The Norman Transcript

Government

Discussion

March 1, 2013

Settlement made in ‘Precious Doe’ federal lawsuit

Transcipt Staff The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — The parties to a federal lawsuit arising from the brutal killing in 2001 of the child known as “Precious Doe” have announced a settlement.

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections, OU Medical Center and the Oklahoma Department of Human Services have agreed to adopt new procedures to ensure that babies born to mothers in prison will be referred to DHS to plan for the safe placement of the newborn before the baby leaves the hospital.

Erica Michelle Marie Green was born in May 1997 at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center to a mother incarcerated in an Oklahoma prison. Erica’s biological father, Larry Green, also was incarcerated.

At the time of her birth, no procedures were in place for either DOC or OU Medical Center to provide notification to DHS to connect with the incarcerated mother to assist in planning for the safe placement of the newborn.

After Erica was born, she was given to a family acquaintance. The family friend later gave Erica to her mother, Michelle Johnson, after Johnson was released from prison.

Erica became known as “Precious Doe” after Johnson’s then-boyfriend, Harrell Johnson, murdered Erica, who was 3-years-old, and buried her body in a park in Kansas City. Michelle and Harrell Johnson were convicted for Erica’s murder and are still in prison.

Under the settlement agreement, DOC has agreed to notify DHS before a baby is born to an incarcerated mother. DHS will then be able to interact with the incarcerated mother regarding placement planning for the newborn, including — when the circumstances warrant — supervision of the placement and reunification of the child with the mother.

DHS will refer to the new procedures as “Erica’s Rule.”

The suit was brought by Erica’s father, Larry Green.

Green’s lawyers, Paul DeMuro and Sarah Poston, of Frederic Dorwart Lawyers, praised the settlement.

The settlement also included an undisclosed monetary payment to Green.

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Government
  • May rainfall below needed levels in state

    Norman residents looking for dry days to mow yards may think spring rains are coming frequently, but experts say those rains are less than central Oklahoma needs to pull itself out of the three-year-long drought. Lake Thunderbird’s ...

    May 19, 2013

  • Sixth annual Youth Soccer Camp starts this month

    The sixth annual Youth Soccer Camp at the Whittier Recreation Center runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 29 through June 31 for ages 6-12. All camps are co-ed. The deadline to sign up is Thursday....

    May 19, 2013

  • City water customer says site identifying high water users is misleading

    A social media website identifying Norman residents as high water users is factually misleading, according to one Norman homeowner who made the list....

    May 17, 2013

  • New room for new judge

    Cleveland County officials are reeling with excitement over the possibility of getting a new judge, but some modifications will have to be made at the courthouse. Fortunately, a courtroom is available....

    May 16, 2013

  • City plans to shore up Rainy Day Fund

    A request from McKinley Elementary for help funding a small section of road along the school’s west side will be put back into the proposed 2013 budget, Norman City Council members decided at Wednesday’s Finance Committee meeting. Council ...

    May 16, 2013

  • Treasurer and staff honored

    Cleveland County Treasurer Jim Reynolds and six deputy treasurers were honored at the County Treasurer’s Association of Oklahoma’s Annual School, recently hosted in Norman. The seven received certificates for completing various levels of ...

    May 16, 2013

  • Legislation prevents use of welfare for strip clubs and liquor

    Gov. Mary Fallin has signed legislation that would prohibit the use of welfare cash cards in strip clubs, liquor stores and casinos. Authored by Sen. Rob Standridge, Senate Bill 667 would help ensure public assistance is ultimately being ...

    May 16, 2013

  • Sen. Inhofe secures water infrastructure victory

    U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, voted Wednesday in favor of S. 601, the Water Resources Development Act of 2013, which passed the Senate by a vote of 83-14. The bill ...

    May 16, 2013

  • Vote on high-density rezoning request postponed for fifth time

    Once again, a controversial high-density zoning project on Asp Avenue in Campus Corner was postponed at city hall Tuesday night. Norman residents who have showed up five times now said they are frustrated that the city council continues ...

    May 15, 2013

  • Water district still struggling to progress

    The Cleveland County Rural Water Board is still wading through bureaucratic red tape, hoping to meet target deadlines required to keep some of the grants expected to fund the infrastructure and drilling costs of the new district. It’s ...

    May 14, 2013