A Missouri man who had a “severe risk of choking without proper supervision” due to a rare disability was given a turkey burger and fries by a caregiver who left the room and then returned — telling him, “go throw it up” — as he started to choke, a lawsuit says.
James Showmaker, 57, of St. Louis, was left brain dead as a result of the “terrifying and painful” ordeal and was taken off life support three days later by his sister and family, who are now suing the caregiver, Tara Whitehead, and the Easterseals facility he was staying at in June 2025, according to their legal petition.
“James never should have died in this way,” the petition says. “His ISP (Individual Service Plan) clearly spells out that he should be monitored during eating to confirm he is counting to 20 between bites. Tara Whitehead admitted she did not do that.”…