Local News in Brief : Father Sues County Over Death of Child

The father of a toddler slain while under Los Angeles County supervision has filed a $5-million lawsuit against the county.

Allan Callahan accuses the county’s Department of Children’s Services of “recklessly, maliciously and intentionally” failing to protect 2 1/2-year-old Jeseka Jackson. The child’s aunt was convicted of beating her to death, then setting her bed on fire in Long Beach in November, 1987.

Jeseka became a ward of the court after her mother died in an accident in January, 1985. Her mother and Callahan had never married and her aunt, Sandra Jackson, 29, was eventually awarded permanent custody.

Callahan, 36, of Long Beach, had been trying to gain custody of the child but was not recognized as her natural father until the department told him he was responsible for funeral arrangements and burial expenses, according to the lawsuit filed in Long Beach Superior Court.

Robert Ambrose, an attorney for the county, said the county was not to blame for the child’s death. “I find little if any fault with the county people who are trying to protect these kids,” he said.