Casa Pacifica sued for wrongful death, says its cooperating with authorities
Camarillo-based Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families has been sued in the September death of a 14-year-old girl who had been under the nonprofit’s care.
In a Nov. 24 statement, Casa Pacifica said it continues to work transparently with the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, during its review and will address the lawsuit through established legal channels.
“Due to the active litigation, we are unable to share more at this time,” the nonprofit provider of children and adolescent mental health services in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, said.
The wrongful death lawsuit was filed Nov. 19 on behalf of the parents of 14-year-old Pipper Bratt who was struck by an SUV on a roadway outside the Casa Pacifica campus on Sept. 19, suffering catastrophic injuries.
At the time, the girl, who had a history of escalating psychiatric crises, had been under Casa Pacifica’s care, the Ventura County Superior Court complaint says.
Pipper succumbed to her injuries on Sept. 23 and her parents made the painful decision to take her off life support, according to the lawsuit.
The civil filing alleges that just days before being struck by the vehicle, Pipper had been raped and drugged by an alleged sex trafficker after leaving the Casa Pacifica facility unattended.
The lawsuit “seeks to hold Casa Pacifica and its staff accountable for what plaintiffs describe as severe negligence and systemic supervision failures that led to Pipper’s death,” Los Angeles personal injury law firm Panish/Shea/Ravipudi, which represents parents Cindy and John Bratt, said.
In its statement, Casa Pacifica said, “we are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Pipper and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and all affected.”
Shawna Morris, Casa Pacifica president/CEO, said the nonprofit provides “compassionate care and a safe, therapeutic environment for youth facing complex mental health challenges.”
The lawsuit seeks punitive and other damages to be determined at trial.
