Reaching out to a sexual abuse attorney to find out your options and better understand your rights under new and pending laws wont cost you anything. You already receive all suggested Justia Opinion Summary Newsletters. Learn more about a Devereux sexual abuse lawsuit from our team of lawyers. Don't miss the crucial news and insights you need to make informed legal decisions. Deter similar conduct in the future. You just have to contact us. The lawsuit includes accusations of rape and sexual abuse on the residential patients, in addition to abuse committed by other patients. There once were several Hotels, 3 Doctors, a Cotton Mill, and many other businesses. The exact number of residents is something that must be determined through discovery, she added, though the complaint details that Deveruex is responsible for nearly 25,000 individuals across 21 facilities in 13 states. The Devereux Foundation AmicusGLR Download Georgians for Lawsuit Reform ("GLR") filed an amicus curiae brief with the Supreme Court of Georgia in the Taylor v. The Devereux Foundation case. In November 2019, a jury awarded a survivor $60 million (according to the Marietta Daily Journal). Partner. After McGee was assaulted, she filed a lawsuit against Devereux and Gwendolyn Skinner, the executive director of . I read some good reviews and thought maybe it would be a good fit, Jane Does mom said. Don't miss the crucial news and insights you need to make informed legal decisions. Public health emergencies, like COVID-19 (Coronavirus), can be stressful and challenging for families and communities. No attorney client relationship is created until a written agreement is signed. Related Capabilities. Consulting Magazine recognizes women leaders in technology across three categories Leadership, Client Service and Innovation. Devereux is a. The Judge overseeing this case is Mark H. Cohen. Its disgusting, and it just isnt right. We allege that this puts these individuals at a heightened risk of harm and abuse. An attorney representing the plaintiffs gave issued a statement to 13 Investigates. The Law Did Not Treat Them Kindly. Allegations of sexual and physical abuse have accused as many as 20 defendants between 2004 and 2014. According to the investigation, within the last 25 years, as many as 41 minors were sexually abused or raped. Attorney Zulu Ali Renamed Top Ten Criminal & Immigration Lawyer by Attorney & Pr PVA Cal San Diego to Support Paul Ehline Motorcycle Ride Lytle Creek, SEDA Experts Expands its Forensic Accounting Expert Witness Practice, Meet Dr. Jason A. Shackelford, the Attorney Bringing Justice to Missouri. We are still sifting through the details, some of which are incredibly disturbing, including sexual assault and rape. Lawsuits are piling up against the Devereux Foundation, a behavioral health organization, over reported abuse throughout its facilities, withscores of suits filed across state and federal courts. Unsubscribe from e-mail lists | Update e-mail and donation preferences | Privacy Policy, Clinical & Professional Training & Research, Doctoral Internship in Health Service Psychology. At the same time, adults who were abused within the past few years may also have an opportunity to seek justice. There are no allegations of sexual abuse involving the Eagle Ranch staff. https://www.law.com/thelegalintelligencer/2022/05/04/behavioral-health-organization-devereux-faces-mounting-litigation-over-allegations-of-resident-abuse/. 13 Investigates just received this class action suit. 0. You might have the grounds for a sexual abuse lawsuit against Devereux if you experienced physical or sexual abuse at the hands of staff or other residents while at any of the following: When the abuse you suffered occurred, and how old you were at the time, may affect whether or not you can pursue a claim. We use third party cookies on our website. Speak With An Attorney . No one from Eagle Ranch would talk to Winne on camera, but the Ranch was very cooperative about letting Channel 2 Action News cameras on the property to get video. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area. Instead of helping them heal, the time these children spent at Devereux treatment centers only caused them more suffering. In May of 2012, staffer Jimmy Singleterry allegedly raped a 15-year-old girl. In November 2019, a woman who survived sexual abuse at the hands of a Devereux facility staff member received a $60 million verdict in her favor. This pervasive culture of abuse allowed perpetrators access and opportunity to abuse highly vulnerable children and young adults, and gave them the impunity to act without the risk of detection or punishment.. Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided. Jo-Ann Taylor, the executor of McGee's estate, contended that OCGA 51-12-5.1 (g) violated the rights to trial by jury, separation of powers, and equal protection guaranteed by the Georgia Constitution. You can opt-out of our analytic cookies. What Caused the Pattern of Sexual Abuse at Devereux Facilities? In December, a Devereux staffer at a Texas facility was charged with allegedly charged with sexually abusing four children. . Her court date is Oct. 26. This rating has improved by 10% over the last 12 months. Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided. DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations. The victim was admitted for treatment at Devereux, a behavioral health facility located in Kennesaw, Cobb County, Georgia. Writing in support of the Appellee-Defendant, GLR urges the court to uphold the statutory cap on punitive damages passed by the General Assembly in 1987. Just Askin': What are the Seven Hills of Cincinnati, exactly? