Jury Awards $130 Million to Estate of Sarai Brooks in Wrongful Death Case Against State, Daycare, According to Dealie Law Group

The verdict represents the largest of its type in Washington state history

TACOMA, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A Pierce County jury has returned a $130 million verdict in favor of the Estate of Sarai Brooks, finding that the State of Washington and a South Hill daycare failed to protect the 2-year-old girl from prolonged abuse that led to her death.

The lawsuit brought by the estate’s personal representative alleged that both the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and Love and Laughter Learning Centers, Inc., ignored clear warning signs of abuse and failed to take basic steps that would have saved Sarai’s life.

Sarai died on March 11, 2022, after suffering extensive injuries consistent with repeated, escalating abuse attributed to Augustino Maile, the boyfriend of Sarai’s mother. The Pierce County Medical Examiner determined her death resulted from blunt force trauma to the head and documented a history of injuries to the child that point to a history of prolonged abuse.

Augustino Maile was previously found guilty for his role in Brooks’ death and sentenced to 16 years in prison. Brooks’ mother, Jharmaine Baker, was sentenced to six years in prison.

Following a five-week trial, the jury found that systemic failures across both the child welfare system and the daycare directly contributed to Sarai’s death. The jury apportioned liability between the State of Washington and the day care center.

“This verdict gives Sarai a voice,” said Ray Dearie of Dearie Law Group, which represented the family. “The jury had the very difficult burden of hearing in graphic detail exactly what Sarai endured, and how many opportunities there were to save her.”

Evidence presented at trial showed that DCYF returned Sarai to a home where her abuser remained present despite a court order prohibiting contact, then failed to follow up on repeated warning signs, including missed daycare attendance and visible injuries.

Court documents also show that staff at the Love and Laughter Learning Center daycare observed visible injuries, including a black eye and other concerning marks, but failed to report them to authorities as required by law.

“The most painful part of this case is how profoundly preventable it was,” Dearie said. “All it took to save this child’s life was for one person to do their job: a call to a social worker, a report from a mandated reporter, or any attempt at follow-up by the state. Any one of those actions could have saved Sarai’s life.”

The case drew attention to broader systemic issues within Washington’s child welfare system, including high staff turnover, missed warning signs, and breakdowns in communication among agencies responsible for protecting vulnerable children.

According to the complaint, Sarai had previously been removed from her home due to abuse but was later returned under state supervision despite ongoing risks.

“Sarai did not have a voice while this was happening to her,” Dearie said. “This jury made sure she has one now and made clear that when institutions fail children like this, there must be accountability.”

The case is Estate of Sarai J. Brooks v. State of Washington, et al., Pierce County Superior Court No. 24-2-12689-4.