PICKENS – The Department of Social Services is now facing a wrongful death lawsuit.
An Upstate family is alleging DSS knew about abusive conditions at a home in Pickens County, and did not remove the children.
One-year-old Kameron Ellis died on April 5, 2015 after spending a month in a coma.
Now, a lawsuit is being brought forward by family members saying DSS failed to protect the innocent child
Kameron’s cause of death: shaken baby syndrome, ruled a homicide by the Pickens County coroner.
According to an incident report from the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, Kameron’s mom, mom’s boyfriend, and grandmother initially told deputies he fell from the couch, and started having a seizure.
Doctor’s at the hospital told deputies Kameron’s death was definitely not an accident.
After their stories changed several times, deputies learned Kameron’s mom and mo’s boyfriend weren’t even home when Kameron allegedly fell from the couch.
According to the report, Tracy Ellis, the grandmother, was the one who told them to lie because she didn’t want DSS to take the children from her since she was already under investigation by DSS.
Tracy Ellis was arrested and charged with Unlawful Neglect of a Child.
Now, a lawsuit is being brought against DSS, alleging they failed to protect Kameron.
DSS says they can’t comment on this lawsuit.
In the lawsuit, the plaintiff is asking for: damages for economics loss, funeral expenses, mental anguish, grief and sorrow, and deprivation of love.
