Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District / Mar 15, 2022
Judy Conway, et al. vs. Rebecca Caldwell, et al.
Appellants, relatives of a child who died from abuse, sued Missouri Department of Social Services employees for negligence, alleging they failed to protect the child. The trial court granted judgment on the pleadings, finding the employees protected by official immunity. The appellate court affirmed, holding that the employees' actions in investigating abuse and determining subsequent steps were discretionary, not ministerial, and thus covered by official immunity. The court also found no abuse of discretion in denying leave to amend the petition.