ST. LOUIS, MO – A 57-year-old man with a documented high risk of choking died after a caregiver allegedly left him alone with food and failed to follow required supervision protocols, according to a lawsuit filed by his family. James Showmaker, who had Prader-Willi Syndrome, was left brain dead after choking on a turkey burger and fries at a supervised home in Crestwood and died three days later after being taken off life support.
The legal petition claims the incident occurred on June 20, when caregiver Tara Whitehead, assigned as fill-in staff at an Easterseals residence, served Showmaker food and then left the room despite explicit care instructions requiring constant monitoring during meals. “James never should have died in this way,” the petition states. “His ISP (Individual Service Plan) clearly spells out that he should be monitored during eating to confirm he is counting to 20 between bites. Tara Whitehead admitted she did not do that.”
Care requirements and risks tied to rare condition
Showmaker’s family says he was born with Prader-Willi Syndrome, a condition associated with hyperphagia, reduced muscle strength, and a heightened risk of choking. “PWS does not just affect the amount of food they consume but also impacts the speed at which they eat,” the petition explains. “People with PWS have reduced muscle strength, including the muscles in their throats used for swallowing.”
The petition further states that individuals with the condition require strict supervision during meals. “When James is eating, he needs to set his fork down between bites and count to 20 or flip over 20 cards,” the ISP allegedly stated. “In order to ensure that James counts to twenty or flips over twenty playing cards between bites, an employee must stand by his side while he is eating. If they do not, he is at a serious risk of eating his food too quickly and choking.”
Allegations of delayed response and lack of training
According to the filing, Showmaker began choking shortly after being left alone. Whitehead allegedly returned after hearing him coughing and making “agonizing moans” and told him to go “throw it up.” The petition notes that people with Prader-Willi Syndrome typically cannot vomit and that such symptoms require immediate medical attention.
Showmaker collapsed due to lack of oxygen. The lawsuit alleges Whitehead called 911 but did not know the home’s phone number and failed to unlock the front door, delaying emergency responders. “James’s brain was deprived of oxygen for too long,” the document alleges. “When he arrived at the hospital he was brain dead. James suffered immensely through the whole ordeal.”
Family members say Showmaker later experienced seizures and developed sepsis before being removed from life support three days later.
The lawsuit accuses Easterseals of negligent training and supervision. “This is a case about an organization that families and the public entrust to supervise their parents, children, and siblings,” the petition states. “Despite that enormous amount of trust, Easterseals negligently trains and supervises its employees who are tasked with monitoring the activities of people, like James, who have conditions that make them a danger to themselves.”
The family also alleges Whitehead was never required to review Showmaker’s Individual Service Plan. “If it provided any training regarding PWS to her at all, such training was severely lacking,” the petition says.
Easterseals Midwest declined to comment on the pending litigation. Whitehead could not be reached for comment.
Missouri caregiver lawsuit, Prader Willi syndrome choking risk, Easterseals Crestwood case, James Showmaker death, supervised care negligence