Parents File State Court Suit Alleging Baptism of Their Son Without Their Consent

As previously reported, last October an Ohio federal district court dismissed a suit by parents of a minor child who contended that the mentor assigned by a juvenile court to their son coerced him into being baptized against the wishes of his parents. The court held that the various defendants were not state actors or had judicial immunity. Now the parents have refiled in state court, alleging causes of action that do not require a showing of state action. The complaint (full text) in Defibaugh v. Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Northeast Ohio Board of Trustees, (OH Com. Pl., filed 4/24/2018), alleges civil assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent training and supervision of employees and volunteers, and civil conspiracy.  American Atheists issued a press release announcing the filing of the lawsuit.