TAMPA -- A woman is suing after getting shot in the eye by a BB gun.
Yolanda Mathews filed a complaint on August 6 in Hillsborough County Circuit Court against Peak Academy, LLC d/b/a Peak Group Homes, Florida Department of Children and Families, Eckerd Youth Alternatives and Muniz Holdings for intentional tort, negligent inspection, negligent retention, negligent supervision and negligence.
According to the complaint, on May 8, 2018, Mathews was hired as "house mom" for Peak Academy. On Jan. 31, 2018, a letter stating that the children living in Peak Academy were in possession of guns from a concerned parent was sent to DCF and Eckerd, the suit says.
Mathews alleges that Muniz Holdings knew about the guns prior to the letter. On May 26, 2018, police came to Peak Academy in response to teenagers having guns on the property, the suit claims.
On June 1, 2018, another female employee allegedly stated she refused to work at the home as long as there were guns on the premises. On June 2, 2018, someone came to the residence and shot a BB gun through the peephole and caused Mathews permanent blindness, scarring and disfigurement of the right eye.
Mathews is represented by Katherine Neal.
Circuit Court for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Hillsborough County filing number 132192895