On Sept. 23, 2008, plaintiff Robert Saunders, who was physically disabled and required a cane for support, got into a disagreement with attorney Elaine Van Beveren, who was appointed by the Sacramento Superior Court to represent Saunders’ minor daughters in a child custody case with the girls’ mother. Saunders alleged that Van Beveren assaulted and falsely imprisoned him and his twin daughters at the meeting in her office after verbally disagreeing about several issues. Saunders originally brought suit against the county of Sacramento, Van Beveren and her office. He alleged that the defendants’ actions constituted intentional and reckless disregard, outrageous conduct, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and abuse of process. Van Beveren and her office was dismissed from the case for lack of jurisdiction. Counsel for the county noted that the court screens pro per actions and did not authorize service against the county, as service on the county was not proper., Saunders visited his primary care physician on Sept. 25, 2008, due to severe pain in his neck, shoulder, back and head. He claimed a strained neck, sprained shoulder, arm and back pain, neck and back spasms, and headaches. Saunders claimed he had to wear a cervical collar for several months and took pain medications for his pain and discomfort. He also claimed severe emotional distress, causing him sleep loss, and feelings of physical distress, depression, anger, irritability, hypervigilance, as well as causing appetite loss. He alleged that as a result, he had to take an increase in medication. Saunders contended that he has been living in an eternal nightmare regarding Van Beveren’s alleged assault and battery on him and his daughters, and the court’s subsequent decisions regarding not being able to see his daughters.