“
By Lorraine Swanson, Patch Staff
A South Holland mom is expected to file a lawsuit Tuesday against a home health care provider over claims that her disabled daughter was abused by an employee with a criminal record while attending a Chicago Heights special needs school.
The plaintiff, Veniscia Humphrey, is suing Pediatric Services of America, Inc., for physical abuse her young daughter suffered at the hands of one of the agency's nurses, who had an extensive criminal background.
During the fall of 2013, Humphrey's young daughter, Teniscia, who suffers from permanent disabilities resulting from a traumatic birth injury, began kindergarten at Speed School Dist. 802's Early Learning Center, 1125 Division St., Chicago Heights.
Teniscia is diagnosed with hypoxic ischemic encephalogoy, cerebral palsy and seizure disorder and required the a personal nurse to accompany her throughout the school to assist with her daily activities and all other aspects of her medical care.
Around Sept. 9, 2013, Humphrey's daughter was assigned to Theresa D. Lilly-Dale, a licensed practical nurse hired through Pediatric Services of America, Inc. Humphrey and her attorneys allege that Nurse Dale was talking on her cell phone when she repeatedly hit and slapped the profoundly disabled minor girl.
The incident was witnessed by at least two teachers at the school, the complaint maintains.
Soon after the alleged abuse occurred, Lilly-Dale was ordered by Pediatric Services of America, Inc. not to have any contact with Teniscia until an investigation was completed.
Later, in December that same year, the complaint contends the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services determined that credible evidence of child abuse or neglect was found during their investigation of Lilly-Dale.
Original article courtesy of Lorraine Swanson, Chicago Heights Patch, published March 7, 2016.
