09/27/2005

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (AP)– The Somerset County Department of Social Services on Monday settled a suit brought by the father of a fatally abused child for $50,000.

The father, Clark Bell, sued Somerset County Social Services for $1 million, claiming the agency ignored reports that his daughter, 2-year-old Whitney Williams, was being abused at her mother’s home.

Whitney died in October 2002. Her mother, Carole Anne Quillen, was convicted of manslaughter and was sentenced to a five-year prison term. Quillen’s boyfriend, Christopher Allen, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for child abuse resulting in death.

Bell will receive $48,000. Another $2,000 was granted to the Williams estate, which in effect grants $1,000 each to Bell and Quillen. (Source: Somerset County, MD)