Judge approves settlement in DeBrodie lawsuit
A federal judge made official the long-discussed settlement in death of Carl DeBrodie.
Judge Douglas Harpool signed the settlement on Wednesday, sealing the specific terms between DeBrodie’s mother, Carolyn Summers, and the agencies responsible for taking care of him.
The settlement agreement said the defendants involved “purchased a structured settlement annuity” for Summers. The agreement does not disclose how much money is involved, but notes the defendants’ insurance companies will pay for it.
DeBrodie’s body was discovered on April 24, 2017 after a week-long search in Fulton led investigators to a storage unit. Searchers found his body encased in concrete. The date of his death remains unknown, but court filings estimate he went missing sometime in the fall of 2016. The lawsuit claims employees of the group home he stayed at forced him to fight others for the workers’ entertainment.
One settlement involves Second Chance Homes of Fulton, the facility where DeBrodie lived before his death, as well as people who worked there, including Rachael Rowden, Sherry Paulo and Anthony Flores, Sr. Melissa Delap, a nurse who faked reports on DeBrodie’s health after he had disappeared in Oct. 2016, is included in that group settlement.
The other settlement involves Callaway County Special Services and the Callaway County Public Administrator’s Office.
Attorneys with Carson & Coil, the law firm that represented Summers, will get $3,340.84 as part of the settlement for fees and expenses.
The settlement also notes that Summers’ family plans to use some money to give an unnamed nonprofit organization “to provide for the needs of [DeBrodie’s] sister and potential others in need of support.” Rudy Veit, attorney for Summers, told ABC 17 News last month that they planned on giving some money to local organizations that helped DeBrodie during his life.
Five people still face charges related to DeBrodie’s death. Sherry Paulo, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter and four other charges, faces a Dec. 19 trial.
