A civil suit accusing a Manning addiction-treatment facility of negligence following an alleged sexual relationship between a counselor and patient has been filed in Carroll County District Court. The plaintiff is an unidentified Shelby County resident. Manning Regional Healthcare Center (MRHC), Manning Family Recovery Center (MFRC), Catholic Health Initiatives, MercyOne, and two MFRC employees, Kristal Lake and Damon Bromley, are listed as defendants. The petition claims John Doe was enrolled in a four-week, in-patient treatment program in January and February of this year. Plaintiff claims Lake, his assigned counselor, made inappropriate and sexually suggestive comments during one-on-one sessions. According to court documents, the two began exchanging sexual images, videos and text messages in July while still participating in treatment. Doe ended contact with Lake on Aug. 10, resulting in an Aug. 17 relapse. Doe also alleges Bromley had knowledge of the relationship but did not report it to administration. The petition brings six counts, including: gross negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and premises liability against all parties; negligent hiring, supervision and retention by MRHC and MFRC; negligence by the incorporated entities and Bromley; and tortious infliction of severe emotional stress against Kristal Lake. Plaintiff claims emotional, physical and financial damages as a result of the defendants’ actions and requests a trial by jury. MRHC CEO, Linn Block, says they recently became aware of the pending litigation but, as of yet, have not been formally notified. Although it is not typical to comment on pending litigation, Block did say, “Our first priority is always to protect the health, safety and well-being of our patients. When there are allegations of this nature, we place the employee named on administrative leave while we complete a full internal review.” Lake is no longer an MFRC employee and Bromley is currently on administrative leave.