In a heart-wrenching legal battle, the family of a deceased young man has filed a lawsuit against several entities and individuals they hold responsible for his untimely death. The complaint was lodged by Luz Santiago de Hoyos and Jorge Luis Rivera Camacho, both individually and as co-personal representatives of the estate of Lorenzo Santiago, in the Circuit Court for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida on February 26, 2025. The defendants named in this case include Community Behavior Supports, Inc., Gabmire, LLC, Amra Alisic, and Keith Miles-Smart Earle.
The tragic events leading to this lawsuit began on September 30, 2022, when Lorenzo Santiago, a mentally disabled young man diagnosed with autism and other disorders, was living at Farleigh IB Home—a facility owned by Gabmire LLC. The plaintiffs allege that due to negligence and inadequate care from the defendants, Lorenzo suffered severe abuse which led to his death on October 7, 2022. The complaint details numerous failures by the defendants to provide safe living conditions and proper medical care for Lorenzo. According to the plaintiffs' attorney Jasmine Rand from Rand Law L.L.C., "Defendants had a duty to ensure the health and safety of Lorenzo Santiago," yet failed in their responsibilities.
The complaint accuses Gabmire LLC and its managers Amra Alisic and Keith Miles-Smart Earle of neglecting safety measures despite being aware of past incidents involving violence and improper restraint techniques at their facility. Furthermore, Community Behavior Supports is accused of failing to provide adequate training for staff handling intellectually disabled individuals like Lorenzo. On two occasions prior to his death, police had been called due to incidents involving Lorenzo's aggressive behavior linked to medication changes—incidents that allegedly should have prompted an update in his behavioral plan but did not.
On the day of his death, Lorenzo was reportedly transported while physically restrained inappropriately without medical supervision or intervention despite exhibiting distress signals. Upon arrival at Community Behavior Supports' facility unconscious and in need of urgent medical attention—no CPR or emergency services were provided promptly according to court documents.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages exceeding $75,000 for loss of support and services along with punitive damages against all defendants involved under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act. They argue that these damages are necessary not only for their personal loss but also as compensation for medical expenses incurred due to what they claim was wrongful death caused by gross negligence.
Represented by attorney Jasmine Rand from Miami-based Rand Law L.L.C., Luz Santiago de Hoyos along with Jorge Luis Rivera Camacho demand justice through this lawsuit which underscores significant lapses within facilities tasked with caring for vulnerable populations such as those mentally challenged or disabled like their son was before his demise.
This case is being presided over under Case Number: 25-000924-CI in Pinellas County Circuit Court where Judge Ken Burke serves as Clerk overseeing proceedings related thereto since filing date February 26th last year when electronic submission occurred via official channels available therein.