Karreon Adams-Franks $49.33 Million Settlement, Washington State and Evergreen Public Schools Resolve Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The State of Washington (through the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)) and Evergreen Public Schools have agreed to a reported $49.33 million settlement of a wrongful-death lawsuit over the November 2020 starvation death of Karreon Adams-Franks, a 15-year-old Vancouver, Washington student who was autistic, nonverbal and legally blind. The settlement resolves claims brought for his estate and his two surviving younger brothers. The family’s attorneys announced it on October 13, 2026, shortly before a trial that had been set for October 12.

There is no public claim form, fund or deadline. This is an individual civil settlement, not a class action or a compensation program for other families. Court records can be checked through the Washington Courts case-search system and the Clark County Clerk: https://clark.wa.gov/clerk

Independent publisher notice: AllAboutLawyer.com is an independent legal information website. We are not a law firm, we do not represent any party, and we do not administer settlement funds. Allegations described below were made in a lawsuit and are not court findings against the defendants. This article discusses child abuse and death.

Quick Facts: Karreon Adams-Franks Settlement

Item	Details
Official court records	Clark County Clerk and Washington Courts case search: https://clark.wa.gov/clerk
Claim form / public fund	None. Individual wrongful-death settlement
Reported total	$49.33 million (one outlet reports $49.34 million)
Reported split	Roughly $25 million from the State and about $24.3 million from Evergreen Public Schools, per plaintiffs’ counsel as reported by news outlets
Who pays for the district	Evergreen Public Schools says its portion is paid by its insurer
Defendants	State of Washington (DCYF and DSHS) and Evergreen Public Schools
Plaintiffs	Estate of Karreon Adams-Franks and his two surviving younger brothers
Court	Superior Court of Washington for Clark County
Case number	24-2-02739-06, as identified by plaintiffs’ counsel
Date of death	November 27, 2020, age 15
Trial date before settlement	October 12, 2026
Announced	October 13, 2026, by Davis Law Group
Admission of liability	None verified. Evergreen Public Schools maintained that no staff member failed to make a mandatory report. DCYF declined to comment
Criminal case	Adoptive parents Felicia Adams and Jesse Franks convicted in 2023; sentenced to 35 and 30 years; convictions and sentences affirmed March 24, 2026

What Happened to Karreon Adams-Franks

Karreon, who weighed 61 pounds when he died, was adopted along with his two younger brothers in 2012 by his biological aunt, Felicia Adams, who was married to Jesse Franks. The criminal case record describes worsening food restrictions, with food sometimes withheld as punishment. Adams was convicted of homicide by abuse and two counts of criminal mistreatment involving the younger boys. Franks was also convicted. The criminal cases are separate from this civil lawsuit, and a conviction of caregivers does not by itself establish that a government agency or school is liable.

What the Lawsuit Alleged

Against the State (DCYF and DSHS):

• DCYF received reports as early as 2017 that the caregivers were withholding food from the three boys as punishment, and did not act effectively.
• On or about November 20, 2020, a relative reported that Karreon looked like “a walking skeleton.” A DCYF social worker visited the home the next day, noted he was very skinny, but did not obtain medical care or remove the children. Karreon died six days later.

Against Evergreen Public Schools:

• Staff at Shahala Middle School and Mountain View High School allegedly documented concerns about the boys for years but did not report them properly, and the district allegedly failed to train staff on reporting abuse.
• The claims also allege that after a complaint, teachers told the caregiver and the boy was beaten in retaliation.

The district’s response: Evergreen Public Schools said none of its staff failed to make a mandatory report, said employees are trained on reporting duties, and said it hopes the settlement allows the brothers to “continue healing without the burden of enduring a trial.” The state declined to comment.

These are allegations. The case settled before trial, so no jury decided them.

Washington Laws Involved

Mandatory reporting: RCW 26.44.030. Designated professionals, including school personnel and DCYF and DSHS employees, must report when they have reasonable cause to believe a child has suffered abuse or neglect. The report is generally required at the first opportunity and within 48 hours. The standard is reasonable cause, not proof. Under RCW 26.44.080, knowingly failing to report is a gross misdemeanor. RCW 26.44.060 gives good-faith reporters immunity from liability for making a report.

Duty to investigate: RCW 26.44.050. When DCYF receives a report of abuse or neglect, it must investigate and may take action to protect the child. Washington courts have recognized a negligent-investigation claim against the State where a negligent investigation leads to a child being placed in or left in harmful circumstances, as in Tyner v. DSHS (2000) and Roberson v. Perez (2005). The claim is narrow and fact-dependent.

Government liability: RCW 4.92.090. The State is liable for tortious conduct to the same extent as a private person or corporation.

Claim-filing rules: RCW 4.92.100 and 4.92.110 (State), RCW 4.96.020 (local governments such as school districts). A claim must generally be presented first, with a 60-day waiting period before suit.

Wrongful death and survival: RCW 4.20.010, 4.20.020 and 4.20.046. A personal representative can bring a wrongful-death action for statutory beneficiaries, and the estate can pursue claims the deceased could have brought. RCW 4.24.010 allows certain parents or guardians to recover for the injury or death of a child.

Allocation of fault: RCW 4.22.070. Washington apportions fault among responsible parties, which affects how much each defendant pays and is a common reason defendants settle separately.

Statute of limitations: RCW 4.16.080(2) and RCW 4.16.190. Personal-injury and wrongful-death claims generally must be brought within three years, with tolling for minors in some circumstances.

Settlements for minors: Washington Superior Court Special Proceedings Rule 98.16W. Settlements of claims of minors or incapacitated persons generally require court approval, including review of fees and how funds are held. This is relevant because Karreon’s brothers are minors.

Federal law. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. § 5106a) conditions federal funding on state child-abuse reporting and response systems but does not itself create a private damages claim. Federal civil-rights claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 against child-welfare workers face significant limits, including DeShaney v. Winnebago County (1989), which generally holds the Constitution does not require the State to protect children from private violence. Because of these limits, families usually pursue state-law negligence claims.

Does the Settlement Mean the State or District Admitted Fault?

No admission has been verified. A settlement resolves a dispute without a court finding on every claim. Parties settle for many reasons, including risk, cost and avoiding trial. The amount alone does not show what each defendant admitted or denied, and the full settlement agreement has not been made public in the sources reviewed.

Related article: Kohler PureWash M250 Putative Class Action Alleges Bidet Seats Leak Around the Control Handle

How Will the Money Be Divided?

The total is reported as one recovery for the estate and the two brothers. Allocation among them, legal fees and any trust or structured arrangements have not been publicly detailed. Because two of the plaintiffs are minors, court approval under SPR 98.16W is generally required, and funds for minors are often placed in protected accounts or trusts. Do not assume the money will be split equally or paid out in a lump sum.

Can Other Families Claim Money From This Settlement?

No. It resolves only the claims in this lawsuit. Other families would have to evaluate their own facts, the proper defendants and deadlines, and, for claims against the State or a school district, the claim-filing and waiting-period rules.

Are the Settlement Proceeds Taxable?

Under Internal Revenue Code § 104(a)(2), damages received on account of personal physical injuries or physical sickness, including wrongful-death recoveries, are generally excluded from federal gross income. Interest and punitive damages generally are not. Tax and benefits consequences (for example, effects on public benefits for a person with a disability) depend on the facts, so the plaintiffs and others should consult a qualified professional.

If You Suspect Child Abuse or Neglect

1. Immediate danger: call 911.
2. Report suspected abuse: in Washington, call the DCYF child abuse and neglect hotline (1-866-363-4276) or law enforcement. You do not need proof, only reasonable cause.
3. Mandated reporters: school staff, health professionals and other designated people must report within 48 hours under RCW 26.44.030.
4. Keep records: dates, reports, messages and school or medical communications, where lawfully available.
5. Legal claims: a claim against the State or a school district has special notice and timing rules, so consult a Washington attorney promptly.

Key Dates

Date	Event
2012	Felicia Adams adopts Karreon and his two younger brothers
2017	Alleged first DCYF reports about withholding of food
About November 20–21, 2020	Relative reports Karreon looks like “a walking skeleton”; social worker visits the next day
November 27, 2020	Karreon Adams-Franks dies at age 15
2023	Felicia Adams and Jesse Franks convicted; sentenced to 35 and 30 years
March 24, 2026	Washington Court of Appeals affirms the convictions and sentence in the Adams case
October 12, 2026	Civil trial had been scheduled
October 13, 2026	Davis Law Group announces the settlement

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the settlement?

 $49.33 million, reported as about $25 million from the State and about $24.3 million from Evergreen Public Schools. One outlet reports $49.34 million.

Who receives the money?

 The estate of Karreon Adams-Franks and his two surviving brothers. The allocation has not been publicly detailed.

Who is paying?

 The State of Washington and Evergreen Public Schools, whose share is paid by its insurer.

Did Washington or Evergreen admit wrongdoing? 

No admission has been verified. The district said none of its staff failed to report, and DCYF declined to comment.

What does Washington law require of teachers?

 Under RCW 26.44.030, school personnel must report suspected abuse or neglect when they have reasonable cause to believe it occurred, within 48 hours.

Can other families file claims? 

No public claim process exists. Other families must evaluate their own legal claims.

Were the adoptive parents convicted?

 Yes. In 2023, Felicia Adams and Jesse Franks were convicted. They were sentenced to 35 and 30 years, and the Court of Appeals affirmed in March 2026.

Where can I verify the case?

 Use the Washington Courts case search and the Clark County Clerk. Plaintiffs’ counsel gives case number 24-2-02739-06.

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Sources

1. Davis Law Group, P.S., settlement announcement: https://www.injurytriallawyer.com/blog/news/49-million-settlement-karreon-franks/
2. The Columbian, “Evergreen Public Schools, state reach $49.34 million settlement in lawsuit over Vancouver child’s starvation death” (October 13, 2026): https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/oct/13/evergreen-public-schools-state-reach-49-34-million-settlement-in-lawsuit-over-vancouver-childs-starvation-death/
3. OPB, “$49 million settlement reached in wrongful death lawsuit of Vancouver teen” (October 13, 2026): https://www.opb.org/article/2026/10/13/49-million-settlement-reached-in-wrongful-death-of-vancouver-teen/
4. KPTV, “State, Evergreen schools pay $49M in teen starvation death” (October 14, 2026): https://www.kptv.com/2026/10/14/walking-skeleton-state-schools-pay-49m-blind-autistic-teens-death-vancouver/
5. KING, “Family settles lawsuit for nearly $50 million over teen’s alleged starvation death” (October 14, 2026): https://www.wlbt.com/2026/10/14/family-settles-lawsuit-nearly-50-million-over-teens-alleged-starvation-death/
6. KOIN, “Washington agencies, EPS pay $49M in settlement over Vancouver teen’s starvation death”: https://www.koin.com/local/clark-county/washington-agencies-eps-pay-49m-in-settlement-over-vancouver-teens-starvation-death/
7. Washington Court of Appeals, State v. Felicia Louise Adams, No. 59082-4-II (opinion filed March 24, 2026; correction order April 7, 2026): https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf/D2%2059082-4-II%20Unpublished%20Order.pdf
8. Clark County Clerk, court-record information: https://clark.wa.gov/clerk
9. Revised Code of Washington: RCW 4.16.080, 4.16.190, 4.20.010, 4.20.020, 4.20.046, 4.22.070, 4.24.010, 4.92.090, 4.92.100, 4.92.110, 4.96.020, 26.44.030, 26.44.050, 26.44.060, 26.44.080: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/
10. Washington Superior Court Special Proceedings Rule 98.16W
11. Tyner v. DSHS, 141 Wn.2d 68 (2000); Roberson v. Perez, 156 Wn.2d 33 (2005); DeShaney v. Winnebago County DSS, 489 U.S. 189 (1989)
12. 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983, 5106a; Internal Revenue Code § 104(a)(2)

Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information, not legal advice. Allegations against government agencies and school personnel are not judicial findings unless stated in a court record.