Federal and state complaints, which were filed June 30, allege that the death of Kaloni Bolton, a 12-year old Black girl with asthma, was caused after she was denied appropriate medical treatment by Seattle’s Renton Landing Urgent Care Clinic and North Benson Urgent Care Clinic — both overseen by Valley Medical Center.
The complaints were filed with the U.S. Department of Justice, Washington Human Rights Commission and Washington Medical Board by father Kevin Bolton.
According to the complaints, on Dec. 29, 2020, Kaloni gasped for air and cried out “I can’t breathe” as she pleaded for medical care, but was denied treatment for asthma difficulty.
Rather than deliver basic and essential care, the staff at Renton Landing Urgent Care Clinic directed Kaloni to North Benson Urgent Care Clinic, where she was ordered by hospital staff to wait in the car. After approximately 30 minutes without basic medical treatment, Kaloni became nonresponsive and was transported to Seattle Children’s Hospital, where she was pronounced dead several days later.
Since Kaloni’s death last December, there has been a public outcry demanding justice. Kevin Bolton, Kaloni’s father, demands answers and an independent inquiry into the facts and circumstances surrounding his daughter’s death.
“I want to know what happened to my angel,” said Mr. Bolton. “I demand to know why my daughter was denied medical treatment.”
Mr. Bolton is represented by Evan Oshan of Oshan & Associates, who is calling for a thorough investigation into the facts in order to determine the next course of action.
“The complaints that have been filed are a major step on the path to obtaining justice for Kaloni Bolton, her family and the community,” said Oshan. “We need to know what role racism and medical negligence played in Kaloni’s death, as she would still be alive today if she was provided the appropriate medical treatment.”
Oshan added the specter of systemic issues with Valley Medical Center given it operates both Renton Landing Urgent Care Clinic and North Benson Urgent Care Clinic.
Talk to us
Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.
To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.
