Second Chance Homes responds to Carl DeBrodie wrongful death lawsuit

The owner of the group home where Carl DeBrodie was living at the time he was found dead inside a storage unit has responded to a wrongful death lawsuit filed by his family.

The lawsuit was filed by DeBrodie’s birth mother Carolyn Summers in January.

The attorney for Second Chance Homes and owner Rachel Rowden argued any damages to Summers were caused and contributed to or by Summers or Carl DeBrodie’s own negligence.

The wrongful death lawsuit names 23 defendants including Callaway County and the Department of Mental Health.

Attorneys for Callaway County and Public Administrator Karen Digh Allen filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit last week, arguing the case was too broad and vague for a judge to rule on.

The Missouri Department of Mental Health also responded, arguing it could not be held responsible for what happened at Second Chance Homes because it is a private business.