Bounkham “Baby Bou Bou” Phonesavanh (WRN PHOTO)
A nearly one million dollar settlement has been reached between Habersham County, Georgia and the family of a toddler who was seriously injured in a law enforcement raid nearly a year ago. The little boy, Bounkham “Baby Bou Bou” Phonesavanh, and the rest of his family were staying with relatives in the town of Cornelia, Georgia, after their Janesville home was destroyed by fire. Deputies executing a no knock warrant tossed a flashbang grenade into the home, which landed in the child’s crib, resulting in disfiguring facial injuries.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the settlement was announced Tuesday evening by Habersham County Commission Chairwoman Andrea Harper. According to documents obtained by the newspaper, the settlement would include a structured payout of $964,000. An attorney for the Phonesavanh family, Mawuli Davis, said the case “continues to be litigated,” but declined to comment further.
The agreement would essentially direct any further legal action by the Phonesavanhs to claims against insurance policies held by the county. The settlement would prevent any suits against individuals or the county’s general fund.. The family has previously estimated the medical bills related to Bou Bou’s injuries would reach $1 million, the paper reported.