The family of a Washington state girl who committed suicide while under 24-hour supervision has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the hospital, which fired 15 nurses over media coverage of the tragedy.
According to the lawsuit reviewed by Law&Crime, 12-year-old Sarah June Niyimbona began experiencing severe depression symptoms in September 2024.
Her mother, Nasra Gertrude, sought medical attention for Sarah, and in January, the 12-year-old was admitted to Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital in Spokane, Washington, for “inpatient psychiatric services related to her depression, self-harm, and suicide attempts.”
Her care included 24-hour supervision by medical personnel “to keep her safe from self-harm and suicide.” According to the lawsuit, the hospital removed the employee in charge of Sarah’s care as well as the video monitoring equipment from her hospital room.
On April 13, Sarah managed to leave her room and “walk freely” around the hospital. She eventually walked to the fourth floor of the hospital’s parking garage and jumped off.
According to the lawsuit, Sarah’s injuries were ultimately fatal, but she did not die on impact and sustained “catastrophic lower extremity injuries.” Sarah “experienced fear, pain, and suffering” in her final moments, as the hospital attempted but failed to save her life.
The lawsuit claims that the hospital and the employees in charge of Sarah’s care were negligent and directly responsible for her death.
Months after Sarah’s death, The Spokesman-Review reported on August 8 that 15 nurses at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital had been fired; another employee had been disciplined.
According to the paper, the nurses were fired because they violated HIPAA laws by accessing the girl’s private medical records following her death.
In response, the Washington State Nurses Association filed a grievance on behalf of the nurses, alleging that the terminations were retaliation for the nurses’ statements to the media following Sarah’s death.
A WSNA spokesperson also stated that following the tragedy, the nurses were “responding to a crisis” and gathering information about Sarah’s case.
According to WSNA Director David Keepnews, the nurses were “called in to assist with care and provide information related to a patient’s treatment” during a crisis.
He continued: “We reject Providence Sacred Heart’s claims that privacy was violated by nurses who were doing their jobs to assist in efforts to save the life of a 12-year-old girl in the hospital’s care.”
Gertrude’s lawsuit, filed in May, makes no mention of the firings or calls for the firing of any hospital employees.
On August 7, the hospital responded to the lawsuit, denying the allegations made. Attorneys for the hospital also requested a jury trial, which is currently set for July 2026.
