Child-Abuse Story Called Defamatory

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (CN) - A couple claims Loving Healing Press and Modern History Press defamed them in the book, "Little Boy Broken," a "purported autobiographical account of the life of Jeremy Todd, which alleges grossly inappropriate and illegal activity by the plaintiffs, including but not limited to physical, mental, sexual and emotional abuse, child molestation, rape, incest, prostitution, torture and murder."

Robert and Alvera Skundrich claim, "The defendants chose to publish these false allegations despite the fact that the author is an alcoholic and admits to having no true memory of events during certain periods of his life."

The book was published in August 2008, according to the complaint in Osceola County Court. It adds: "The defendants made the true identity of the plaintiffs clear and obvious to the public by referring to plaintiffs directly by name and physical location. The defendants chose to identify the plaintiffs so as to have a more commercially viable 'true story' to marker to the book-buying public."

The Skundriches demand punitive damages and want publication and distribution of the book enjoined unless the publishers state "that it is largely a work of fiction." They are represented by Joseph Flood Jr. of Orlando.

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