Jaycee Dugard Files Claim Against State; Judge Allows Kidnappers To Talk By Phone
Feb. 26 2010, Published 9:30 a.m. ET
Jaycee Lee Dugard has filed a notice of a claim with the state Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, which could be the first step toward suing the state of California for lapses that contributed to her kidnapping and 18-year imprisonment by a convicted sex offender and his wife.
Dugard Victim Compensations Claims
In another development related to Jaycee’s case a judge allowed Phillip Garrido and his wife Nancy to have two five-minute phone calls between now and April 15. In the Friday court action Judge Douglas Phimister also declined to turn over Jaycee’s phone number or address to the defense – but delayed a final ruling on that request.
Two new lawyers were appointed for Jaycee’s daughters to give them a say in whether they are contacted by the Garridos’ attorneys. The judge said he expects the girls to be witnesses in the case.
Before today’s court action Jaycee filed her notice of a claim against the state, and was joined in that action by her two daughters and her mother. They cited “various lapses by corrections department” that contributed to Jaycee’s continued captivity, ongoing sexual assault and “mental and/or physical abuse.” They noted parole agents who checked in on the convicted kidnapper and rapist Phillip Garrido failed to realize she was imprisoned and that the time that she was held captive by Garrido was lengthened.
The claims said that Jaycee and her family suffered “psychological, physical and emotional injury,” after being raped and tortured by Garrido for more than ten years. Jaycee gave birth to two daughters fathered by Garrido during her imprisonment. The lawsuit seeks more than $25,000 and this type of claim is a necessary procedural step before suing the state. She has not indicated if she will file a lawsuit against the state.
Read Jaycee Lee Dugard’s Own Words From Captivity
Jaycee was 11-years-old when she was kidnapped in 1991.