Cases

A mother and daughter sued four related religious organizations and two officials alleging that they “brainwashed” the daughter into joining a religious movement and thereafter conspired to conceal her from her parents.  The trial court awarded compensatory and punitive damages.

When cross appeals were filed, the Court of Appeal affirmed in part and reversed in part.  Then the United States Supreme Court vacated and remanded the case.

In the follow up appeal, the Court of Appeal reaffirmed the conclusions it reached in its initial opinion, holding: (1) the daughter could not recover for false imprisonment or intentional infliction of emotional distress; (2) the mother could recover for intentional infliction of emotional distress; (3) the mother could recover for libel; and (4) the daughter could recover for wrongful death of father due to heart condition exacerbated by stress of searching for daughter.