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Florida Church Hit with $15M Verdict For Wrongful Death Caused By Negligent Administration of Unsafe Substances
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Nishica Srivastava
July 19, 2024
Begley, John Paul vs. Soul Quest Church of Mother Earth Inc et al
On May 15, 2024, the Florida jury returned a $15,048,526.25 verdict in favor of the Estate of Brandon Kyle Begley. The negligence lawsuit arose due to his wrongful death caused by the consumption of unsafe substances during a weekend retreat organized by Soul Quest Church of Mother Earth Inc.Case Background
On March 25, 2020, John Paul Begley filed a lawsuit alleging negligence for the wrongful death of his son before the Florida State, Orange County, Ninth Circuit Court. Judge Eric J Netcher presided over this case. [Case number: 2020-CA-003387-O]Cause
On July 13, 2016, Christopher Young and Verena Young founded the Defendant Church. The Church offered weekend retreats, providing ayahuasca, Kambô, rapé, and accommodations in exchange for payment. Participants had to become Church members and pay membership fees.On Sunday, March 19, 2021, Brandon Kyle Begley registered for a retreat from March 30, 2018, to April 1, 2018. He arrived at the Church’s establishment in Orlando, Florida, on March 30, 2018, and joined the Church. That weekend, no medical physician was present to monitor participants. On Friday, Brandon paid $350 for two ayahuasca sessions.
Ayahuasca, containing high levels of DMT, caused hallucinations. Despite a DEA notice on August 22, 2016, that providing ayahuasca was illegal, the Church continued its use. On Friday and Saturday, Brandon consumed ayahuasca, experiencing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea without medical supervision.
On Sunday, Brandon paid $150 for a Kambô session. The Defendant burned three holes into his upper left arm and administered the toxin. They burned a fourth hole and administered more toxins. Post-session, Brandon experienced severe pain and an altered mental state, exacerbated by dehydration.
The Defendant knew Brandon drank water before and after the session but did not monitor or restrict his intake. Concerned staff alerted Christophe
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Tags
negligence
loss of consortium
Wrongful Death
wrongful death