An Aunt Sued Her 8-Year-Old Nephew For RM534,822 Over A Hug That Broke Her Wrist
If you think what she did is shocking, wait till you read what her lawyer says.
By Sadho Ram — 14 Oct 2015, 01:18 PM
Jennifer Connell, a 54-year-old HR manager in New York City, sued her nephew, Sean Tarala, for USD127,000 (RM534,822) over events that occurred at his 8th birthday party 4 years ago in the year 2011
According to the aunt, her nephew, Sean Tarala, now 12, should have known better than to jump into her arms as he welcomed her to his birthday party. She described his act as a "forceful greeting."
The aunt, Jennifer Connell, claimed her nephew acted unreasonably when his exuberant greeting caused her to fall and break her wrist in 2011, the Westport News reported from the courthouse on Monday.
He had been riding his first two-wheeled bicycle – which was bright red, according to testimony – around his home. When Connell arrived, he dropped it and ran to her. “I remember him shouting, ‘Auntie Jen, I love you!’ and there he was flying at me,” Connell is quoted as saying in court.
theguardian.com
She told the court that she realised she had been injured but did not want to raise the matter at the time because she did not want to ruin his birthday celebration.
However, she said the injury had had a massive impact on her life.
Jennifer Connell leaving court after suing her 12-year-old nephew for wrist injury.
Image via Kevin Galliford/TwitterJennifer, who does not have her own children, said that her injury made it difficult to get around Manhattan, where she lived. She said it also caused her other issues.
“I was at a party recently, and it was difficult to hold my hors d’oeuvre (appetizer) plate,” she said, according to the Connecticut Post.
You think she's a riot? You should read what her lawyer said. He finishes it in a way that just adds the cherry on top of this circus act:
Jennifer Connell's lawyer William Beckert told the New York Daily News that his client didn't take pleasure in suing her nephew, but that he "should have known better."
"We have rules for children," he said. "He was not careful. He was unsafe."
Luckily, jurors, who took only 25 minutes, ruled in favour of the kid
According to jurors in Bridgeport, the nephew Sean Tarala was not liable for his actions in the case brought against him by his aunt, Jennifer Connell, the Connecticut Post reported.
The child was the only defendant in the case, and he was accompanied to court by his father, according to the Connecticut Post. The boy’s mother died last year.
The boy's attorney, Thomas Noniewicz, told the New York Daily News that justice was served.
"Kids will be kids," Noniewicz told the newspaper. "He was an 8-year-old boy being an 8-year-old boy…Sean was not negligent."
Unsurprisingly, the 54-year-old has become the most hated aunt:
The entire internet wishing Jennifer Connell had broken her neck instead of her wrist. Shameless money grabbing wretch.
— Stretch (@StretchyStace) October 13, 2015
Y'know eating hors d'oeuvres is a serious matter; clearly he'll move onto murder if she doesn't set him straight <facepalm> #jenniferconnell
— Louise Steggals (@LouLAMarathon) October 13, 2015
Women sues her orphaned nephew for hugging her too tight. Pretty much the worst person ever. #JenniferConnell
— Ross Chmiel (@ross_chmiel) October 13, 2015
Jennifer Connell, you're worse than Skreli and the lion killer combined. Congrats, you've guaranteed yourself a week of public mockery!
— lets get bradical (@brad_schwartz) October 13, 2015
#jenniferconnell has to be the worst human being on earth. Such a disgusting thing to do to your nephew who clearly loved you. Poor kid
— Ms.Rose'Se (@msrosese) October 13, 2015
#JenniferConnell Shows you can choose your mates but not your family... #idiotoftheday #1stworldprobs pic.twitter.com/PUKlKmKoNx
— allanon78 (@mcbt1000) October 14, 2015
This whole #jenniferconnell story is unreal. Suing your nephew? Judge Judy does not approve of your crap. pic.twitter.com/HZQjfUuYmI
— The Cranky Centrist (@CrankyCentrist) October 14, 2015