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); GLR Is Hiring: Director of Communications, Governor Brian Kemp Releases FY 2024 Budget Report, Georgia General Assembly Adopts 2023 Legislative Calendar, GLR IS HIRING! . Devereaux still has an active church community, and lively farming community. In the face of these formidable odds, Devereux sexual abuse survivors are receiving compensation and their cases are gaining traction on a national level. Featuring Philadelphia injury lawyer Nancy Winkler | 888-644-4288Several residents of Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health facilities, run by the Devereux Fou. COCOA BEACH, Fla. A 24-year-old employee of Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health in Viera was fired this week after being charged with having a sexual relationship with a student from the school. Kuck Baxter attorneys address Georgia's client needs traversing everchanging U.S. Immigration law in Devereux GA. While at the facility, she was sexually assaulted by 40-year-old Devereux employee Jimmy Singleterry. For more than 40 years, we have been providing hope and healing for children, adolescents and young adults living with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences.We use individual, group and family therapy, coupled with a fully accredited school to create a therapeutic community where children can grow, develop and thrive. It wasnt until his 14-year-old brother was also abused that he spoke up. Lawsuits Mount Against Devereux Behavioral Health Over Allegations of Resident Abuse Published On: May 4th, 2022 Categories: Sexual Abuse Report features extensive commentary from Lieff Cabraser partner Annika K. Martin, who represents the plaintiffs in the proposed minor abuse class action against Devereux Behavioral Health The plaintiffs, who were as young as 8 when the alleged abuse took place, are not named in the complaint to protect their privacy. Deal names Sarah Hawkins Warren to Georgia Supreme Court, Nomination Panel Names 40 Interviewees for Court of Appeals Spots, Georgians for Lawsuit Reform rep speaks at local Chamber, Governor Backs Constitutional Amendment for New Business Court, States Set Up Business Courts for Corporate Conflicts, Stage Is Set at UGA Law School for Heated Arguments in Chrysler Case. We have affiliations in specific cases with attorneys licensed to practice in almost every state court in the U.S. We also are affiliated with Rochon Genova, a law firm in Canada, and serve as co-counsel in lawsuits filed in Canada. In early 2021, a lawsuit was filed claiming that Devereux failed to protect at least six children from being sexually abused by staff members. Devereux Georgia treats the highest level, at-risk youth in Georgia from the ages of 10-21 who are suffering from mental illness and behavior disorders often due to abuse, neglect and commercial sexual exploitation. By Tyler Kingkade. Devereux Georgia was established in Cobb County, Georgia, in 1973 at the invitation of Gov. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, does not name individual staffers alleged to be responsible for physical, sexual, and verbal abuse. The 75-page class action lawsuit details allegations from more than a dozen people who received treatment at Devereux, many of whom had histories of abuse. As of early 2021, the General Assembly of Pennsylvania is considering House Bill No. Law Offices of Frank L. Branson seeks associate with ten plus years plaintiffs' complex, multi-defendant, personal injury trial and appellat Shipman is seeking an attorney with 8+ years of experience, to join our corporate and transactional practice. The lawsuit follows an August Philadelphia Inquirer investigation detailing years of criminal behavior by Devereux staff, and the lasting trauma of their victims. The Legal Intelligencer honors lawyers leaving a mark on the legal community in Pennsylvania with their dedication to law. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Law Offices of Gary Martin Hays & Associates No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. The facility is also being held responsible for neglecting to act on the abuse claims and remove the perpetrators. The abuse took place in an easily accessible closet that was out of the view of security cameras. The many allegations in the lawsuits include that the Eagle Ranch staff was poorly-trained and ill-equipped to handle issues involving risks of harm to children and that the facility has repeatedly engaged in cover-ups of abuse. Justice Guardians recently sat down with Brian Kent, a sexual assault attorney in Pennsylvania, to discuss the legal rights and options available to sexual assault victims and their families. PHILADELPHIA (CN) Children who claim they were sexually abused at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health facilities across the country can move forward with a class action after a Pennsylvania federal judge on Thursday denied the health care nonprofit's motion to dismiss the case. July 22, 2022, 6:00 AM PDT. StateALAKASAZARCACOCTDEDCFMFLGAGUHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMHMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDMPOHOKORPWPAPRRISCSDTNTXUTVTVIVAWAWVWIWY, Please SelectGoogleFacebookYoutubeTwitterTV AdvertisementPrint AdvertisementOther, Okay to text me yesno If you have any questions regarding this submission, GLRs amicus policy, or how to join our advocacy efforts, please contact GLRs Executive Director, Meagan Hanson, Esq. Fifteen-year-old Tia McGee was sexually assaulted by an employee working at a behavioral health facility operated by the Devereux Foundation ("Devereux"). By law, the owners and management have to offer a safe environment to the patients with all precautions in place to reduce the risk of injuries and abuse.. In the last year or so, Devereaux has made news nationally for all the wrong reasons. I already have a lawyer yesno. Additionally, in Pennsylvania alone 20 Devereux staff members have been charged with physical abuse of 18 children between the companys three locations in Chester County. But for many former patients, there was nothing shocking about the news of Devereux Foundation abuse. The firm is headquartered at Embarcadero Center West, 275 Battery Street, Suite 3000, San Francisco, CA 94111. