Swope, Rodante P.A. today confirmed that it represents Krista Kale, in her capacity as Personal Representative of the Estate of Patricia Matejcek, in connection with the death of Ms. Matejcek, which has been the subject of recent investigative reporting concerning the Mary Jennings “group home” and the actions of Centerstone of Florida.
Ms. Matejcek’s family has endured a profound and devastating loss. At this time, the family respectfully requests privacy as they continue to grieve. To help ensure that request is honored, all media inquiries regarding the family should be directed to Swope, Rodante P.A.
“Our client’s goal is accountability,” said Taylor McKnight, a partner at the firm. “What our investigation has revealed—consistent with what has already been reported publicly—raises serious concerns about how placement decisions were made, how supervision was handled, and whether required safeguards were followed when dealing with a high-risk individual.”
Recent reporting, together with the firm’s independent investigation, has uncovered systemic breakdowns in placement, supervision, and oversight, involving a forensic mental-health client with a well-documented history of violence, severe mental illness, and substance abuse—factors that demanded heightened controls and close monitoring.
“This was not an unforeseeable tragedy,” Mr. McKnight added. “It was the predictable result of a chain of failures by Centerstone and Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, the managing entity responsible for oversight—failures that ignored mandatory safety rules designed to protect both vulnerable individuals and the public at large.”
Krista Kale, speaking on behalf of the Estate, emphasized the family’s motivation for coming forward:
“Nothing can bring my sister back. But we hope that by seeking accountability, we can help prevent another family from experiencing the same kind of tragedy.”
As the legal process moves forward, the family remains focused on honoring Patricia Matejcek’s life and ensuring that what happened to her does not happen to anyone else. The Estate looks forward to pursuing accountability through the civil justice system.
