In a significant verdict, a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas jury has ruled that Catholic Charities must pay at least $960,000 to the estate of 4-year-old Jordan Rodriguez. The jury found that the organization was negligent in hiring and supervising its employees, which contributed to Jordan’s tragic death in 2017.
Jordan’s body was discovered buried in the backyard of his Cleveland home while his mother, Larissa Rodriguez, was receiving social services from Catholic Charities. The jury determined that the organization failed to adequately train and monitor its employees, leading to a failure to detect and prevent the abuse that ultimately led to Jordan’s demise.
While Catholic Charities was found partially responsible for Jordan’s death, the jury assigned greater blame to other entities involved in the family’s life. Larissa Rodriguez, who pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, was deemed 52% responsible. Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services, which missed an opportunity to intervene despite a prior abuse allegation, was found 15% responsible. MetroHealth, where doctors failed to report Larissa’s missed appointments, was assigned 11% responsibility. Larissa’s boyfriend, Christopher, who aided in Jordan’s abuse and burial, was deemed 12% responsible.
It’s important to note that these other entities were not named as defendants in the wrongful death lawsuit and therefore cannot be compelled to pay damages. The awarded funds will be directed to the boy’s estate, which was established by family members to support his surviving siblings.
The case will continue on April 30th, with a hearing scheduled before Judge Brian Mooney to determine whether Catholic Charities is liable for punitive damages. The outcome of this hearing will further shape the financial consequences faced by the organization for its role in this tragic incident.
