerical in nature. Id. A task is considered ministerial if one “is required to perform” the

task “upon a given state of facts, in a prescribed manner, in obedience to the mandate of legal

authority, without regard to his [or her] own judgment or opinion concerning the propriety of the

act to be performed.” Id. (citation omitted). Additionally, official immunity does not apply to

discretionary tasks done in bad faith or with malice. Davis v. White, 794 F.3d 1008, 1013 (8th Cir.

2015) (citation omitted) (construing Missouri state law). “A defendant acts with malice when he

wantonly does that which a man of reasonable intelligence would know to be contrary to his duty

and which he intends to be prejudicial or injurious to another.” Id. (citation omitted).

In the First Amended Petition, Plaintiffs allege Youngblood, Burgess, and Baker were

required to strictly comply with their duties mandated by OHSS Policy 641013; sections 566.100,

213.065.1, and 213.070.2 of the Missouri Revised Statutes; 20 U.S.C. § 1681; 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983

and 12131; the ADAAA; and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Doc. 60 at 8, 11.

Their strict compliance with OHSS’s policy and federal and state statutes, according to Plaintiffs,

“was not a discretionary function,” “did not require Defendants to exercise judgment,” and “was

a ministerial duty imposed by the State of Missouri.” Id. Plaintiffs contend Youngblood, Burgess,

and Baker “observed and/or had personal knowledge of the physical assaults/abuse endured by”

D.O. but “did not report the abuse to any appropriate law enforcement or child protective agency.”

13 OHSS Policy 6410 is not defined in the First Amended Petition. See Doc. 60. Although the First Amended Petition

purports to attach OHSS’s handbook as an exhibit (see id. at 4), the handbook is not attached.

Id. at 8, 10. By not reporting the abuse, Plaintiffs aver Youngblood, Burgess, and Baker breached

OHSS’s policy as well as “their duty of care and duty to protect D.O.” Id. at 10.14

Accepting Plaintiffs’ allegations as true and construing all inferences in the light most

favorable to them, the Court finds Plaintiffs plead sufficient facts demonstrating official immunity

does not bar Counts I, II, and VIII against Youngblood and/or Counts I, V, VI, VII, and VIII

against Burgess and Baker. Therefore, the Court DENIES Youngblood’s, Burgess’s, and Baker’s

requests to dismiss the aforementioned claims on this basis.

(3) Claims Against the Individual Defendants

(a) Negligence (Count I)

The parties agree a prima facie case of negligence requires (1) the defendant owed a duty

to the plaintiff, (2) the defendant breached that duty, and (3) the defendant’s breach was the

proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injury. Doc. 67 at 6-7; Doc. 71 at 8; see also Dilley v. Valentine,

401 S.W.3d 544, 548 (Mo. Ct. App. 2013) (citation omitted). Youngblood, Burgess, and Baker

contend Plaintiffs fail to sufficiently plead causation, and therefore, Plaintiffs’ negligence claims

(Count I) must be dismissed. Doc. 67 at 7-8; Doc. 71 at 8-9.

Upon review of Plaintiffs’ First Amended Petition, the Court finds Plaintiffs sufficiently

plead a claim for negligence against the Individual Defendants. Therein, Plaintiffs allege, inter

alia, Youngblood, Burgess, and Baker observed and/or had personal knowledge of Gore, Stark,

Huddleston, and/or O’Farrell-Silva “repeatedly” kicking, hitting, striking, and shoving D.O. Doc.

60 at 7-10, 13-14. According to Plaintiffs, Defendants knew D.O. was “unable to verbally

14 In the alternative, Plaintiffs allege if strict compliance with OHSS’s policies is considered “a discretionary function,

Defendants acted in bad faith and with malice in contravention to the parents’ specific instructions and expectations.”

Doc. 60 at 8. Because the Court finds Plaintiffs sufficiently plead facts demonstrating official immunity does not bar

Counts I, II, and VII against Youngblood and/or Counts I, V, VI, VII, and VIII against Burgess and Baker, it is

unnecessary to consider Plaintiffs’ alternative argument.

communicate his suffering and needed to be protected and safeguarded by those in charge of his

education and safety.” Id. at 9, 13. Yet, Youngblood, Burgess, and Baker allegedly did not report

the alleged assaults to proper authorities or “stop or remedy the ongoing abuse of” D.O., thereby

breaching their duties to D.O. Id. at 8-14. Also, despite their legal obligations to D.O., Plaintiffs

aver “[e]ach Defendant repeatedly ordered, allowed, and/or permitted unlawful conduct to be taken

against D.O.” Id. at 11. Because Youngblood, Burgess, and Baker breached their duties to D.O.,

Plaintiffs allege D.O. suffered physical and mental injuries, and his parents have sustained injuries

and damages. Id. at 8-14.

