Miranda Gaddis: Mother Sues State Over Girl's Murder

Ward Weaver Charged In Death

OREGON CITY, Ore. -- The mother of a murdered Oregon City girl will sue the state over her daughter's death.


FBI agents found the bodies of 13-year-old Miranda Gaddis (pictured) and 12-year-old Ashley Pond last August in the back yard of their neighbor, Ward Weaver.

Weaver has pleaded innocent to murder charges.

Gaddis' mother, Michelle Duffey, is suing the Department of Human Services for $1.5 million.

Pond claimed that she was sexually abused by Weaver. Duffey said that if the state had properly handled abuse reports involving Pond, Gaddis might still be alive. Two DHS workers, Darlene Walsh-Buntrock and Colin Fitzpatrick, were disciplined over the mishandling.

Pond's mother, Lori, has filed a similar lawsuit against the state.


Posted: Aug. 22, 2003


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