A lawsuit filed in Wyoming has brought renewed scrutiny to youth safety protocols during church-organized activities after a 12-year-old boy lost his foot in a boating accident during an official outing led by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The incident, which occurred in 2022 at Boysen Reservoir, involved two brothers who were participating in a church-sponsored recreational trip.
The case raises significant questions about supervision, training, and responsibility when minors are placed in the care of religious organizations during potentially hazardous activities. While the Church has denied wrongdoing and characterized the incident as a rare and unforeseeable accident, the lawsuit alleges negligence that resulted in permanent physical and psychological harm to both children.
The case has attracted attention not only because of the severity of the injury but also because of the circumstances surrounding the accident, including the role of adult supervision, the actions taken in the moments following the injury, and the broader legal implications for organizations that rely heavily on volunteer leaders. As the lawsuit proceeds, it is likely to become a focal point in discussions about duty of care, volunteer immunity, and child safety standards in faith-based programs.
Details of the Boating Accident at Boysen Reservoir
According to the lawsuit, the two brothers, aged 12 and 14 at the time, were participating in a boating activity organized and overseen by the Church. The outing took place at Boysen Reservoir, a popular recreational area in Wyoming. A member of the Church’s Young Women’s group was reportedly operating the boat during the activity. At some point, the younger boy was positioned in the boat feeding out a rope connected to an inner tube floating in the water behind the vessel.
The lawsuit alleges that while the boy was handling the rope, the boat operator suddenly accelerated. This action allegedly caused the rope to tighten rapidly and wrap around the child’s left foot. The force of the tightening rope reportedly caused deep and catastrophic lacerations, effectively severing the foot below the ankle. The injury was immediate and severe, leaving the boy in critical condition while still on the water.
After the accident, the driver is said to have stopped the boat but was unable to restart it because the engine became flooded. With the boat disabled and the injured child bleeding heavily, the situation quickly became dire. The older brother, then 14 years old, reportedly called 911 to request emergency assistance. While waiting for help to arrive, he attempted to provide lifesaving aid to his younger brother.
According to the filing, the older boy fashioned a tourniquet and tied it around his brother’s leg in an effort to control the bleeding. He then attempted to paddle his injured brother back toward shore using the inner tube, a task that placed significant physical and emotional strain on a minor already dealing with a traumatic situation. Emergency responders eventually arrived, and the injured boy was transported for medical treatment.
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Despite extensive medical intervention, including multiple surgeries and two amputations, doctors were unable to save the child’s foot. The injury resulted in permanent physical disability, requiring ongoing medical care and rehabilitation. The lawsuit asserts that the events of that day have had lasting consequences not only for the injured child but also for his older brother, who witnessed the injury and took on emergency responsibilities under extreme circumstances.
Allegations of Negligence and Responsibility of the Church
The lawsuit argues that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had a clear duty of care toward the children participating in its organized activity. According to the plaintiffs, this duty included ensuring that boating activities were conducted in a safe manner, that those operating boats were adequately trained, and that appropriate safety protocols were in place to prevent foreseeable injuries. The filing contends that the Church failed to meet these responsibilities.
Among the central allegations is the claim that allowing a child to handle a rope connected to an inner tube while the boat was in operation created an unreasonably dangerous situation. The plaintiffs argue that proper supervision and training would have prevented such a scenario or ensured that the boat did not accelerate while a child was in a vulnerable position. The lawsuit further suggests that the Church did not adequately prepare its volunteers to manage boating activities involving minors, particularly in recognizing and mitigating risks associated with towing and water sports.
In addition to the physical injury suffered by the younger boy, the lawsuit highlights the emotional and psychological toll on both brothers. It alleges that the injured child has experienced severe mental and emotional trauma as a result of losing his foot, describing the harm as irreparable and life-altering. The loss of mobility, the impact on daily activities, and the long-term implications for the child’s future are all cited as factors contributing to ongoing suffering.
The older brother is also named as a plaintiff in the case. The lawsuit asserts that he endured significant emotional and psychological trauma from witnessing the accident, performing emergency first aid under pressure, and seeing the lasting effects of the injury on his sibling. According to the filing, these experiences have had a profound impact on his mental well-being.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for medical expenses incurred as a result of the injury, as well as damages for loss of enjoyment of life, both past and future. The lawsuit emphasizes that these losses extend beyond financial costs, encompassing diminished quality of life, emotional distress, and the long-term consequences of a preventable accident.
Church Response and Broader Legal Implications
In response to the lawsuit, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has denied that it failed in its obligations or legal responsibilities. In a statement issued Monday, the Church rejected the claim that the accident was caused by negligence or improper actions by its personnel. Instead, it characterized the incident as a rare and unforeseen accident that occurred despite reasonable care.
The Church’s statement emphasized that activities such as boating inherently carry risks that cannot be entirely eliminated. It argued that not all accidents are preventable, even when appropriate precautions are taken. The Church also noted that the individual operating the boat was acting as a volunteer, invoking the volunteer immunity doctrine as part of its defense. This legal principle can provide certain protections to volunteers performing duties on behalf of nonprofit organizations, shielding them from personal liability under specific circumstances.
By asserting volunteer immunity, the Church appears to be positioning the case within a broader legal framework that recognizes the role of unpaid individuals in community and religious activities. However, the applicability of this doctrine often depends on the details of the case, including whether the volunteer acted within the scope of their duties and whether negligence can be established.
The lawsuit raises important questions about how far volunteer immunity extends when serious injuries occur, particularly involving minors. Courts may need to examine whether the organization itself bears responsibility for training, oversight, and safety planning, regardless of the volunteer status of those directly involved. The outcome could have implications not only for religious institutions but also for other nonprofit organizations that rely on volunteers to lead youth activities.
Beyond the legal arguments, the case underscores the potential risks associated with recreational outings involving children and the importance of clear safety guidelines. It also highlights the emotional burden placed on minors when accidents occur and adult intervention is delayed or insufficient. As the legal process unfolds, it is likely to prompt renewed attention to how organizations structure and supervise activities that carry inherent risks.
While the Church maintains that the injuries were the result of an unforeseeable accident, the plaintiffs contend that proper care and training could have prevented the tragedy. The court’s eventual findings will play a critical role in determining accountability and may influence how similar activities are managed in the future.
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