Plaintiffs’ First Amended Petition provides Defendants with “fair notice of the nature and

basis or grounds for a claim.” Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678 (citation omitted). And their allegations state

a claim for relief that is plausible on its face. See id. Accordingly, Plaintiffs sufficiently plead

negligence claims against Youngblood, Burgess, and Baker. Thus, the Court DENIES

Youngblood’s, Burgess’s, and Baker’s motions to dismiss Plaintiffs’ negligence claims (Count I).

(b) Negligent Supervision (Count II)

A claim for negligent supervision claim is a variant of the common law tort of negligence.

Cook v. Smith, 33 S.W.3d 548, 553 (Mo. Ct. App. 2000) (citation omitted). As such, a plaintiff

must allege the same elements required for a negligence claim. Davis v. Lutheran S. High Sch.

Ass’n of St. Louis, 200 S.W.3d 163, 165-66 (Mo. Ct. App. 2006) (citation omitted). As set forth

supra, section III(C)(1), Plaintiffs sufficiently allege a negligence claim against Youngblood.

Youngblood argues Plaintiffs’ negligent supervision claim must be dismissed because it is

barred by respondeat superior. Doc. 67 at 9-10. She correctly represents “public officers are not

responsible for acts of subordinate officials, if such subordinates are themselves employees of the

government . . . .” Davis-Bey v. Mo. Dep’t of Corrs., 944 S.W.2d 294, 298 (Mo. Ct. App. 1997)

(citation omitted). The public officer may be liable, however, if she directed, encouraged, ratified,

or cooperated in the negligent conduct. Id. at 298-99.

Youngblood contends Plaintiffs only allege she observed or was present during the

assaults. Doc. 67 at 10. She argues they do not aver how or when she became aware of the assaults

or what information she had. Id. What Youngblood fails to recognize is Plaintiffs allege, among

other things, she breached her duty of care to D.O. by (1) failing “to properly supervise, train, or

screen during the hiring process” the individuals who allegedly assaulted and abused D.O., (2)

“assaulting D.O. and/or allowing D.O. to be repeatedly assaulted or abused without reporting said

abuse or taking any actions to insure that the assaults and abuse were stopped and addressed,” (3)

failing to monitor or control the individuals who allegedly assaulted and abused D.O., and (4) not

protecting “D.O. against foreseeable risks of harm – including assaults or abuse by other

employees.” Doc. 60 at 15. The First Amended Petition also avers “[e]ach Defendant repeatedly

ordered, allowed, and/or permitted unlawful conduct to be taken against D.O.” Id. at 11.

When reading the First Amended Petition as a whole and viewing all allegations, including

the foregoing, in the light most favorable to Plaintiffs, the Court finds Plaintiffs sufficiently plead

a negligent supervision claim against Youngblood. Thus, the Court DENIES Youngblood’s

motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’ negligent supervision claim (Count II).

(c) Assault and Battery (Count V)

Youngblood, Burgess, and Baker move to dismiss Plaintiffs’ claims of assault and battery,

arguing Plaintiffs do not state claims upon which relief may be granted. Doc. 67 at 10-11; Doc.

71 at 10. For assault, a plaintiff must allege (1) the defendant’s intent to cause bodily harm or

offensive contact, or the apprehension of either, (2) the defendant’s conduct indicated said intent,

and (3) the defendant’s conduct caused the plaintiff’s apprehension of bodily harm or offensive

contact. See Elias v. Davis, 535 S.W.3d 737, 745 (Mo. Ct. App. 2017) (citation omitted). For

battery, “the plaintiff must plead and prove an intended, offensive bodily contact with another

person.” State ex rel. Halsey v. Phillips, 576 S.W.3d 177, 181 n.5 (Mo. banc 2019).

In the First Amended Petition, Plaintiffs do not allege facts indicating Youngblood,

Burgess, and Baker intended to cause bodily harm or offensive contact, or apprehension of bodily

harm or offensive contact. See Doc. 60.15 Nor do Plaintiffs aver Youngblood, Burgess, and Baker

contacted D.O. in an offensive manner. See id. Because Plaintiffs fail to set forth these allegations,

they fail to state claims of assault and battery, respectively, against Youngblood, Burgess, and

Baker. Therefore, the Court GRANTS the motions to dismiss the assault and battery claims

(Count V) against Youngblood, Burgess, and Baker.

