PSR attorneys Wyatt Vespermann and Peter Kaufman secured a $10,500,000 settlement for two young boys relating to the abuse they suffered at the hands of their own parents, including witnessing the murder of their infant brother, Jamari. At the time, the three boys were under a San Bernardino County CPS family maintenance plan which permitted them to remain in the family home subject to required CPS supervision. However, the agency failed to conduct mandatory in-person welfare checks for months, properly and regularly assess the boys’ physical condition, or verify the father’s whereabouts, which allowed him to move back into the home despite his extensive violent history. During this time, Jamari was beaten and tortured by his mother and father, often in the presence of plaintiffs J.G. and J.M., and was eventually murdered by them on April 23, 2022.
The case revealed systemic failures by CPS to ensure the children’s safety, even as clear warning signs were present. The surviving boys not only endured abuse themselves but were also forced to witness extreme violence, leaving lasting and severe emotional and psychological harm.