Father sues sheriff, school over boy's false confession in dog killing
LANE COUNTY, Ore. -- Levi Dunn was 11-years-old when someone shot a dog on a street corner in Creswell.
The dog died, and Dunn confessed to the crime.
Ballistics tests later proved Dunn didn't do it.
Now his father, Larry Dunn, is suing the Lane County Sheriff's Office, former Sheriff's Deputy Pat O'Neill and the Creswell School District.
"It's torn my family apart," said Larry Dunn. "I mean, it really has."
Larry Dunn claims O'Neill forced Levi Dunn to confess to the crime even though he did not commit it. He said he is suing the district and two district employees because they did not do enough to stop the interrogation.
"Levi was being harassed at school, being assaulted," said Larry Dunn.
The treatment was so bad, Levi Dunn moved to Nevada to live with his mom.
"My son is my life," said Larry Dunn. "He was my shadow. I don't have him anymore."
A lawyer for Lane County said they just got the lawsuit and they have no comment at this time.
Creswell School District Superintendent Ruby Price said the allegations are false.
"The Creswell School District denies the allegation and the complaint and asserts that it properly followed all applicable laws, rules and policies," said Price.
Larry Dunn is asking the sheriff's office to record all interviews with minors who are suspects in crimes. It's something, he said, that would have saved his family two years of terror.
