Press Release: July 21, 2025

Charles Boyk Law Offices has filed a civil lawsuit in Preble County, Ohio on behalf of the family of Jordan Shinn, a profoundly intellectually disabled teenager who died at the age of 16 while under the care of a state-licensed residential facility. The suit alleges wrongful death, corporate negligence, breach of contract, and other claims related to Jordan’s fatal exposure to fentanyl, xylazine, and phenobarbital. The civil lawsuit was filed in the Preble County Court of Common Pleas against Foundations and several affiliated corporate entities and individuals. Click here to read the official, file-stamped complaint.

Jordan, who suffered from cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and other significant medical and developmental conditions, was a resident of the “Foundations” Intermediate Care Facility in New Paris, Ohio. He had been in the care of the facility since the age of seven. Despite promises by Foundations that he would be kept in a safe, supervised environment, Jordan was found unresponsive in his bed in the early morning hours of July 23, 2023. He was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

A subsequent autopsy by the Montgomery County Coroner determined Jordan died from the combined toxic effects of fentanyl, xylazine, and phenobarbital. Xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer not approved for human use, and fentanyl are potent and often fatal components of illicit street drugs.

The lawsuit, filed by Jordan’s mother, Ashley Shinn, and estate administrator Zackary Shaffer, alleges that:

• Staff at Foundations—including employees with known drug use histories—failed to provide proper supervision, left personal belongings accessible to residents, and did not conduct or document mandated rounds as required;
• Despite repeated observations of staff members visibly impaired—such as falling asleep, nodding off, or exhibiting signs of drug or alcohol use while responsible for vulnerable residents—Foundations failed to take any corrective or disciplinary action to protect those in their care.
• The facility had no security or visitor logs, permitting unmonitored access to vulnerable residents;
• Foundations rehired at least one employee despite her known criminal drug record, complaints of impaired performance, and prior termination. This same employee was the last person to see Jordan awake/alive and died of a drug overdose roughly one year after his death;
• The facility was undercapitalized and inadequately staffed, violating numerous state and federal care standards;
• The Ohio Attorney General and Preble County Sheriff’s Office have both opened investigations following the Coroner’s ruling of homicide.

“This tragedy should have never occurred. Jordan was a completely dependent child entrusted to a facility that promised to care for him,” said lead attorney Charles E. Boyk. “Instead, due to reckless and systemic failures in hiring, supervision, and safety, Jordan died from lethal drug exposure inside what should have been a secure, structured medical facility.”

The complaint also seeks punitive damages against the corporate and individual defendants, citing willful, wanton, and reckless disregard for the rights and safety of residents like Jordan.

About the Charles Boyk Law Firm

Charles Boyk Law is a sophisticated plaintiff injury firm that has successfully represented thousands of injured individuals in complex injury litigation in Ohio, Michigan, and across the United States. Boyk Law’s experienced attorneys and staff are united in their commitment to excellence and dedication to personally serving the interests of all our clients. For more information: https://www.charlesboyk-law.com