(d) Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (Count VI)

Youngblood, Burgess, and Baker argue Plaintiffs fail to state a claim of intentional

infliction of emotional distress. Doc. 67 at 11-13; Doc. 71 at 10-12. The tort of intentional

infliction of emotional distress consists of the following: “(1) the defendant must act intentionally

or recklessly; (2) the defendant’s conduct must be extreme or outrageous; and (3) the conduct must

be the cause (4) of extreme emotional distress.” Thomas v. Special Olympics Mo., Inc., 31 S.W.3d

442, 446 (Mo. Ct. App. 2000) (citation omitted). “The conduct must have been ‘so outrageous in

character, and so extreme in degree, as to go beyond all possible bounds of decency, and to be

regarded as atrocious, and utterly intolerable in a civilized community.’” Gibson v. Brewer, 952

S.W.2d 239, 249 (Mo. banc 1997) (quoting Warrem v. Parrish, 436 S.W.2d 670, 673 (Mo. 1969)).

15 Notably, Plaintiffs aver “Individual Defendants Gore, Stark, O’Farrell-Silva and Huddleston, intended to cause

harmful or offensive contact to D.O., or apprehension thereof.” Doc. 60 at 21.

Additionally, the conduct must have been “intended only to cause extreme emotional distress to

the victim.” Id. (citation omitted and emphasis added).

“Where a defendant’s conduct amounts to the commission of one of the traditional torts,

such as battery, and the conduct was not intended only to cause extreme emotional distress to the

victim, the tort of intentional emotional distress will not lie.” Halsey, 576 S.W.3d at 181 (citation

omitted); see also K.G. v. R.T.R., 918 S.W.2d 795, 799 (Mo. banc 1996) (observing the claim of

intentional infliction of emotional distress “was intended to supplement existing forms of recovery,

not swallow them.”). Put another way, “there is no independent action for intentional infliction of

emotional distress where the existence of the claim is dependent upon” a common-law action, such

as battery. K.G., 918 S.W.2d at 800 (citation omitted). Rather, the plaintiff must recover damages

“under the appropriate traditional common-law action.” Halsey, 576 S.W.3d at 181

Plaintiffs do not allege Youngblood, Burgess, and Baker engaged in conduct only to cause

D.O. emotional distress. See Doc. 60. Instead, they allege Defendants’ physical assault of,

emotional abuse of, and failure to report the assault/abuse caused [D.O.] physical and emotional

damages . . . .” Id. at 14, 16, 22. Moreover, the same allegations – physical assault, emotional

abuse, and failing to report the assault/abuse – form the bases of Plaintiffs’ intentional infliction

of emotional distress claims. Id. at 14-16, 21-22.16

For these reasons, Plaintiffs fail to state a cause of action for intentional infliction of

emotional distress against Youngblood, Burgess, and Baker. See White v. Dulany, No. 2:21-CV-

04103-MDH, 2021 WL 4303602, at *8 (W.D. Mo. Sept. 21, 2021); Diehl v. Fred Weber, Inc., 309

S.W.3d 309, 322 (Mo. Ct. App. 2010). Therefore, the Court GRANTS Youngblood’s, Burgess’s,

16 Additionally, when responding to the pending motions, Plaintiffs state, “[a]ny and all emotional distress suffered

by the minor child were due to the assaults, and/or failure to report the assaults . . . .” Doc. 83-1 at 8; Doc. 84-1 at 8.

This statement further reinforces Plaintiffs’ intentional infliction of emotional distress claims are duplicative of their

common law claims.

and Baker’s motion to dismiss Plaintiffs’ intentional infliction of emotional distress claims (Count

VI) against them.

(e) Fraud (Count VII)

The Individual Defendants move to dismiss Plaintiffs’ fraud claims against them. Doc. 67

at 13-15; Doc. 71 at 12-13. The elements of a fraud claim are (1) “a false, material representation”;

(2) “the speaker’s knowledge of its falsity or his/her ignorance of the truth”; (3) “the speaker’s

intent that his/her representation should be acted upon by the hearer in the manner reasonably

contemplated”; (4) “the hearer’s ignorance of the falsity of the representation”; (5) “the hearer’s

reliance on the representation being true”; (6) “the hearer’s right to rely thereon”; and (7) “the

hearer’s consequent and proximately-caused injuries.” BMK Corp. v. Clayton Corp., 226 S.W.3d

179, 193 (Mo. Ct. App. 2007) (citation omitted). The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure require

Plaintiffs to allege fraud with “particularity,” meaning they “must allege such matters as the time,

place, and contents of false representations, . . . the identity of the person making the

misrepresentation and what was obtained or given up thereby.” Mitec Partners, LLC v. U.S. Bank

