Oregon Man with Compulsive Eating Disability Died After Allegedly Eating Unsafe Food Hidden in His Room. Now, His Mom Is Suing The State

An Oregon mother has initiated legal action against state agencies and a foster home service following the tragic death of her son, who had Prader-Willi Syndrome, a genetic disorder that leads to insatiable hunger. Martha Hutton filed a $5 million lawsuit alleging wrongful death and violations of civil rights after her son, Lee Massie-Hardy, died at the age of 31 on May 14, 2023, reportedly due to consuming perishable food that had been improperly stored in his living quarters.

Massie-Hardy had a history of multiple health complications associated with Prader-Willi Syndrome, which is known for causing severe appetite dysregulation, compulsive eating behaviours, and obesity-related issues. According to the lawsuit, Massie-Hardy’s condition meant that he could not accurately perceive feelings of fullness, leading him to hoard and consume food items that could pose serious health risks.

As laid out in the legal complaint, the arrangement for Massie-Hardy’s care included a detailed care plan designed specifically for his needs at a foster home, where he had resided since at least May 2023. This plan mandated that staff would implement strict measures to curb his compulsive food-seeking behaviour. Documentation provided to caregivers outlined the risks associated with his condition and prescribed protocols, including restricting his access to food and preventing unsupervised outings.

However, Hutton alleges that these essential safety measures were systematically ignored by the foster care staff. The complaint states that, on several occasions prior to his death, Massie-Hardy was caught with stolen food items and was permitted to bring them back to his room without adequate supervision. The lack of oversight meant he had the opportunity to consume unrefrigerated, hazardous food items that severely jeopardised his health.

On May 1, 2023, Massie-Hardy was taken to the emergency room following a severe bout of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. He was seen again the following day with similar symptoms, and medical personnel considered various diagnoses, including foodborne illness. He returned to the emergency department on May 13, reporting difficulty breathing, a complication linked to his health issues, which also included heart failure and obesity.

The lawsuit contends that the unrestricted access to dangerous food, coupled with known risks and his detailed care plan, directly contributed to the medical crisis that led to his untimely death. A particularly shocking element of the complaint highlights that no adequate action was taken by his care team at any point between his visits to the emergency room, showcasing a critical failure in his monitoring and treatment.

A month prior to Massie-Hardy’s death, staff reportedly discovered stolen food items in his living quarters, yet there was no escalation in safety precautions to mitigate the risk of food-related health crises. The lawsuit accuses the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), the foster home operator, and the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services of failing to protect Massie-Hardy’s civil rights, contributing to his suffering and resulting in his death.

Martha Hutton is seeking a total of $5 million in damages, divided into $4.5 million for non-economic losses and $500,000 for economic damages. The suit claims that staff’s negligence and reckless disregard for Massie-Hardy’s well-being constitutes both physical abuse of a vulnerable individual and wrongful death, given their awareness of his tendencies towards self-harm due to his disability.

As of now, the Oregon Department of Human Services has opted not to comment on the ongoing legal proceedings. The case raises pressing questions about the standards of care in facilities aimed at supporting individuals with disabilities and the accountability of those responsible for their welfare. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for similar cases in the future and highlight the urgent need for stringent adherence to care protocols for at-risk individuals.