3 RI Landlords Facing Lawsuits After 2 Children Suffer Lead Poisoning

WOONSOCKET, RI — Attorney General Peter Neronha said his office filed lawsuits against three Rhode Island landlords after two children living in the apartments suffered lead poisoning.

According to the complaints, landlords Chrystal Rivera, Gabriel Alicea and Sherry Alicea failed to remediate significant lead hazards identified by the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH).

The landlords all received repeated notices and directives from the Department of Health and Attorney General's Office, the complaint said. Under state law, RIDOH property inspectors give landlords numerous opportunities to correct lead hazard violations before the Attorney General's Office gets involved.

According to the complaint, violations occurred at the following properties:

Garden Street, Pawtucket

Rivera owns a three-unit, multi-family home in Pawtucket. Following the lead poisoning of a child living in one of the apartment units, a RIDOH inspection revealed lead hazards in multiple locations inside and outside the building, state officials said. Authorities said Rivera failed to remediate the hazards following two 30-day notices of violation issued by RIDOH.

Ward Street, Woonsocket

Gabriel Alicea and Sherry Alicea own a multi-family home on Ward Street in Woonsocket. According to the complaint, the building was inspected after a child suffered lead poisoning. A RIDOH inspection revealed lead hazards in and outside the home, and the landlords failed to correct the issues, despite getting two chances, the complaint said.

Neronha in the lawsuits said he's seeking a court order to halt further harmful conduct, remediate the lead hazards and provide adequate alternative housing while the lead contamination is addressed. Neronha is also seeking fines of up to $5,000 for everyday violations continue.

"We will continue to take landlords to court who fail to remediate lead hazards in the apartments they rent following the lead poisoning of a child," Neronha said in a statement. "The allegations against the defendants here, and against those in other cases we have brought, are that a landlord was notified multiple times that there is a lead hazard on their property, that a child living there was lead poisoned, and that they did nothing about it. These circumstances are unacceptable, the health consequences are serious, and strong action by this Office is warranted."

More on Lead Violations In Rhode Island

• RI Attorney General Takes More Action Against Lead Violations
• Rhode Island Landlords Face Consequences For Lead Violations
• 4 Providence Landlords Facing Lawsuit For Lead Violations.