State, Evergreen schools pay $49M in teen starvation death

VANCOUVER, Wash. (KPTV) — The state of Washington and Evergreen School District will pay $49.33 million to settle a lawsuit over the 2020 starvation death of 15-year-old Karreon Adams-Franks, attorneys for his family said.

The settlement with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, the Department of Social and Health Services and the school district resolves claims filed on behalf of Karreon’s estate and his two younger brothers, Davis Law Group said. A trial had been set for Oct. 12 in Clark County Superior Court.

Karreon, who was autistic, nonverbal and legally blind, died Nov. 27, 2020. He weighed 61 pounds at the time.

His adoptive parents, Felicia Adams and Jesse Franks, were convicted in 2023 in connection with his death and the mistreatment of his brothers. Adams was sentenced to 35 years in prison, and Franks to 30 years. A state appeals court upheld the convictions and sentences in March.

The lawsuit said the three boys were abused for years, including having food withheld as punishment, being hit with objects, and being locked in a bedroom after the inside doorknob was removed.

Attorneys said the state received reports about the family starting in 2017, including two referrals saying food was being withheld. On Nov. 20, 2020, a relative told the state Karreon looked like a “walking skeleton.” A social worker visited the home the next day and noted Karreon was “very skinny,” but did not get him medical care or remove the children, according to the claims. Karreon died six days later.

The lawsuit also said staff at Shahala Middle School and Mountain View High School documented concerns about the boys for years but did not report suspected abuse to law enforcement or the state, as required for school staff under Washington law.

In one instance in May 2018, one of the boys told a school bus driver that food had been withheld over a weekend, the lawsuit said. Teachers then told Adams about the complaint, and Adams beat the boy in retaliation, according to the claims.

“Physical beatings were a regular occurrence. So, they were being beaten with paddle boards, extension cords. One of the boys was choked to the point of rendering him unconscious,” said Davis. “Dogs are treated much better than these boys were treated over a period of several years,” Davis added.

But Davis said the Franks weren’t the only ones responsible.

“The school had so many documented chances to call DCYS or call the authorities,” Davis said.

School records obtained by FOX 12 show educators at Evergreen Public Schools were potentially aware of the abuse and neglect Karreon experienced.

In one note, an educator wrote: “We did hear a story that his parents will withhold food as a form of discipline.”

“There was a mountain of evidence to show Karreon was being severely neglected,” said Davis.

In another note, educators say Karreon ate breakfast and refused to leave the table until he received more food.

Attorneys said the money paid by the school district was the full amount of its available insurance.

“No amount of money will ever make up for what happened to Karreon and what his brothers lived through,” attorney Chris Davis said in a statement. “The people and agencies responsible for protecting them, at school and at the state, saw the warning signs for years and did not act.”

FOX 12 reached out to the Evergreen School District which provided the following response:

“Evergreen Public Schools has reached a settlement in the lawsuit brought by the estate of Karreon Adams-Franks’ and his two brothers. The district recognizes the profound loss of Karreon’s life and the lasting impact on his family. This was a tragic situation and the perpetrators of these horrendous crimes are in prison for their actions. Evergreen Public Schools hopes that this settlement will allow Karreon’s brothers to continue healing without the burden of enduring a trial.”

“Evergreen Public Schools maintained throughout the litigation that none of its staff failed to make a mandatory report to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) or law enforcement. The district maintains that its staff are well-trained and understand their mandatory reporting responsibilities. The staff who worked with the three brothers were caring and dedicated educators who had the boys’ best interests at heart.”

“The decision to settle was made by the district’s insurers to avoid the risk of a jury verdict exceeding the district’s available insurance coverage. The settlement payment on behalf of Evergreen Public Schools is being made by its insurer.”