Oklahoma To Pay Over Death Of Kelsey Smith-Briggs

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The state is paying $525,000 and a private agency $100,000 to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit over the murder of 2-year-old Kelsey Smith-Briggs.

The girl died October 11, 2005, at her home near Meeker in what became a high-profile case after the Department of Human Services was found to have made a series of mistakes in the abused child's case.

Kelsey's mother -- Raye Dawn Smith -- was convicted of enabling child abuse and was sentenced to 27 years in prison. Stepfather Michael Lee Porter is serving 30 years after pleading guilty to enabling child abuse.

The lawsuit was filed by Kelsey's father, Lance Briggs of Shawnee.

The $100,000 is being paid by Eastern Oklahoma Youth Services which was under contract with DHS and had a worker repeatedly check on Kelsey.

6/20/2007 Related story: Judge In Kelsey Smith-Briggs Case To Speak