Mother sues Morro Bay hotel, workers in son’s death by overdose

Lawsuit claims manager at La Serena Inn knew boy was doing drugs in her room

By Leslie Parrilla | lparrilla@thetribunenews.com

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A Morro Bay hotel is being sued for the alleged wrongful death of a boy who died while doing drugs in an employee’s room.

The boy’s mother, Debra Lee Paulson, filed the civil lawsuit May 5 against La Serena Inn at 990 Morro Ave. and several employees, alleging wrongful death and general negligence the night a manager allegedly knew her son was doing drugs at the hotel, according to the lawsuit.

Paulson’s son, Daniel Paulson, 17, died Dec. 21, at the hotel after he was permitted to stay in the guest room of friend and night manager Melissa Olson on Dec. 20, according to the lawsuit.

Olson is accused of knowing that the boy was under the influence of drugs and being responsible for him because she was an adult and he was a minor, according to the lawsuit.

A civil lawsuit represents only one side of the story.

About 11 p.m. on Dec. 20, Olson found the boy unconscious in the room, likely from a prescription drug, according to the lawsuit. She is accused of failing to call for medical help but instead “allowed Daniel to remain lying unconscious on the floor of her room,” the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit accuses Olson of being able to prevent the boy’s death if she had called for help. Also listed in the lawsuit and associated with the inn are Louis Bartfield, David and Melinda Nowak and Alan and Sandra Von Sosten.

Daniel Paulson was pronounced dead at 8 a.m. Dec. 21 at the inn, according to the lawsuit.

“Toxicology results show that at the time of his death, Daniel was in the toxic range for the prescription drug hydrocodone,” the lawsuit states.

Adding that, “Olson had a prescription for hydrocodone at the time Daniel expired.”

Attorneys would not comment on whether they were alleging Olson gave Paulson the drugs.

Morro Bay police said Thursday that they are investigating Paulson’s death and where he got the prescription drugs but do not suspect a crime has been committed. Police said they typically investigate deaths of people who do not have a known medical condition.

Paulson’s mother is asking for an unspecified amount of money in damages.

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