JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A mother is suing the man, the property management companies, and the landscaping company she says is responsible for the sexual assault of her 12-year-old daughter.
The victim’s mother said, “My daughter is now a victim of abuse because basic safeguards were not put in place.”
She is seeking justice for her child and accountability from those involved.
A lawsuit filed late last year is now public. The mother, on behalf of her daughter, is suing Randy Maurice Foster, Kernan Owner LLC, Bryten Real Estate Partners, Asset Living, and D.M. Koehn Landscaping.
The victim lived with her family at the Mirage on Kernan apartment complex. The lawsuit claims Foster was employed by the landscaping company that worked for the complex. It also says Foster is a registered sex offender with an extensive violent criminal history, and that the defendants failed to conduct adequate background checks on him.
Adam Finkel, the victim’s attorney, said, “A monster like that did exactly what everybody would expect. He preyed upon a child. He groomed and repeatedly sexually assaulted a 12-year-old girl, a child, our client.”
The victim’s mother declined to be shown on camera or have her name published but shared that driving past the property is a painful reminder of what happened.
She said, “No other family should have to learn that their child’s safety was compromised because someone failed to do what was required. No child should lose their sense of safety because shortcuts were taken.”
Before a news conference announcing the lawsuit, the News4JAX called the apartment complex but was hung up on before we could get further information.
A property manager, who declined to go on camera, said the property management company currently managing the property took over more than a year ago and is not one of the companies named in the lawsuit.
The landscaping company involved is permanently closed, and calls to its listed phone number went unanswered.
Messages seeking comment were sent to Bryten Real Estate, the company linked to Kernan Owner LLC, and Foster’s attorney. No responses have been received. Attorneys for the victim say the property management companies have been non-responsive.
Belkis Plata, another attorney for the victim, said, “Justice, in this case, is holding the individuals who are a part of this accountable both in the criminal justice system and in the civil courtroom.”
Foster is currently in jail facing criminal charges related to this case. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for March 5.