Wrongful Death Suit Filed Following Death Of Somerset Girl

The parents of an 11-year-old Somerset girl who died after choking on a marshmallow at a friend's birthday party have filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

The Herald News reports that Azriel Sage Estabrooks' parents filed their suit in Bristol County Superior Court and are seeking unspecified monetary damages for conscious pain and suffering.

Their attorney, Steven P Sabra of Somerset, told the paper that the family filed their suit in hopes of getting more answers into the circumstances around Azriel's death.

By filing, Sabra and Estabrooks' parents will have access to all the reports and investigation summaries and hopefully get answers to some of their questions.

The lawsuit does name the parents who were hosting the birthday party, Raymond and Alison Dugan of Somerset. According to the Herald, the lawsuit accuses them of failing to provide adequate supervision for the children at the party and for providing hazardous foods, like marshmallows, that could be a choking hazard.

Azriel was given treatment at the scene and was taken to Charlton Hospital. She was later transferred to Hasbro Children's Hospital where she passed away on April 21.

The lawsuit says that Azriel had been without oxygen for "an extended period of time" before she was discovered unconscious and choking on the floor.