Second Chance owner last saw DeBrodie in July 2016, lawyer claims

DeBrodie
DeBrodie

Defendants Rachel Rowden and Second Chance Homes have responded to the amended version of the wrongful death lawsuit filed in the Carl DeBrodie case.

Rowden, the previous owner of Second Chance Homes of Fulton, was among those named in the suit initially filed Jan. 23 on behalf of DeBrodie's mother, Carolyn Summers, and amended May 29. Others named included employees of Second Chance and many others in the hierarchy responsible for DeBrodie's care.

Both responses were filed Tuesday by lawyer C. Zachary Vaughn, the same lawyer who responded to the first version of the civil suit. As with the first set of responses, these responses confirm some basic facts about who Rowden is, her connection with Second Chance and what Second Chance does.

The responses also admit the last time Rowden saw DeBrodie face-to-face was in July 2016.

The responses deny all other allegations, including claims Rowden asked DeBrodie's guardians not to remove him from Second Chance in October 2016. The responses also deny claims DeBrodie was subject to abuse before his death and that he was denied habilitation services.

Vaughn repeated the argument that DeBrodie and the plaintiffs were themselves responsible for damage done to the plaintiffs, due to negligence. He also stated that plaintiffs failed to state claims "upon which relief can be granted."

DeBrodie lived at Second Chance, a supported living facility, for several years before his death at age 31. His body was found in a decomposed state in a Fulton storage unit April 24, 2017.

The civil suit claims DeBrodie was made to perform physical labor for Second Chance employees and was denied vital medical attention, leading to his death. Five people connected to Second Chance were arrested and charged in early June. Rowden has not been criminally charged in connection with the DeBrodie case.