Family of nonverbal woman with autism who went missing for 5 days files lawsuit against group home operator, caregiver

Boston Globe

11-04-2025

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DaLomba survived despite not having water, food, or her necessary medication, according to the filing.
'We trusted Seven Hills to care for and protect Linda, and that trust was broken,' DeLomba's family said in a statement to the Globe. 'We are appalled that something like this happened under Seven Hills' watch, and we demand to know what changes they are making so this doesn't happen to another family. Linda didn't deserve this, and we want accountability.'
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Because she faces a criminal charge, Gerard could not enter a plea at her arraignment last month. Her attorney, Leah Boisclair, said Friday Gerard had not yet been served with the civil lawsuit and therefore would not have comment on the matter until after reviewing the complaint.
A spokesperson for Seven Hills did not immediately return a request for comment on Friday, but said last month Gerard was employed by the foundation for over five years before she was terminated from her position on March 21.
Jordan Strokovsky, an attorney representing DaLomba's family, said in an interview the lawsuit seeks to learn what policies Seven Hills had in place at the time DaLomba went missing and whether those policies were followed.
'And if they didn't have policies, what policies they plan to make to make sure this doesn't happen again?' Strokovsky said. 'We do have grave concerns that this was not an isolated incident.'
The lawsuit alleges Seven Hills had a policy and protocol that allowed employees such as Gerard to use their personal vehicles to transport individuals in their care, but did not have a system to track their locations.
The Seven Hills Foundation 'knew and/or should have known that additional auditing and monitoring of its employees ... was required when such employees are assigned to individuals who are non-verbal so as to prevent those employees from exploiting clients – such as Linda – due to their inability to communicate adequately," the lawsuit states.
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'As a result of her condition, Linda is a threat to herself, if left unsupervised as she is unable to care for herself, relying on others to do so,' the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit also claims that 'upon information and belief' Gerard previously left DaLomba unsupervised or in the care of her own family or friends, but the complaint does not include further details supporting that allegation.
The complaint accuses the defendants of negligence and of negligent hiring, retention, training and supervision, and claims Seven Hills was legally responsible for Gerard's alleged negligence. The lawsuit seeks judgment for 'personal and psychological injuries including medical expenses, pain and suffering, punitive damages, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life,' among others.
'Linda's family never wants this to happen to another family,' Strokovsky said. 'They are appalled by the care that Linda received, and they trusted Seven Hills with Linda and that trust has been broken, and so we're filing a civil lawsuit to get answers.'
Christopher Gavin can be reached at