165 million claim filed against Washington state after baby severely burned in shed fire
A Pierce County family has filed a $165 million claim against the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families, alleging negligence in the oversight of their adopted son, Leo Strode, who suffered severe burns as a baby. The tragic incident occurred when Leo was just nine months old, after a fire engulfed a shed where he was left unattended. The claim highlights systemic failures within the state’s child welfare system, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of vulnerable children.