**Court of Appeals Decision in Bruns v. Adlard: Partial Reversal and Remand**
In a recent decision by the Ohio First District Court of Appeals, the court partially affirmed and partially reversed a trial court’s summary judgment in the case of Anthony J. Bruns, acting as guardian for Caroline Sue Bruns, and Janet Franz against Carole Adlard and Healthy Visions (formerly Adoption Option, Inc.). The plaintiffs had brought claims against the defendants for conversion, intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED), conspiracy, and unjust enrichment.
The appellate court found that there were genuine issues of material fact regarding Anthony’s conversion claim against Carole Adlard concerning cash allegedly taken from Caroline Sue Bruns’s bedroom. This claim will be remanded for further proceedings. However, the court upheld the summary judgment on other conversion claims related to ownership interests in an LLC and personal property items.
The court also partially sustained the conspiracy claim related to the alleged conversion of money but dismissed other parts of this claim. Additionally, it affirmed the trial court’s decision on dismissing claims for unjust enrichment due to lack of evidence showing Healthy Visions received or retained money from Sue without intent.
Regarding IIED claims, the appellate court found sufficient evidence suggesting that Carole Adlard might have exerted psychological influence over Sue causing serious emotional distress, thus reversing this part of the trial court’s judgment.
Overall, while some claims were sent back for further consideration, others were definitively resolved in favor of the defendants.
Source: C240636_Bruns_v_Adlard_Opinion_Ohio_Court_of_Appeals.pdf
