Howard County man files suit in son's death

April 6, 2011

Daystar Residential Treatment Center, Houston Chronicle photo

A Howard County man has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Daystar Residential Treatment Center in Manvel amid claims his teenage son was restrained and later died at the facility, which was already under heavy scrutiny from the state.

Michael Owens, 16, was pronounced dead at a Houston hospital Nov. 5, 2010, after struggling with staff members at the residential treatment center, where the boy had been a patient since March 2010.

The lawsuit was filed by the boy's father, Wesley Owens, and Gwyneda Seymour in 23rd District Court in Brazoria County. The suit names the defendants as Shiloh Treatment Center Inc., Daystar Residential Inc., Behavior Training Research Inc., C&E Investments Inc. and HHH Community Service Inc.

Owens is being represented by Dallas attorney Keith Purdue, while Seymour is being represented by Colorado City attorney Jeanie Fuller.
Michael Owens had been in state foster care since 2008.