Dad sues ex-wife over daughter's death

WEST PALM BEACH — The father of an 11-year-old suburban Boca Raton girl who died of carbon monoxide poisoning when her mother left her Ford Explorer running in the garage has sued the girl's mother, his ex-wife, for negligence.

In the wrongful death lawsuit filed last week in Palm Beach County Circuit Court, Kenneth Wilson claims Loretta Wilson "negligently, carelessly and/or recklessly" left the vehicle running, causing the death of his daughter, Amber Sue.

Twelve-year-old Caitlin Brondolo, who was spending the night with Amber Sue on the fateful night in May 2009, also died when Loretta Wilson inexplicably flooded the house with the deadly, odorless gas. While Brondolo's parents hired a lawyer who said the couple planned to sue Wilson, none has been filed, according to court records. They started a foundation in honor of their daughter to publicize the dangers of carbon monoxide.

Neither Wilson, who lives in western Massachusetts, nor his attorney could be reached for comment. Loretta Wilson's criminal defense attorney didn't return a phone call.

Loretta Wilson pleaded guilty in December 2009 to two counts of manslaughter and was placed on probation for five years. As part of the plea deal, Circuit Judge Stephen Rapp withheld adjudication, which means no felony convictions appear on Wilson's record.

She was also ordered to meet privately with her ex-husband and Brondolo's parents to explain what happened the night the girls died. She was also to speak to groups about the dangers of carbon monoxide.

The death of the two young friends shocked the community. According to Wilson's arrest affidavit, after returning home from taking the girls shopping, she parked the Ford in the garage with the keys in the ignition. Amber told her mother the engine was still running. Wilson assured her it was just the Ford's fan running, the affidavit says.

Hours later, a groggy Wilson called 911. Paramedics found her sitting in the bathroom in a stupor with the shower running. She was taken to West Boca Medical Center, where she recovered.

Two mechanics inspected the Ford and found it in good working order. They turned the ignition switch on and off several times, detectives said. The engine fans never continued running.