Washington settles foster-care abuse case for $5.3 million

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — The state of Washington will pay $5.3 million to four people who were placed in an abusive foster home as children. The court settlement was reached Monday and is intended to head off a trial scheduled for next year. The four plaintiffs filed negligence and civil rights claims against the Department of Social and Health Services and one social worker. The lawsuit was originally filed in Stevens County Superior Court, and moved to federal court in Spokane. The plaintiffs allege they were placed in an abusive foster home with Sylvia and Michael Wenger, who later adopted the children. The plaintiffs contend they were emotionally, physically and/or sexually abused in the home.