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Date: 01-26-2020
Case Style:
RORY T. WHITE AND ROMAINE L. WHITE INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF THEIR MINOR CHILD, RICHARD WHITE Vs. NEW ORLEANS CENTER FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS
Case Number: 2019-CA-0213
Judge: Court composed of Chief Judge James F. McKay, III, Judge Paula A. Brown, Judge Dale N. Atkins
Court: COURT OF APPEAL
FOURTH CIRCUIT
STATE OF LOUISIANA
Plaintiff's Attorney: Angela J. O'Brien
William David Coffey
LOUISIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE
Defendant's Attorney:
Description:
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This lawsuit arises from the reporting of an alleged sexual assault of a
student at New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (“NOCCA”) by Richard
White (“Richard”), another NOCCA student.
NOCCA is a public high school that provides arts education and academic
instruction to qualified students from the State of Louisiana. NOCCA is an agency
of the State of Louisiana created by La. R.S. 17:1970.23.
Kyle Wedberg, the President and CEO of NOCCA; Blake Coheley, NOCCA
Director of Student Services; and Amy Alvarez, a social worker at NOCCA are all
2
NOCCA employees/administrators. Lee Randall is the Chairman of the NOCCA
Board, and according to Plaintiffs, is a public official and not an employee of
NOCCA.
In February 2016, during Richard’s twelfth grade year, NOCCA
administrators were notified that Richard had allegedly committed acts of sexual
misconduct against another student. Thereafter, Richard was sent home and his
parents, Rory White and Romaine White (“the Whites”), were advised that Richard
“had done something outside of school” that mandated NOCCA to report the
allegations against Richard to the New Orleans Police Department (“NOPD”) and
the Department of Children and Family Services (“DCFS”).1
NOCCA employees, Wedberg, Coheley, and Alvarez, met with the Whites
and Richard (“Plaintiffs”) on February 29, 2016, about the allegations. According
to Plaintiffs, NOCCA refused to name the student-accuser and refused to reveal the
substance of the allegations. They allege that Richard was denied minimal due
process because he was not informed of the allegations nor given an opportunity to
respond to the charges or defend himself. Plaintiffs were informed that Richard
was not allowed to attend class and was required to complete the rest of the
semester from home. At the meeting, a letter of understanding was given to the
Plaintiffs, stating that Richard would not be able to participate in any school
activities, including social events, art performances, or graduation, without forty
eight hour advance approval from NOCCA administrators. Plaintiffs allege
Richard was unable to attend school from February 26, 2016 through the end of the
school year, approximately two and one half months. They further claim that
1 In the petition for damages, the student who accused Richard is referred to by the initials “CC.”
3
Richard was required to determine on his own what assignments he was required to
complete without the benefit of instruction.
On March 22, 2016, the Whites, individually and on behalf of Richard, who
was a minor at the time, filed a petition for injunction, temporary restraining order,
and preliminary injunction against NOCCA seeking an order to allow Richard to
return to class and participate in activities and prohibiting NOCCA from
interfering with Richard’s free enjoyment thereof. 2 The trial court denied the
request for injunctive relief but ordered that NOCCA contact “the parents of the
minor to ensure that the minor has clear instructions on his education
requirements.”
On March 1, 2017, the Whites and Richard, who was named as a plaintiff in
his own right as he was now over the age of majority, filed a petition for damages
against NOCCA, as well as Kyle Wedberg, Blake Coheley, Amy Alvarez, and Lee
Randall (“Defendants”). Plaintiffs alleged causes of action for defamation,
intentional infliction of emotional distress, deprivation of Constitutional Rights,
negligent supervision/failing to protect against bullying, false light invasion of
privacy, conversion, and loss of consortium.3 Specifically, Plaintiffs alleged that
Defendants published statements about Richard to the NOPD and the DCFS that
were defamatory per se because they expressly or implicitly accused Richard of
criminal conduct and/or injured his personal and professional reputation. Plaintiffs
claimed Defendants’ actions were extreme and outrageous and they knew that
2 This lawsuit was filed in the Civil District Court, allotted to Division “G,” Section 11, Case No. 2016-2903. At the time the injunction was filed, neither the Whites nor Richard had been contacted by the NOPD or the DCFS.
3 This suit was allotted to Division “A,” Section 15, and assigned Case No. 2017-1901. The petition for damages alleges that the NOPD contacted Plaintiffs and conducted an investigation but did not file charges against Richard. Plaintiffs were never contacted by the DCFS.
4
severe emotional distress was substantially certain to follow. They alleged that
Defendants acted under the color of state law when they deprived Richard of his
rights to liberty, property, and privacy. Plaintiffs claimed that Defendants had a
statutory duty to protect Richard against bullying from other students and failed to
provide reasonable supervision to prevent other students from spreading untrue
rumors, shunning Richard, and threatening harm to him. Plaintiffs alleged that
Richard’s privacy was invaded by Defendants’ actions that placed him in a false
light, causing other students, teachers, and school personnel to believe that he had
been expelled and/or charged with a crime. Plaintiffs claimed that when
Defendants ordered Richard to leave school, they had in their custody and control
items belonging to Plaintiffs, including Richard’s hard drive, data, and lighting
equipment. They claimed Defendants have declined to return these items despite
repeated requests. Finally, Plaintiffs alleged that the Whites suffered as a result of
the damages Richard incurred and seek damages for loss of love and affection, loss
of society, and loss of consortium.
In response, Defendants filed an exception of no cause of action, claiming
they have immunity from the lawsuit because Plaintiffs’ allegations against them
originate from Defendants’ mandatory duty to report the accusations against
Richard and mandatory reporters are protected from liability under Louisiana law.
Defendants argued that as a result, Plaintiffs failed to allege sufficient facts to
support a cause of action.
The injunction suit and the damages suit were consolidated on November
17, 2017.
5
The exception of no cause of action came before the trial court on October
26, 2018, and the trial court granted the exception from the bench.4 A judgment
granting the exception of no cause of action was signed on November 27, 2018.5
Plaintiff filed a motion for devolutive appeal on December 5, 2018, which
was signed by the trial court on December 6, 2018.
On March 12, 2019, this Court ordered the trial court to amend the
November 27, 2018 judgment to include the “appropriate and necessary decretal
language.”6 This Court’s order also stayed briefing deadlines until the record was
4 There was also an exception of vagueness and a motion to compel before the trial court. However, due to the trial court’s ruling on the exception of no cause of action, the exception of vagueness was not considered and motion to compel was deemed moot.
5 On December 3, 2018, Plaintiff filed a request for written reasons for judgment. Written reasons for judgment were issued on January 5, 2019, which state, in relevant part:
NOCCA is a mandatory reporter under La. Children’s Code article 603(17)(d). This reporting is clearly mandated by the Louisiana Children’s Code articles 609(A)(1); 610.
The mandatory duty is to encourage those with reasonable cause for suspicion to report possible causes of sexual abuse and is sought to protect victims, especially minors, by ensuring appropriate authorities are alerted as soon as possible.
Louisiana law provides immunity from lawsuit for mandatory reporters to ensure that mandatory reporters are free to make their reports without fear of repercussions through civil lawsuit. La. Ch.C. art 611(A)(1)(a) [provides]:
No cause of action shall exist against any:
Person who in good faith makes a report, cooperates in any investigation arising as a result of such report, or participates in judicial proceedings authorized under the provisions of this Chapter.
Additionally, La. R.S. 14:131.1 imposes penalties and fines upon persons who fail to report the commission of rape and sexual abuse.
The allegations made against NOCCA arise out of NOCCA’s mandated reporting of the alleged incident pursuant to La. Ch.C. arts. 609 and 610. Plaintiffs have no cause of action against NOCCA for the reporting of the alleged incident. NOCCA was mandated by law to report the allegations, which NOOCA did. NOCCA is granted immunity from lawsuit pursuant to its decision to report the allegation. Plaintiffs have no cause of action against NOCCA based upon the facts asserted.
6 This Court’s order noted that the November 27, 2018, judgment did not name the party in favor of whom the ruling was ordered and did not name the party against whom the ruling was
6
supplemented with the amended judgment. The trial court executed an amended
judgment on March 14, 2019, and issued notice of signing of judgment the
following day.7
On March 22, 2019, this Court issued a notice of completion of record. This
timely appeal follows.8
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Plaintiffs raise two assignments of error. They contend that the trial court
erred in granting the exception of no cause of action because Defendants’ alleged
qualified immunity as a mandatory reporter cannot be raised on an exception of no
cause of action and because the immunity for mandatory reporting is only
applicable to defamation claims and not a defense to the other allegations against
Defendants. Plaintiffs also claim the trial court erred in granting the exception
without allowing Plaintiffs the opportunity to amend pursuant to La. C.C.P. art.
934.
ordered. It also found that reference to extrinsic sources was required to determine whether the judgment dismisses all claims in the petition for damages or whether the judgment all claims in both the petition for injunctive relief and the petition for damages.
7 The amended judgment provided, in relevant part:
IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the Defendants[,] the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA), Kyle Wedberg, Blake Coheley, Amy Alvarez, and Lee Randall[’s] Exception of No Cause of Action for all of Plaintiffs[,] Rory White, Romaine White and Richard White’s claims is sustained; that Plaintiffs[,] Rory White, Romaine White and Richard White’s suit be dismissed with prejudice; and that this Judgment be designated as a Final Judgment.
The amended judgment clarified that all of Plaintiffs’ claims were dismissed.
8 The notice of completion of record ordered that Plaintiffs submit their brief by April 16, 2019, and Defendants submit their response by May 6, 2019. After moving for an extension of time, which this Court granted, Plaintiffs timely filed their brief on April 26, 2019.
7
Assignment of Error No. 1: Granting of the Exception of No Cause of Action
The peremptory “exception of no cause of action raises a question of law,”
and a court of appeal reviews the district court’s ruling de novo. Ocwen Loan
Servicing, LLC v. Porter, 2018-0187, p. 3 (La. App. 4 Cir. 5/23/18), 248 So.3d
491, 495.
“The function of the peremptory exception is to have the plaintiff's action
declared legally nonexistent, or barred by effect of law, and hence this exception
tends to dismiss or defeat the action.” La. C.C.P. art. 923.
A peremptory exception of no cause of action questions whether the law
extends a remedy against a defendant to anyone under the factual allegations of a
petition. Mid-S. Plumbing, LLC v. Dev. Consortium-Shelly Arms, LLC, 2012-1731,
p. 4 (La. App. 4 Cir. 10/23/13), 126 So.3d 732, 736. In other words,
an exception of no cause of action tests “the legal sufficiency of the petition by
determining whether the law affords a remedy on the facts alleged in the
pleading.” Green v. Garcia-Victor, 2017-0695, p. 4 (La. App. 4 Cir. 5/16/18), 248
So.3d 449, 453 (quoting Moreno v. Entergy Corp., 2010-2281, p. 3 (La. 2/18/11),
62 So.3d 704, 706).
“In deciding an exception of no cause of action a court can consider only the
petition, any amendments to the petition, and any documents attached to the
petition.” Green, 2017-0695, p. 4, 248 So.3d at 453(quoting 2400 Canal, LLC v.
Bd. of Sup'rs of Louisiana State Univ. Agr. & Mech. Coll., 2012-0220, p. 7 (La.
App. 4 Cir. 11/7/12), 105 So.3d 819, 825). “A court cannot consider assertions of
fact referred to by the various counsel in their briefs that are not pled in the
petition.” Id. “The grant of the exception of no cause of action is proper when,
assuming all well pleaded factual allegations of the petition and any annexed
8
documents are true, the plaintiff is not entitled to the relief he seeks as a matter of
law.” Id. Further, “any doubt must be resolved in the plaintiffs’ favor.” Id.
However, the mere conclusions of the plaintiff unsupported by facts do not set
forth a cause of action. Green, 2017-0695, p. 4, 248 So.3d at 453-54 (citing 831
Bartholomew Investments–A, L.L.C. v. Margulis, 2008-0559, p. 10 (La. App. 4 Cir.
9/2/09), 20 So.3d 532, 538). Plaintiffs argue that the trial court erred in granting
the exception because a mandatory reporter’s qualified immunity cannot be
asserted on an exception of no cause of action and because the immunity for a
mandatory reporter is only relevant to defamation claims and not a defense to the
other allegations against Defendants.
Mandatory Reporter
A mandatory reporter is defined in La. Ch. C. art. 603, and provides in
pertinent part:
(17) “Mandatory reporter” is any of the following individuals:
* * *
(d) “Teaching or child care provider” is any person who provides or assists in the teaching, training, and supervision of a child, including any public or private teacher, teacher's aide, instructional aide, school principal, school staff member, bus driver, coach, professor, technical or vocational instructor, technical or vocational school staff member, college or university administrator, college or university staff member, social worker, probation officer, foster home parent, group home or other child care institutional staff member, personnel of residential home facilities, a licensed or unlicensed day care provider, or any individual who provides such services to a child in a voluntary or professional capacity.
* * *
(23) “Person” means any individual, partnership, association, agency, or corporation, and specifically shall include city, parish, or state law enforcement agencies, and a parish or city school board or a person employed by a parish or city school board.
9
La. Ch. C. art. 609(A)(1) provides that “any mandatory reporter who has
cause to believe that a child’s physical or mental health or welfare is endangered as
a result of abuse or neglect … shall report in accordance with Article 610.”9 A
violation of the “duties imposed upon a mandatory reporter subjects the offender to
criminal prosecution authorized by R.S. 14:403(A)(1).”10 La. Ch. C. art. 609(A)(2).
La. Ch. C. art. 610 addresses reporting procedure and states, in part:
A. (1) … Reports in which the abuse or neglect is believed to be perpetrated by someone other than a caretaker, a person who maintains an interpersonal dating or engagement relationship with the parent or caretaker, or a person living in the same residence with the parent or caretaker as a spouse whether married or not, and the caretaker is not believed to have any responsibility for the abuse or neglect shall be made immediately to a local or state law enforcement agency. Dual reporting to both the department and the local or state law enforcement agency is permitted.
Furthermore, La. Ch. C. art. 611(A)(1)(a) provides that “[n]o cause of action
shall exist against any” “[p]erson who in good faith makes a report, cooperates in
any investigation arising as a result of such report, or participates in judicial
proceedings authorized under the provisions” of the Louisiana Children’s Code.
9 See also La. R.S. 15:539 (providing that a school must report any allegation made by a student of the commission of a sexual offense to law enforcement).
10 La. R.S. 14:403 imposes penalties of fines or imprisonment upon failure to report the commission of rape and sexual abuse, and provides, in part:
A. (1)(a) Any person who, pursuant to Children's Code Article 609(A), is required to report the abuse or neglect of a child and knowingly and willfully fails to so report shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
(b)(i) Any person who, pursuant to Children's Code Article 609(A), is required to report the sexual abuse of a child, or the abuse or neglect of a child that results in the serious bodily injury, neurological impairment, or death of the child, and the person knowingly and willfully fails to so report, shall be fined not more than three thousand dollars, imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than three years, or both.
10
The immunity is not available to anyone who makes a report “known to be false or
with reckless disregard for the truth of the report.” La. Ch. C. art. 611(B)(2).
Plaintiffs do not allege in the petition which NOCCA employee or
administrator actually reported the allegation against Richard to the NOPD or the
DFCS. However, school and educational personnel, such as principals, teachers,
social workers, and staff members are mandatory reporters under La. Ch. C. art.
603. Therefore, NOCCA’s president, Kyle Wedberg; the director of student
services, Blake Coheley; and NOCCA social worker, Amy Alvarez, would qualify
as mandatory reporters.
Plaintiffs claim that neither NOCCA nor Lee Randall, the chairman of the
board of directors, is entitled to immunity. Plaintiff contends that NOCCA is a
state agency and not a person as defined in La. Ch. C. art. 603(23) because it is not
an individual, partnership, association, or a corporation. Plaintiffs also argue that
NOCCA is not a city or parish school as provided for in La. Ch. C. art. 603(23)
because La. R.S. 17:1970.23, the statute providing for NOCCA’s creation,
provides that it is “an agency of state government and shall be independent of the
control of the state superintendent and of all local and state education boards,
except the [NOCCA] board of directors.”
However, NOCCA seeks immunity as an educational institution which
provides teaching services to a child pursuant to La. Ch. C. art. 603(17). While
“state agencies,” such as NOCCA, are not statutorily designated as a person under
La. Ch. C. art. 603(23), it is not an exclusive list. Further, a person, which is
defined as “any individual, partnership, association, agency, or corporation” that
furnishes or assists in the teaching or supervision of children is a mandatory
reporter. La. Ch. C. art. 603(23) (emphasis added). As such, immunity would apply
11
to the entity of NOCCA as an operating school. Further, NOCCA and its board of
directors are “within the Department of Education.” See La. R.S. 36:651(D)(7)
(providing the “following agencies … shall be within the Department of Education
as provided in R.S. 36:801.1: * * * (8) The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts
and its board of directors (R.S. 17:1970.21 et seq.)”). Thus, while Lee Randall is
not a teacher or school administrator, as a member of NOCCA’s board of directors
in the child education business, he would likewise be immune from liability.
Accordingly, immunity for reporting suspected child abuse and/or the commission
of a sexual offense applies to all Defendants in this case. Thus, Defendants are
mandatory reporters eligible for immunity.
Immunity for a Mandatory Reporter
A mandatory reporter’s immunity is not absolute; however, it is qualified by
the good faith requirement. See La. Ch. C. art. 611(A)(1)(a),(B)(2)(immunizing
“good faith” reports of abuse and providing that immunity does not apply to
persons who make a report “known to be false” or “with reckless disregard for the
truth of the report”); Mitchell v. Villien, 2008-1470, pp. 18-19 (La. App. 4 Cir.
8/26/09), 19 So.3d 557, 570 (finding that medical provider who was subject to
mandatory reporting requirement for gunshot wounds presented for treatment
enjoyed a qualified or conditional privilege against civil liability when he reported
to police a suspected gunshot wound, if in good faith he had a subjective belief in
the accuracy of his report at the time).
Plaintiffs claim that the qualified immunity of a mandatory reporter
constitutes an affirmative defense and cannot be asserted on a peremptory
exception of no cause of action. Plaintiffs also argue a determination of whether
Defendants were in good faith in reporting the allegations of sexual misconduct
12
would require the evaluation of evidence, which is precluded on an exception of no
cause of action. We agree.
An affirmative defense is a defense that “raises a new matter, which
assuming the allegations in the petition are true, constitutes a defense to the
action.” Fin & Feather, LLC v. Plaquemines Par. Gov't, 2016-0256, pp. 6-7 (La.
App. 4 Cir. 9/28/16), 202 So.3d 1028, 1033 (citing Bienvenu v. Allstate Ins. Co.,
2001–2248, p. 5 (La. App. 4 Cir. 5/8/02), 819 So.2d 1077, 1080, Allvend, Inc. v.
Payphone Commissions Co., Inc., 2000–0661, p. 3 (La .App. 4 Cir. 5/23/01), 804
So.2d 27, 29). Louisiana jurisprudence has long established that an affirmative
defense may not form the basis of a peremptory exception when the asserted
defense goes to the merits of the case.11 Mouton v. Hebert's Superette, Inc., 2010
787, p. 5 (La. App. 3 Cir. 12/8/10), 53 So.3d 561, 564 (citing Marquis v. Cantu,
371 So.2d 1292, 1294 (La. App. 3 Cir. 1979); Alside Supply Co. v. Ramsey, 306
So.2d 762, 763 (La. App. 4 Cir. 1975); Weil v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 323
So.2d 524, 526 (La. App. 4 Cir. 1975)). Rather, as an affirmative defense, the issue
should be referred to the merits, and a motion for summary judgment is, therefore,
the proper procedure for addressing it prior to trial. Id. (citing Deshotel v.
Guichard Operating Co., Inc., 2003–3511, p. 2 (La. 12/17/04), 916 So.2d 72, 74).
Here, the immunity created by La. Ch. C. art. 611 functions to exempt Defendants
11 In Mouton v. Hebert's Superette, Inc., 2010-787, p. 4 (La. App. 3 Cir. 12/8/10), 53 So.3d 561, 564, the Third Circuit found that the corporate debtor’s claim of immunity for federal income tax withholding functioned as an affirmative defense and that the exception of no cause of action based on that immunity was procedurally improper. See also Zulli v. Coregis Insurance Co., 2005–155 (La. App. 5 Cir. 7/26/05), 910 So.2d 437 (finding that the tort immunity created by Louisiana’s Recreational Use Statutes constituted an affirmative defense); Brown v. Adair, 2002–2028, p. 5 (La. 4/9/03), 846 So.2d 687, 690) (the tort immunity created by workers’ compensation law is an affirmative defense because it “serves as a vehicle for asserting a substantive defense that defeats an otherwise viable claim”).
13
from liability provided that the report was made in good faith and thus operates as
an affirmative defense.
Additionally, in Bd. of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters Through
Juge v. Neyrey, 542 So.2d 56, 64 (La. App. 4 Cir. 1989), which Plaintiffs rely
upon, this Court found that the decision as to whether a party acted in good faith
for the purposes of immunity required consideration of evidence and thus was not
an issue properly raised or decided on exception of no cause of action.12 The Board
of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters had sought an injunction against an
individual to prohibit him from taking depositions. The defendant, Nick Neyrey,
filed a reconventional demand against the Board. The Board filed several
exceptions, including an exception of no cause of action based on its governmental
immunity, which the trial court granted.13 This Court found that while the Board
may have an “affirmative defense of good faith” to the reconventional claim, “a
decision as to the presence or absence of good faith cannot be made when ruling
upon an exception of no cause of action.” Id. at p. 62. The Neyrey Court then
reversed the trial court’s granting of the exception, stating, in relevant part:
Although the Board and its members may very well be able to prove the affirmative defense of good faith at the trial on the merits of this case, we cannot make a ruling on an exception of no cause of action as to whether such a defense has been proved.
12 Compare Dupre v. Louisiana State Bd. of Practical Nurse Examiners, unpub. 2006-1464, 2007 WL 7711506 (La. App. 4 Cir. 5/16/07) (stating that the exception of no cause of action is the most effective vehicle to defeat suits where an absolute immunity is pled).
13In granting the exception of no cause of action, the trial court stated:
[T]he actions taken by the Board were authorized by the law at the time, were in good faith, under color of legal authority and in furtherance of a legitimate state interest. Under these circumstances, the Board was entitled to the good faith defense to Neyrey's claim. The court also said that Neyrey could not remove the grounds for the exception of no cause of action by amending the pleadings.
Neyrey, 542 So.2d at 62.
14
* * *
[T]he Board and its members seek to assert an affirmative defense of good faith. However, determination of the presence or absence of good faith requires consideration of evidence. L[a]. [C.C.P. art.] 931 precludes consideration of evidence on an exception of no cause of action. Goldstein v. Serio, 496 So.2d 412 (La. App. 4[] Cir.1986)[.]14
Id. at 64.
Defendants counter it would be contrary to the intent of the immunity statute
to grant immunity to mandatory reporters but then require them to litigate the
claims that the immunity statute was enacted to prevent. Defendants cite S.G. v.
City of Monroe, 37,103, p. 8 (La. App. 2 Cir. 4/11/03), 843 So.2d 657, 662, which
stated that “the immunity afforded the mandatory reporters is meant to encourage
those with reasonable cause for suspicion to report suspected cases, free of the
chilling effect presented by the threat of lawsuits.” Significantly, the S.G. case was
decided on a motion for summary judgment, in which the parties presented
evidence regarding the good faith of the mandatory reporter; not on an exception of
no cause of action, which is based only on the allegations of the petition and no
evidence is admissible.
Defendants also claim that jurisprudence allows for immunity to be
addressed on an exception of no cause of action. In support of their position,
14 The Neyrey Court also reversed in part because the trial court “based its decision as to the presence of good faith on factors outside the pleadings.” Neyrey, 542 So.2d at 62. In addition, this Court remanded the case so that Neyrey had a chance to amend his reconventional demand:
Because the trial court incorrectly decided that the good faith defense had been established, Neyrey was apparently not given an opportunity to amend his reconventional demand. We are unable to presume at this time that Neyrey will not be able to allege sufficient facts to state a cause of action. Therefore, he must be given an opportunity to attempt to amend his reconventional demand to state a cause of action against the Board and its members.
Id. at 65.
15
Defendants rely upon Vincent v. Milligan, 2004-1207 (La. App. 1 Cir. 6/10/05),
916 So.2d 238.
In Vincent, a father filed suit against the state, a hospital, and physicians for
emotional distress after a physician made a report of suspected child abuse
following an examination of the father's daughter in the hospital. The state filed an
exception of no cause of action, claiming that the defendants were immune from
suit under La. Ch. C. art 611. The First Circuit acknowledged that certain classes
of individuals, including health practitioners, are mandated by statute to report
reasonably suspected child abuse or neglect to the proper authorities and that La.
Ch. C. art. 611 grants statutory immunity to those who in good faith report
suspected child abuse or neglect. The Vincent Court noted that while “questions
underlying claims of immunity are often better suited to motions for summary
judgment, which allow for the presentation of evidence, the legal issue of whether
immunity is applicable may be raised and reviewed through an exception of no
cause of action.” Vincent, 2004-1207, pp. 4-5, 916 So.2d at 241 (citing Lambert v.
Riverboat Gaming Enf't Div., 96-1856, pp. 6–7, n. 2, (La. App. 1 Cir. 12/29/97),
706 So.2d 172, 176; Jackson v. State ex rel. Dep't of Corr., 2000-2882, pp. 7-10
(La. 5/15/01), 785 So.2d 803, 808-10; Talbert v. Louisiana State Board of
Nursing, 2003–0258, pp. 3–4 (La. App. 1 Cir.12/31/03), 868 So.2d 729, 730–31).
The First Circuit further concluded that “good faith is presumed and the plaintiff
has the burden to allege the facts needed to defeat statutory immunity.” Vincent,
2004-1207, p. 6, 916 So.2d at 242. The Court ultimately found that the father failed
to state a cause of action against the state or the state’s employee (the physician,
who examined the father’s daughter and filed a report of suspected child abuse)
16
based on statutory immunity.15 The Vincent Court, however, found that the father
should be granted the opportunity to amend his petition to state a claim against the
physician to allege bad faith. The First Circuit thus affirmed the granting of the
exception of no cause of action and remanded the case for further proceedings.
The Vincent case can be distinguished from the instant case because it
allowed the petition to be amended to state a cause of action, whereas the trial
court in the present case dismissed Plaintiffs’ entire suit without giving them the
opportunity to amend. Moreover, while Vincent provides support for a
determination of immunity on an exception of no cause of action and noted that
good faith is presumed, it also recognizes that the issue of the immunity is more
appropriate on motions for summary judgment because it allows for the
presentation of evidence.16 Additionally, although good faith on part of Defendants
as mandatory reporters may be presumed, this presumption can be rebutted by
proof that Defendants falsely or recklessly alerted law enforcement. See La. Ch. C.
art. 611(B)(2) (providing that immunity for mandatory reporters “shall not be
15 The Vincent Court stated, in part:
[O]n the face of the petition, Dr. Milligan is protected by the immunity granted by Louisiana Children's Code article 611. He was a health care practitioner who made a good faith report of suspected child abuse based on a lab test showing the presence of sperm cells in a child's urine. Thus, Mr. Vincent's petition fails to state a cause of action for damage from the mandatory report made by Dr. Milligan. In the absence of liability on the part of the state's employees, the state is not vicariously liable.
Vincent, 2004-1207, pp. 6-7, 916 So.2d at 242–43.
16 See Mouton, 2010-787, p. 9, 53 So.3d at 567 (reversing the trial court’s judgment dismissing the plaintiff’s claims on “peremptory exceptions of immunity” and remanding to the trial court for consideration of the affirmative defenses asserted through the motions for summary judgment); Mitchell, 2008-1470, p. 20, 19 So.3d at 572 (reversing a denial a motion for summary judgment and finding there was no evidence to show that the doctor reported a suspected gunshot wound to the police in bad faith); S.G., 37,103, pp. 10-13, 843 So.2d 657, 663-664 (affirming the granting of a motion for summary judgment and finding that the doctor not make a report of suspected child abuse with reckless disregard for the truth).
17
extended to ... [a]ny person who makes a report known to be false or with reckless
disregard for the truth of the report”). Moreover, the conclusion reached in Vincent
is not binding on this Court whereas this Circuit in Neyrey explicitly held that
presence or absence of good faith for purposes of immunity from liability could not
be considered on an exception. Further, Defendants’ assertion of qualified
immunity as a mandatory reporter is an affirmative defense and as defense to the
merits of the case should not form the basis of an exception of no cause of action.
Although Defendants may be able to establish that they acted in good faith in its
mandatory reporting on a motion for summary judgment or at trial, as noted in
Neyrey, such a determination requires evidence and therefore cannot be reviewed
on an exception of no cause of action.17 Accordingly, the trial court erred in
considering the immunity of Defendants on the exception of no cause of action.
Plaintiffs also argue that Defendants’ immunity from liability under La. Ch.
C. art. 611 is only relevant to their defamation claims against them. Plaintiffs note
that in its reasons for judgment, the trial court found that all the allegations made
against Defendants arose from their mandatory reporting of the alleged incident,
and then dismissed all of Plaintiffs’ claims against Defendants. Plaintiffs argue that
even if Defendants are immune for defamation, it does not provide a defense to
their other acts and omissions, including their claims for conversion, deprivation of
constitutional rights, lack of adequate supervision/failure to protect against
17The petition for damages does allege that Defendants had no mandatory duty to report the incident to the authorities because the student accuser was eighteen years old. It further alleged that the student accuser was not credible due to her extensive psychiatric history, which was known to Defendants. These allegations do not necessarily demonstrate that Defendants knowingly made a false report or recklessly reported without regard to the truth, however, as discussed below, Plaintiffs should be given an opportunity to amend their petition to develop these facts, if they can, to establish bad faith on part of Defendants.
18
bullying; false light invasion of privacy; intentional infliction of emotional distress;
and loss of consortium.
Defendants contend that the trial court’s ruling that all the allegations made
against Defendants originate from their mandatory reporting duty is supported and
again claim that Plaintiffs’ argument that their immunity only applies to
defamation would defeat the purpose of the immunity statute, i.e., protecting
victims and ensuring that mandatory reporters are free to make their reports
without fear of repercussions of lawsuits. See S.G. 37,103, p. 8, 843 So.2d at 662.
We find, however, that Plaintiffs have in fact alleged claims that arise
separate and independent from Defendants’ reporting duty and thus would not
impinge on the objective of the immunity provisions. For example, Plaintiffs
alleged a cause of action against Defendants in their petition for conversion that
developed subsequent to Defendants’ reporting of the incident to authorities.18
“[C]onversion is an intentional tort and consists of an act in derogation of the
plaintiff's possessory rights.” Lusich v. Capital One, ACP, LLC, 2016-0052, p. 8
(La. App. 4 Cir. 8/31/16), 198 So.3d 1272, 1276–77 (quoting Melerine v.
O'Connor, 2013–1073, p. 5 (La. App. 4 Cir. 2/26/14), 135 So.3d 1198, 1203). “To
constitute a conversion, an intentional dispossession and/or exercise of dominion
or control over the property of another in denial of or inconsistent with the owner’s
rights must be established.” Id. In their petition, Plaintiffs claim that when
Defendants ordered Richard to leave school, they had in their custody Plaintiffs’
hard drive, data, and lighting equipment. Plaintiffs allege that despite repeated
18 Because we find that the exception of no cause of action was not the appropriate vehicle to consider the qualified immunity of a mandatory reporter, this opinion will not examine each claim that arises separate from Defendants’ reporting duty.