Nat. Ass'n, 605 F.3d 617, 622 (8th Cir. 2010) (citation omitted); see Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(b) (“[A]

party must state with particularity the circumstances constituting fraud.”). Put simply, Plaintiffs

“must plead the who, what, where, when, and how of the alleged fraud.” Id.17

According to the First Amended Petition, S.O. and B.O. “decided to entrust Defendants

with the care and education of [D.O.]” after reviewing OHSS’s handbook, the Individualized

Education Program for D.O., and MSSD’s written policies. Doc. 60 at 23. Plaintiffs also aver

“Defendants’ representation was a material fact,” “Defendants knew . . . the representations were

17 Plaintiffs concede they must identify the who, what, where, when, and how of the alleged fraud. Doc. 83-1 at 8;

Doc. 84-1 at 9.

false,” “D.O.’s parents had no knowledge the representation was false,” “Defendants intended and

expected D.O.’s parents to act upon their misrepresentation,” D.O.’s parents detrimentally relied

on the misrepresentations, and Plaintiffs, as a result, were damaged. Id. at 23-24.

Plaintiffs assert fraud claims against “All Individual Defendants” but do not plead details

associated with each of the Individual Defendants. See Doc. 60. Setting forth “fraudulent

representations” and attributing fraudulent “conduct to multiple defendants . . . in a group pleading

fashion” does not satisfy Rule 9(b). Streambend Props. II, LLC v. Ivy Tower Minneapolis, LLC,

781 F.3d 1003, 1013 (8th Cir. 2015). Instead, the complaint must “inform each defendant of the

nature of his alleged participation in the fraud.” Id. (citation omitted); see also Christopherson v.

Bushner, 33 F.4th 495, 502-03 (8th Cir.), reh’g denied, 34 F.4th 1123 (8th Cir. 2022). Because

Plaintiffs fail to plead facts informing Youngblood, Burgess, Baker, Gore, Stark, Huddleston, and

O’Farrell-Silva of the fraud each individual allegedly committed, Plaintiffs’ First Amended

Petition does not satisfy Rule 9(b). Accordingly, the Court GRANTS the Individual Defendants’

motions to dismiss Plaintiffs’ fraud claims (Count VII) against them.

(f) Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress (Count VIII)

All Individual Defendants move to dismiss only S.O.’s and B.O.’s claims of negligent

infliction of emotional distress because they fail to sufficiently plead such a claim. Doc. 67 at 15-

16; Doc. 71 at 13. They do not move to dismiss D.O.’s negligent infliction of emotional distress

claims. Id. In response to the motions, Plaintiffs concede Count VIII is only brought by D.O., not

S.O. and/or B.O. Doc. 83-1 at 9; Doc. 84-1 at 9-10. Accordingly, the Court GRANTS the

Individual Defendants’ motions to dismiss S.O.’s and B.O.’s claims of negligent infliction of

emotional distress. D.O.’s claims of negligent infliction of emotional distress remain pending.

(4) Claims Against OHSS, MSBE, MDESE, and MSSD

OHSS, MSBE, MDESE, and MSSD (“State Defendants”) move to dismiss Plaintiffs’

claims that they violated the ADA and ADAAA (Count III) and the Rehabilitation Act (Count IV)

because they contend vicarious liability is not available under these statutes. Doc. 74 at 4-5; Doc.

76 at 3-4. In response to the motions to dismiss, Plaintiffs state they are not proceeding against

the State Defendants on the theory of respondeat superior or vicarious liability. Doc. 85 at 1; Doc.

86 at 1. Accordingly, the State Defendants’ motions to dismiss Counts III and IV based on

respondeat superior are DENIED AS MOOT.

The State Defendants also move to dismiss Counts III and IV because Plaintiffs fail to state

a claim upon which relief may be granted. Doc. 74 at 3-4, 6-7; Doc. 76 at 3-5. To establish a

prima facie claim under Title II of the ADA, the ADAAA, and the Rehabilitation Act, a plaintiff

must demonstrate (1) he is a qualified individual with a disability, (2) who was denied the benefits

of a public entity’s programs or services or was otherwise subjected to discrimination (3) because

of his disability. See Davis v. Francis Howell Sch. Dist., 138 F.3d 754, 756 (8th Cir. 1998). When

the alleged violations are based on educational services for disabled children, “the plaintiff must

prove that school officials acted in bad faith or with gross misjudgment.” B.M. ex rel. Miller v. S.

