Another Vindication for Daybreak – Court Rejects Claims in Million/Herron Wrongful Death Case

Another Vindication for Daybreak – Court Rejects Claims in Million/Herron Wrongful Death Case

Judge Finds Daybreak is not responsible for Former Client’s Death; Adds to Growing List of Dismissed Cases

Spokane, WA – A Washington Superior Court has dismissed the civil lawsuit brought against Daybreak Youth Services in the Jamie Million/Estate of Ariana Herron v. Daybreak Youth Services case, affirming that there is no credible evidence that any wrongdoing occurred within Daybreak’s facility. “I find that the plaintiff’s evidence amounts only to speculation,” the judge noted.

The court further recognized that Daybreak cannot be held accountable for tragic events that took place more than a year after the young woman completed treatment. “This was a heartbreaking loss for the family, and our hearts go out to them,” said Tom Russell, CEO of Daybreak. “This case underscores what we have said from the beginning—Daybreak was falsely accused on the basis of rumors and speculation. When the facts are weighed by a neutral party, truth prevails.”

The Million/Herron case was one of three allegations the Washington Department of Health (DOH) used to justify its extraordinary and unprecedented suspension of Daybreak’s licenses in 2023. All three cases—including the State v Stowe and Morrison v Daybreak cases—have now been dismissed:

In Stowe, a Judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to send the case to a jury on April 17th, 2025 (see attached documents titled Stowe_Order_Dismissal and Stowe_Judgement_Acquittal).

In Morrison, discovery revealed that the allegations were part of an attempted extortion scheme, leading to dismissal on November 11th, 2024 (see attached document titled Morrison_Dismissed).

In Million/Herron, a Judge found there was no admissible evidence linking Daybreak to the overdose death that occurred 14 months post-treatment on August 14th, 2025 (see attached document titled Millon_Summary_Judgement).

“Every time Daybreak has been given the opportunity to defend itself in legal proceeding before a neutral Judge, the allegations against Daybreak collapse,” said David H. Smith, legal counsel for Daybreak. “The Department of Health built its case for emergency closure on rumors, speculation, and after-the-fact hearsay statements from unreliable sources.”

The dismissal is part of a broader pattern. In April, the Washington Court of Appeals reversed a contempt order against Daybreak, ruling that the DOH had imposed requirements that were “impossible to comply with.” That opinion, combined with a string of favorable rulings, reveals the systematic overreach that led to Daybreak’s closure.

“Daybreak was forced out of business without ever having the chance to contest false allegations,” Russell added. “But one by one, the truth is coming out. The Department of Health’s campaign against us is unraveling.”

Although Daybreak’s facilities were shuttered in 2023, the organization remains committed to its mission. For over 45 years, Daybreak saved thousands of young lives through residential treatment, suicide prevention, and specialized care for victims of sex trafficking. Leadership continues to explore ways to carry forward the mission to save young lives.

 

About Daybreak Youth Services
Daybreak Youth Services was one of Washington State’s largest residential treatment providers for adolescents facing substance use and behavioral health crises. For more than 45 years, Daybreak served youth across the state with trauma-informed care, including inpatient treatment, mental health evaluation, suicide prevention, and specialized support for victims of sex trafficking. Daybreak’s services helped thousands of youth reclaim their futures.

For more information, visit www.daybreakyouthservices.org.

 

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See Attachments:

Stowe_Order_Dismissal
Stowe_Judgement_Acquittal
Morrison_Dismissed
Millon_Summary_Judgement