Among the lawsuit’s claims is that store security and police were repeatedly told by family that Jodi was “special needs,” but failed to treat her accordingly and instead traumatized her when she didn’t have the mental capacity to understand what was going on.
Jodi just wants an apology — and a bouquet of flowers. That’s what apologetic people do in the movies, she told her parents.
The parents want an apology, too, along with unspecified financial damages and assurance that police and store security follow proper procedures when dealing with disabled people.
The Kozmas filed their lawsuit in May in Wayne County Circuit Court, but Wal-Mart requested on June 9 that the case be moved to federal court. Initially, the Kozmas filed a citizen’s complaint with the Livonia police department, alleging officers used excessive force on their daughter and were unprofessional. They filed it the same day of the incident: Aug. 3, 2012.