Mother Suing State over Son’s Death up against Deadline

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — The mother of a teenage boy who died while in state custody is running out of time to find an attorney to handle her lawsuit against the state.

Dawn Van Ballegooyen is seeking unspecified money damages for the death of 17-year-old Brady Folkens, who died in December 2013 while at the State Treatment and Rehabilitation Academy. State officials said he died of a common virus that spread to his heart.

Ballegooyen sued in federal court in December 2014, alleging state negligence. But her attorneys withdrew a year ago, and after three extensions a judge has set a May 25 deadline for her to find new counsel.

The Argus Leader reports that Ballegooyen claims her son died from a reaction to an acne drug that state officials administered.

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