Attorneys for Jaycee Dugard filed a complaint today against the United States government for what she alleges was negligent supervision of then-parolee Phillip Garrido, her kidnapper and captor for 18 years who fathered her two children.
The complaint, filed in federal court in San Francisco this morning, states that the federal government had supervision over Garrido, a convicted sex offender, from his release from federal prison in 1988 until 1999, when the state of California assumed responsibility for his supervision.
The state already agreed in July to pay Dugard and her two daughters a $20 million settlement.
The U.S. government has rejected two previous requests by Dugard for private mediation, according to her spokeswoman, Nancy Seltzer.
Seltzer said Dugard, who is now 30, is not seeking to enrich herself by suing the government, and plans to donate any money awarded to the JAYC Foundation, an organization that provides supportive services to victims of kidnappings and other traumatic experiences.
Garrido kidnapped Dugard in 1991 as she was walking near her home in South Lake Tahoe. He and his wife, Nancy Garrido, held Dugard captive in the backyard of their home outside of Antioch.
Phillip Garrido is now serving a 431-years-to-life term in state prison while Nancy Garrido is serving 36 years to life following the couple’s sentencing in June.
Laura Dixon, Bay City News
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