Man sues county for separating him from his family
The Nigerian immigrant acquitted of murder charges in the 2008 death of a 2-year-old boy announced Tuesday that he has filed a federal civil lawsuit against Clark County for keeping him separated from his family for five months after a jury found him not guilty.
Victor Fakoya, acquitted Dec. 17, 2010, of murder and abuse charges in the death of Daniel Jaiwesimi, was refused the right to live with his wife and two daughters unless he admitted responsibility in a Family Court child protection case.
"What has been lost in time and the joy of parenting my children is something I will never again regain," Fakoya said.
Although Fakoya has filed only against the county, individuals within Child Protective Services and the district attorney's office probably will be named later, said Fakoya's attorney Brent Bryson.
The lawsuit, which seeks
$10 million in damages, alleges that members of Child Protective Services tried to coerce Fakoya into admitting he caused the child's death and that the ordeal has left "emotional scars that will never fully heal."
Bryson also said that the case should set a precedent and serve as a reminder for Child Protective Services.
"The mandate of Child Protective Services is, one, to protect children, and two, to reunify families together. We believe that mission was abandoned in Mr. Fakoya's case," Bryson said.
Contact reporter Tara Verderosa at tverderosa@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0264.
