Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Lawsuit Over Car Crash That Killed Two Foster Kids
By
Ben Muessig
Published Jan 21, 2010
Modified Jan 21, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Muessig
Published Jan 21, 2010
Modified Jan 21, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A Queens mother is suing the city because her daughter was killed by a drug-addled driver when she was supposed to be in foster care. Algerlin Willis announced on Wednesday that she intends to file a $10 million suit against the Administration for Children's Services and Little Flower Children's Services of New York for the October death of her 15-year-old daughter, Katherine, who perished when a woman who had smoked crack, used heroin, and drank alcohol earlier in the day drove a van full of foster children into oncoming traffic.
According to the Daily News, Willis contends the city was "negligent, careless and reckless" in placing Katherine in the care of foster parent Genevieve Bethea, 61, who allowed her 45-year-old daughter Sheila Bethea to drive the kids in an uninsured van without making them wear seatbelts. Bethea — who has a long record of drug arrests and a drunk driving conviction — is facing manslaughter, assault, and child endangerment charges after reportedly telling cops she used drugs and drank alcohol before the crash (she also allegedly hid a crack pipe in a body cavity after the accident).
"Five foster kids without safety belts in an uninsured minivan — that's horrifying," said Mark Jay Heller, a lawyer for Willis. "Now we have to look at this case as a catalyst for changing the foster care field." The lawyer said Willis, who suffers from various disabilities, had put her daughter in foster care for most of her life because "[i]t was just more than she could handle."
Tagged
alcohol
algerlin willis
car crash
crack
driving
drugs
dui
dwi
foster care
foster children
Genevieve Bethea
heroin
katherine willis
Sheila Bethea
Ben Muessig
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY Archdiocese will soon settle $800M clergy sexual abuse claims
The deal would compensate over 1,300 alleged victims and help the church avoid bankruptcy.
By
Arya Sundaram
Published Oct 24, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.
By
Arya Sundaram
Peepapalooza: NYC is heading to the Hudson Valley to watch the leaves
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
Sean Carlson
NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
3 slates vying to run Jersey City school board as city stares down major tax hikes
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .