PANISH | SHEA | RAVIPUDI LLP has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Contra Costa County Children & Family Services, Contra Costa Health Services, and the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff on behalf of Marta Barany for violating their mandated duties resulting in the death of her 15 -year-old daughter, Jazmin Pellegrini. Filed in Contra Costa County, the lawsuit seeks to hold these public agencies accountable for their egregious deficiencies in failing to not only address Jazmin’s known medical needs and unlawfully discharging her from medical facilities, but for failing to monitor, report, and investigate known and suspected endangerment as required by law.
PSR attorneys David Rudorfer and Wyatt Vespermann represent Ms. Barany in this matter.
“The Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, CFS, and the Sheriff all failed my daughter, and it feels like a knife to the heart,” said Jazmin’s mother, Ms. Barany. “If even one of these county agencies had done their job properly, everything could have been different for Jazmin. No one should have to experience what our family has been through in seeking help. Jazmin’s life mattered and she deserves justice!”
Decedent Jazmin Pellegrini’s mental health struggles became evident in 2022, and she was deemed eligible for Katie A. services from Contra Costa County’s Children & Family Services (CFS) which included intensive care coordination and mental health counseling. After dozens of psychiatric hospitalizations, multiple suicide attempts, and other harmful behaviors, Jazmin was again hospitalized on March 26, 2024. However, her mental health team and hospital staff determined the teen needed a higher-level of care.
On April 10, 2024, Ms. Barany made the difficult decision to relinquish physical custody of her daughter to CFS so she could receive care in a safe environment, specifically a residential psychiatric facility with access to intensive therapies. Tragically, rather than placing Jazmin in a residential mental health facility, CFS placed her in an ordinary group home that was incapable of meeting her medical and protective needs. Jazmin ran away that same day and was found two days later, suffering a mental health crisis, and admitted to Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (CCRMC).
On April 13, 2024, CCRMC contacted CFS to report Jazmin’s location and hospitalization, as well as to collaborate on a plan of action. Shockingly, CFS took no action and abandoned Jazmin in the midst of this psychiatric hospitalization.
CCRMC evaluated Jazmin on April 16, 2024, and found her to be gravely disabled, triggering a 14-day intensive treatment period. However, less than 24-hours later, the facility unlawfully discharged Jazmin despite her grave condition and she was picked up by family members.
Shortly after arriving home on April 17,2024, Jazmin ran away, and the family called 911. Two Contra Costa County Sheriff’s deputies found and approached Jazmin on the street. The family informed the deputies that Jazmin had just been discharged from a psychiatric hospitalization and was a danger to herself. However, the deputies allowed Jazmin, a minor, to walk away without taking any action.
Three days later, Jazmin’s body was found half-naked, face-down on a driveway in San Francisco.
“County run child protective service agencies exist for the sole purpose of protecting the most vulnerable amongst us,” said Wyatt Vespermann. “Under California law, this critical role includes ensuring children with severe mental health needs receive timely coordinated services. Contra Costa County failed Jazmin time and time again and we intend to hold these agencies fully accountable for their inactions.”