GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A judge has ruled that the mother of slain 3-year-old Jordyn Dumont can be sued for $12 million by the child’s father.
Jordyn Dumont was killed by her mother’s boyfriend in 2016. Billie McCullen is serving a life sentence for the crime and now, Jordyn’s father has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against her mother, Jaylene Dumont.
Jordyn’s biological father, Josh Kinnett, said the mother should have known their daughter was in danger and should’ve protected the child.
Kinnett’s attorney said it is unlikely that if they win the lawsuit that Jaylene Dumont or McCullen can pay up. However, it will send a message to other parents in the same situation.
McCullen beat the girl to death at a home on Bess Town Road in Gaston County. He placed the girl’s body in a shallow grave and reported that she was missing.
Several people protested for months following Jordyn’s death saying they believed Jaylene Dumont, who was never charged, should be held accountable for her daughter’s death.
Kinnett’s lawsuit claims Jaylene Dumont was negligent in her role as Jordyn's biological mother and that she failed to protect her from abuse.
Jaylene Dumont didn't return Channel 9’s calls Tuesday, but she did talk in 2016.
"I can't get her back. I can't hold her. I can't kiss her," the mother said in 2016.
She said never saw McCullen harm her baby and would never put Jordyn in harm's way.
"Nobody loved her like I did. Nobody cared about her like I did," she said.
Jordyn Dumont Update
— Ken (@kenlemonWSOC9) February 25, 2020
I talked to the judge that is now deciding if the grieving mother of a murdered 3 year old should be sued. Jaylene Dumont was never charged. Her boyfriend is serving a life sentence to the death of Jordan. I learned why the biological father filed the suit. pic.twitter.com/nPmptykWB1
The Department of Social Services visited the family’s home five times before Jordyn’s death but never found a reason to remove her or her younger sibling from the home.
Kinnett said that he worried about Jordyn's well-being and called for help from his home several states away.
"I got so fed up that I called the sheriff and I did a well-being check," Kinnett said.
He believes social workers missed clues that could have saved his daughter's life.
Kinnett said he has not filed suit against DSS yet, but that could happen.
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