THIS STORY HAS BEEN FORMATTED FOR EASY PRINTING

State asks judge to dismiss lawsuit by mother of beaten girl

Email|Print|Single Page| Text size – +
May 15, 2008

BOSTON—A judge is considering whether to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the biological mother of a girl who was allegedly beaten into a coma by her adoptive mother and stepfather.

Allison Avrett, of Agawam, is suing the state Department of Social Services for damages for what she calls the wrongful adoption of Haleigh Poutre by Avrett's sister, Holli Strickland.

Strickland and her husband were charged in the 2005 beating that left the girl with brain damage.

During a hearing Wednesday in Suffolk Superior Court, lawyers for the state asked Judge Linda Giles to dismiss the lawsuit. They say Avrett voluntarily consented to allowing her sister to adopt Haleigh at age 7. The judge did not immediately rule on the request.

Haleigh is being treated at a rehabilitation hospital.

© Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

more stories like this

  • Email
  • Email
  • Print
  • Print
  • Single page
  • Single page
  • Reprints
  • Reprints
  • Share
  • Share
  • Comment
  • Comment
 
  • Share on DiggShare on Digg
  • Tag with Del.icio.us Save this article
  • powered by Del.icio.us
Your Name Your e-mail address (for return address purposes) E-mail address of recipients (separate multiple addresses with commas) Name and both e-mail fields are required.
Message (optional)
Disclaimer: Boston.com does not share this information or keep it permanently, as it is for the sole purpose of sending this one time e-mail.