A lawsuit has been filed against an Ohio group home, Clear Skies Ahead, alleging negligence that led to the death of a resident with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The resident, James Stewart, had a history of constipation, a side effect of his medication, which the lawsuit claims was ignored by the staff, resulting in a fatal accumulation of feces in his colon.
Stewart, 41, had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizoaffective disorder with impulse control disorder. His medication regimen for these conditions caused severe constipation. He was a resident at Clear Skies Ahead, a facility in Bazetta Township, because he required daily assistance and supervision.
The lawsuit alleges that Stewart died on November 15, 2024, after weeks of complaining about constipation to the staff. In the days leading up to his death, Stewart reportedly exhibited signs of abdominal pain and was not his usual self. The complaint describes him as typically a “happy, friendly, and active individual,” but in the weeks before his death, he was “despondent, low energy, and complaining of pain.”
The lawsuit further alleges that Stewart showed visible signs of severe constipation, including abdominal bruising. Despite this, the staff at Fairhaven Industries, contracted by Clear Skies Ahead, did not inform Stewart’s doctor or his family about his condition. The complaint also alleges that the group home and Fairhaven Industries did not have a system in place to monitor and record residents’ bowel movements.
According to the lawsuit, Stewart’s complaints about not feeling well and experiencing consistent abdominal pain were not taken seriously by the staff. On the day of his death, a staff member allegedly instructed Stewart to “sit on the toilet,” but he was unable to have a bowel movement.
Stewart was later found unresponsive in his room by a Clear Skies Ahead manager. The Bazetta Township Fire Department arrived shortly after and noted that Stewart’s abdomen was significantly distended and rigid. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The county coroner’s autopsy revealed that Stewart’s colon was obstructed with hardened stool, which had accumulated to over 20 pounds. This put immense pressure on his internal organs, causing gas from his bowel to force its way into his abdomen through microtears in his intestinal wall.
Attorney Matt Mooney, representing Stewart’s family, stated, “Group homes like Clear Skies Ahead are entrusted with the care of our most vulnerable loved ones. What happened to James is a heartbreaking reminder of what can occur when that responsibility is ignored. This lawsuit is about accountability and ensuring no other family ever endures a loss like this.”