Callaway R-II Sch. Dist., 732 F.3d 882, 887 (8th Cir. 2013) (citations omitted). “[T]o establish

bad faith or gross misjudgment, a plaintiff must show that the defendant’s conduct ‘depart[ed]

substantially from accepted professional judgment, practice or standards [so] as to demonstrate

that the person[s] responsible actually did not base the decision on such a judgment.’” Id. (quoting

M.Y. ex rel. J.Y. v. Special Sch. Dist. No. 1, 544 F.3d 885, 888 (8th Cir. 2008)). The State

Defendants argue Plaintiffs fail to allege sufficient facts indicating they acted with bad faith or

gross misjudgment. Doc. 74 at 3-4, 6-7; Doc. 76 at 4-5.18

In the First Amended Petition, Plaintiffs allege the State Defendants had actual notice of

the assaults against D.O. Doc. 60 at 17. And although they knew about the assaults, the State

Defendants, according to Plaintiffs, failed to (1) establish and implement effective policies,

procedures, and training to properly prevent, investigate, and address assaults against students; (2)

follow appropriate procedures to properly prevent, investigate, and address assaults of students;

(3) properly report, investigate, and address the initial assaults against D.O., and therefore, allowed

additional and worsening assaults to occur; (4) impartially investigate the initial assaults against

D.O. and falsified their reports about the assaults; (5) appropriately and immediately take remedial

actions regarding the assaults against D.O., and thus, allowed school staff members to remain in

their positions and further assault D.O.; and (6) appropriately and immediately protect D.O. and

offer him alternative educational services. Id. at 17-18. Plaintiffs allege these failures demonstrate

the State Defendants were deliberately indifferent toward D.O. Id. at 17.

When considering the entirety of Plaintiffs’ First Amended Petition and drawing all

inferences in their favor, the Court concludes Plaintiffs state claims for violations of the ADA,

ADAAA and the Rehabilitation Act. Therefore, the Court DENIES the State Defendants’ motions

to dismiss Counts III and IV.

(5) Plaintiffs’ Request to Amend

In their responses to the motions to dismiss, Plaintiffs alternatively request leave to further

amend their petition “to rectify” any pleadings the Court finds insufficient. Doc. 83 at 2; Doc. 84

at 2; Doc. 85 at 2; Doc. 86 at 2. Plaintiffs, however, did not attach the proposed Second Amended

18 Because OHSS, MSBE, MDESE, and MSSD limit their argument to this issue, the Court does the same.

Petition as required by Local Rule 15.1(a)(2). Id. In addition, Plaintiffs do not identify the

additional facts they intend to include in their Second Amended Petition. See id. Because

Plaintiffs fail to attach their proposed Second Amended Petition and do not provide the substance

of the Second Amended Petition, the Court is unable to identify what amendments would be made.

For this reason, the Court denies Plaintiffs’ alternative request to further amend their petition. See

Usenko v. MEMC LLC, 926 F.3d 468, 475 (8th Cir. 2019) (citing In re 2007 Novastar Fin. Inc.,

Sec. Litig., 579 F.3d 878, 884 (8th Cir. 2009) (affirming the district court’s decision denying the

plaintiff’s request for leave to amend the complaint because the plaintiff never submitted a

proposed amended complaint and did not provide the substance of an amended complaint)).

III. CONCLUSION

Based on the foregoing discussion, the Court issues the following rulings on Defendants’

motions to dismiss:

• Youngblood’s Motion to Dismiss (Doc. 66) is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED

IN PART. Plaintiffs’ claims of assault and battery (Count V), intentional infliction of

emotional distress (Count VI), and fraud (Count VII) against Youngblood are

dismissed. S.O.’s and B.O.’s claims of negligent infliction of emotional distress (Count

VIII) against Youngblood are dismissed. Youngblood’s motion to dismiss is denied in

all other respects.

• Baker, Burgess, Gore, Huddleston, O’Farrell-Silva, and Stark’s Motion to Dismiss

(Doc. 70) is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART. Plaintiffs’ claims of

assault and battery (Count V) and intentional infliction of emotional distress (Count

VI) against Baker and Burgess are dismissed. S.O.’s and B.O.’s claims of negligent

infliction of emotional distress (Count VIII) against Baker and Burgess are dismissed.

Plaintiffs’ claims of fraud (Count VII) against Baker, Burgess, Gore, Huddleston,

O’Farrell-Silva, and Stark are dismissed. Baker, Burgess, Gore, Huddleston, O’Farrell-

Silva, and Stark’s motion to dismiss is denied in all other respects.

• MSBE, MDESE, and MSSD’s Motion to Dismiss (Doc. 73) is DENIED.

• OHSS’s Motion to Dismiss (Doc. 75) is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATE: August 16, 2023 /s/ W. Brian Gaddy

W. BRIAN GADDY

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE