Pubdate: Tue, 18 Jul 2006
Source: Portsmouth Herald (NH)
Copyright: 2006 Seacoast Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/index.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1157
Author: Deborah McDermott
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

PARENTS OF VICTIM FILE LAWSUIT

Roxanne and Barry Fritz, whose daughter Bethany died of a heroin 
overdose in June 2004, have filed a lawsuit in York County Superior 
Court against a family in whose home Bethany spent the day before her death.

The Fritzes allege Amanda Corey, a friend with whom Bethany was 
staying on the night of June 26, 2004, and parents Cynthia and Eugene 
Corey acted in a "careless and negligent" manner, leading to Bethany's death.

According to the lawsuit, Bethany, 17, spent that night at the 
Coreys' with Amanda, also 17. According to criminal documents filed 
in connection with the case against Bethany's boyfriend, Scott 
Fisher, Fisher gave Bethany heroin that resulted in her death. Fisher 
was sentenced in connection with those charges on Monday.

On the morning of June 27, 2004, Amanda allegedly tried to wake 
Bethany, who was "unresponsive, and her lips were blue," the suit states.

Amanda tried "unsuccessfully several times over the next 4 to 5 hours 
to awaken Bethany Fritz, who moaned but did not fully wake," the suit 
states. At no time did Amanda take steps to get medical treatment for 
their daughter, the Fritzes allege.

They also allege Amanda Corey's parents were in the home the entire day.

Bethany didn't get help until 3 p.m., when two other friends arrived 
at the Coreys' and found her unconscious, the suit states. She died that day.

Cynthia and Eugene Corey "had the responsibility to act  in loco 
parentis' to Bethany and it was their duty to ensure suitable 
supervision was provided during her stay at their residence to ensure 
that she was not harmed," the suit states.

The couple "knew or should have known that she (Bethany) was using 
alcohol and drugs in their house" and that she was unconscious 
throughout the day on June 27 and needed medical attention.

The Fritzes are seeking an unspecified amount of damages from the 
three defendants.

A call placed to the Corey household was not returned by deadline. 
Their attorney, Jim Martemucci of Portland, also did not return a phone call.
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