Mom Blames Church for Son’s Suicide

CLAYTON, Mo. (CN) - A suicidal teenager stabbed his brother and then himself after a counselor ignored his suicide letter, the teenagers' mother claims in court.

Lydia Davis and her son Tyree sued San Francisco Temple Christian Assembly and Lashay Carter, a youth leader for the temple, in St. Louis County Court.

Davis says her son, Quentin Lee Davis, suffered from autism and pervasive disorder and that Cater was counseling him for suicidal thoughts.

Pervasive disorder involves delays in the development of basic skills; children with this condition are often confused in their thinking and have problems understanding the world around them, according to WebMD.

Davis says her son, who was 17, gave Carter a letter that explained his thoughts of killing himself and others on May 27, 2012.

But instead of acting on the letter, Carter "placed the letter in her purse and failed to take necessary steps to inform proper treatment facilities and/or decedent's mother," the complaint states.

"(D)ecedent was increasingly upset after said meeting with counselor; at which time he went home and attacked his younger brother, Tyree Angelo Davis, stabbing him on both arms and stomach," the complaint states.

"(D)uring said attack on his brother, decedent committed suicide by stabbing himself; thereby inflicting a fatal wound."

Davis claims Carter was not licensed or credentialed to give such counseling.

She seeks damages for wrongful death and negligence. She is represented by Herman L. Jimerson.

The San Francisco Temple was founded in 1969 in north St. Louis. As membership grew, the church moved to an 11-acre location in north St. Louis County. According to the church's Facebook page, it was founded on "on love, honor, respect, prayer, fasting and the support of the church with tithes and offerings."

San Francisco Temple officials had no comment on the lawsuit.

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