By Leeann Akers
Journal-Times
CARTER COUNTY, Ky. — The Carter County Emergency Medical Services, EMS Director Jerry Horn, Dr. Carolyn A. Moore, and former EMS paramedic Amanda Sturgill-Jones have been named in a civil lawsuit in Carter Circuit Court. Horn, Moore, and Jones are named as individuals and in their official capacities in the complaint.
Attorney Mike Fox filed the suit in March, claiming that at least three individuals were injected with water while they were in the care of Carter EMS.
According to the complaint, Jones was working at CCEMS as a paramedic at the time, and is accused of stealing Fentanyl for personal use. She allegedly removed the drug from the manufacturer’s containers and replaced it with water.
Jones was indicted on federal tampering charges April 9 and is scheduled to stand trial on June 8.
Horn was serving as the CCEMS director at the time and was responsible for undertaking steps to account for and safeguard substances to assure compliance with policies and laws.
Fox claims in the complaint that Horn also failed in his duties as CCEMS director by not undertaking steps to avoid creating an unreasonable risk of theft, diversion, or misuse of drugs by employees.
Carolyn A. Moore served as the medical director of CCEMS at the time of the thefts. According to the complaint, she also was responsible for oversight of the drugs and failed in those duties.
The complaint details three medical emergencies, concerning James Morrison, Wilma L. Bailey, and Jamanda Thompson.
According to the document, all three were administered “50 mcg of Fentanyl” but it is believed they actually received water which had been placed in the containers by Jones.
Fox claims Jones committed the acts of negligence, gross negligence, and recklessness. CCEMS, Horn and Moore are alleged to have negligently hired, supervised, or retained Jones.
Fox also alleges that administering the tampered drugs to the plaintiffs was a violation of the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act.
The suit asks that the plaintiffs be awarded punitive damages and compensatory damages for emotional and mental distress, anxiety, pain and suffering.
Jones responded to the complaint on April 1 through her attorney, Bob Miller, asking that action against her be delayed until after criminal proceedings against her are completed.
On April 17, attorneys Jeffery Mando and Claire Parsons filed an entry of appearance on Jones’ behalf.
CCEMS, Horn and Moore responded to the complaint April 9 through attorney Phillip Leslie, calling for the complaint to be dismissed due to the statute of limitations.
The response also claims that CCEMS is a quasi-governmental agency, which entitles the defendants to sovereign immunity.
The motion to stay the complaint against Jones was approved. She will appear in U.S. District Court in Ashland for a pretrial conference in her criminal case on May 18.
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©2015 the Journal-Times, Carter County, Ky.