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LAYTON, Utah (AP) -- The parents of an infant who was strangled by a cord dangling from a set of window blinds filed a lawsuit against her day-care provider and the manufacturer and installer of the blinds.
Travis and Leslie Wentz of Clearfield claim Jill's Daycare in Layton left their 18-month-old daughter Abbigale unsupervised and that she became entangled in the cord. The girl died Sept. 18, 2006, and the lawsuit was filed earlier this month in 3rd District Court.
The Wentzes claim day-care operator Jill Speth was negligent by failing to monitor the girl and by letting the cord dangle.
The lawsuit also names Dave and Court's Interiors, which installed the blinds. "I really don't remember a thing about it. It was about 13 years ago," co-owner Courtney Bowen said. "I feel really sorry they lost their daughter, but I fail to see how it turns out to be the blind makers' fault."
Springs Industries, a company headquartered in Fort Mill, S.C., said Monday that only one executive could take a telephone call from The Associated Press and that he wasn't available. The AP couldn't find a phone listing for Jill's Daycare or Jill Speth.
Messages left at several Speth residences in Layton weren't returned.
The Wentzes are seeking an undisclosed amount in damages to cover medical, funeral and burial costs. They also seek punitive and special damages for loss of care, comfort and companionship of their daughter.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
