Dec. 13 (UPI) -- A North Carolina mother is suing AlliedBarton Security Services after she says they put her son in a taxi and sent him home even though he was already dead.

Hospital security guards sent, A'Darrin Washington, who they claimed was "uncooperative" and "refusing to talk or move," home from Cumberland County Hospital on Nov. 22, 2011.


A'Darrin had been going to the hospital for 10 years for treatment for recurrent pneumonia associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. On Nov. 14, A'Darrin was admitted to the hospital and misdiagnosed with bacterial pneumonia.

After he was correctly diagnosed with fungal pneumonia and given the proper medication, the hospital said he was ready to be discharged on Nov. 21 even though he was still feeling weak and ill.

When hospital called a taxi service to take A'Darrin home the next day, AlliedBarton Security guards moved him from a wheelchair and into the cab, according to his mother.

"(A) nurse called for security to escort Mr. Washington from his hospital bed to the lobby for discharge because Mr. Washington was allegedly 'uncooperative' and 'refusing to talk or move,'" the complaint states. "Mr. Washington was unresponsive due to the fact that he was dying."

Deborah Washington claims that the guards put her son in the taxi and even crossed his legs. When he arrived at home after a 45-minute trip, he was "unresponsive and cold to the touch."

She is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for negligence, wrongful death and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

[Courthouse News]