Nationwide — Deria Francis, a 40-year-old African American mother from South Carolina, was violently attacked by 28-year-old cashier Shannon Walsh, who is white, at a Circle K gas station while eight weeks pregnant, leading to a miscarriage. Francis has filed a federal lawsuit against Walsh and the store.
Francis and her family were traveling to Detroit for a church conference when they stopped at the Circle K on East Wooster Street in Bowling Green. Francis tried to cancel a transaction to enter her Circle K rewards number, but Walsh reportedly refused and became verbally aggressive.
According to WTOL, the lawsuit states Walsh threw a jar of coins at Francis’ stomach. When Francis tried to leave, Walsh allegedly came around the counter, grabbed her by the hair, slammed her into a drink cooler, and repeatedly struck her with a closed fist. Their two children witnessed the attack.
The complaint also claims Walsh used racist language during the assault. Francis suffered bruises and miscarried the next day. Police and emergency responders were called to the scene. Walsh later pleaded no contest to negligent assault and was ordered to complete anger-management training.
Francis’ lawsuit accuses Circle K of failing to maintain a safe environment and not properly hiring, training, or supervising employees. It lists claims of assault, battery, and negligence, seeking damages for physical injuries, emotional distress, and the loss of her pregnancy.
Attorney Charles Boyk said, “This never should have happened. Rev. Francis was a pregnant mother simply trying to redeem a routine store loyalty reward. Instead, she was violently attacked, subjected to racist slurs, and suffered the unimaginable loss of her unborn child. No family should ever experience such brutality, especially in a business that claims to serve the public.”