19
requests Defendants have failed to and refused to return these items. While
Defendants could have compelled Richard to leave NOCCA’s premises following
the accusations against him, Defendants’ continued possession and control over
Plaintiffs’ property is distinct from Defendants’ duty to report the allegations of the
student accuser. Additionally, Plaintiffs allege that Defendants remain in
possession of and refused to return their property as of the filing of the lawsuit.
Furthermore, all doubts regarding whether a petition sets forth a cause of action
should be resolved in favor of the plaintiff so as to afford litigants their day in
court. Zeitoun v. City of New Orleans, 2011-0479, p. 7 (La. App. 4 Cir. 12/7/11),
81 So.3d 66, 72. Plaintiffs’ petition thus states a cause of action for conversion and
the trial court erred in dismissing Plaintiffs’ entire lawsuit on the basis of
Defendants’ statutory immunity.
Assignment of Error No. 2: Opportunity to Amend the Petition
Plaintiffs argue that the trial court erred in granting the exception of no cause
of action without permitting Plaintiffs the opportunity to amend under La. C.C.P.
art. 934. We agree.
La. C.C.P. art. 934 provides that if the grounds of the objection raised
through a peremptory exception “may be removed by amendment of the petition,
the judgment sustaining the exception shall order such amendment within the delay
allowed by the court.” If the grounds of the objection “cannot be so removed, or if
the plaintiff fails to comply with the order to amend, the action, claim, demand,
issue, or theory shall be dismissed.” Id.
Our jurisprudence indicates that “[t]he right to amend a petition following
the sustaining of a peremptory exception is not absolute.” Hershberger v. LKM
20
Chinese, L.L.C., 2014-1079, p. 6 (La. App. 4 Cir. 5/20/15), 172 So.3d 140, 145.
“Amendment is not permitted when it would constitute a ‘vain and useless act.’ ”
Id. (quoting Smith v. State Farm Ins. Companies, 2003-1580, p. 6 (La. App. 4 Cir.
3/3/04), 869 So.2d 909, 913). However, this Court also has stated that “it is
mandatory that the trial judge permit an amendment of the pleadings when there is
a conceivable possibility that a cause of action may yet be stated by a
plaintiff.” Cooper v. Pub. Belt R.R., 2000-0378, p. 4 (La. App. 4 Cir. 12/20/00),
776 So.2d 639, 641.
As discussed above, mandatory reporters are not immune from lawsuit when
the report is false or made with reckless disregard for the truth. See La. Ch. C. art.
611(B)(2). Plaintiff did not specifically allege that Defendants acted in bad faith in
reporting the accusations against Defendants to the authorities. However, if the
grounds for exception can be removed by an amendment the Plaintiffs must be
allowed to do so. See La. C.C.P. art. 934. Like this Court stated in Neyrey, we are
“unable to presume at this time that [Plaintiffs] will not be able to allege sufficient
facts to state a cause of action.” Neyrey, 542 So.2d at 65; see also Vincent, 2004
1207, pp. 6-7, 916 So.2d at 242–43 (which affirmed the granting of an exception of
no cause of action but found that the plaintiff “should be afforded an opportunity to
amend his petition to remove the grounds for the exception, if he can, by alleging
specific facts that would support a claim that [the reporting physician] made the
report in bad faith”). Accordingly, Plaintiffs should have been given the
opportunity to amend their petition against Defendants in an attempt to cure the
grounds of the exception of no cause of action. Therefore, the trial court erred in
dismissing Plaintiffs’ suit without first giving them the chance to amend their
petition to state a cause of action against Defendants.
Outcome: The trial court erred in granting Defendants’ exception of no cause of action.
Although Louisiana law requires the mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse
and/or the allegations of sexual misconduct and grants immunity from liability for
those whom provide teaching services and report in good faith, a decision as to
whether Defendants acted in good faith in reporting the accusations against
Richard is an affirmative defense, involves the consideration of evidence, and
therefore was not appropriate on an exception of no cause of action. Additionally,
Plaintiffs have alleged causes of action against Defendants that arise separate from their reporting duty and the trial court erred in dismissing the entire petition based on Defendants’ immunity. Accordingly, the trial court erred in granting theexception of no cause of action.
For these reasons and the reasons stated above, we reverse the trial court
judgment granting the exception of no cause of action filed by Defendants and
remand the case to the trial court in order to allow Plaintiffs to amend their petition to state a cause of action and for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
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