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. If legal services are sought, individuals will be directed to one of the law firms listed below. Our experienced legal team . These inquiries are to weed out the predators with a history of misconduct, preventing further abuse. We feel like our son will be in recovery for the rest of our life., In another lawsuit, the victim is called Jane Doe.. A prominent North Georgia ranch for kids in crisis is facing three lawsuits, each raising issues about whether the facility has adequate safeguards to prevent youth-on-youth sexual abuse.. Mr. Banville is affiliated with law firms in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, D.C., and Maryland. Its impacted the course of our lives and how its going to play out from here, he said. WEST WHITELAND TWP, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- West Whiteland Township police have charged another employee of Devereux Behavioral Health . Our clients have been empowered to speak about their mistreatment as vulnerable children entrusted to Devereuxs care, and we look forward to making sure their voices will finally be heard, said Joe Sauder of Sauder Schelkopf. Site Map, Advertise| At trial, Devereux admitted that "Devereux breached the legal duty of ordinary care owed to Tia McGee for her safety from sexual assault and that the breach of Devereux's legal duty contributed to Jimmy Singleterry's sexual assault of Tia McGee." You deserve to finally hold accountable the people who harmed you and the institution that allowed abuse to happen over and over again. Using this site or communicating with our law firm affiliates through this site does not form an attorney/client relationship. The Ranch intends to fully defend itself against these claims.. Law.com Compass includes access to our exclusive industry reports, combining the unmatched expertise of our analyst team with ALMs deep bench of proprietary information to provide insights that cant be found anywhere else. Bigman said these families should never have gone through what happened to them. However, the fact that abuse was allowed to continue at Devereux facilities for 25 years, even through initiatives that were supposed to prevent abuse, is telling. Jimmy Carter. Him holding us and comforting us., Man who lost wife, son in Texas mass shooting tells story, Trump accuser defends rape claim after judge denies mistrial, Michael J. Victims told members of the Devereux staff and a social worker about the sexual abuse while it was happening. Opinion -- Taylor v. The Devereux Foundation (Ga.).pdf. Editing by Vaqas Asghar. Candidates must have general We are seeking an attorney to join our commercial finance practice in either our Stamford, Hartford or New Haven offices. He would gain access to her room through her window. Robert L. Lieff, Founder & Former Partner. The complaint details multiple alleged violations of state . Kline & Specter Adds Abuse of Process Allegations Against Bosworth, Claims Ex-Associate Weaponized Social Media for Economic Attacks, State Legislators Unveil New Anti-Hate Crime Bills, Amtrak Worker Files Wrongful Termination Suit Over Allegedly False Drug Test, Questions Abound Following Right-to-Know Law Decision Involving Student Records, Law Firm Leadership's Guide to Strategic Implementation of GPT-4, Law.com Editors and Analysts Offer Top Trends to Watch for 2023, State of the Industry: What a Difference a Year Makes, Consulting Women Leaders in Technology 2023, COMMERCIAL FINANCE ATTORNEY - CT OFFICES; REMOTE will be considered. The current lawsuit is seeking damages and preventing the facility from allowing any additional abuse to continue across its many locations. Sign up for our free summaries and get the latest delivered directly to you. God is the only way that were getting through, one of the childrens mothers said. Report features extensive commentary from Lieff Cabraser partner Annika K. Martin, who represents the plaintiffs in the proposed minor abuse class action against Devereux Behavioral Health. Thus, the trial court's orders were affirmed. We currently three cookies that relate solely to the functioning of the cookie compliance policy. Georgia Supreme Court . This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas. Stephen B.Devereaux. The portions of The Legal Examiner Affiliate Network maintained and operated by law firms are Legal Advertising. If you were abused at Devereux, now is the time to tell your story. These cases scream out for answers. The Inquirer article prompted the Philadelphia Department of Human Services and Community Behavioral Health to launch its own Devereux investigation. She alleges that she was heavily medicated when he pulled her into a room. Copyright 2023 ALM Global, LLC. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. 317.636.6481. . After six weeks, the department removed 53 children from Devereux facilities, with 34 still remaining primarily at the parents request. According to Martin, the Lieff Cabraser/Sauder Schelkopf action is the only class action so far on file against Devereux. . Though now an adult, she had been only 15 years old at the time of the abuse when she was receiving treatment at a Devereux facility in Georgia. As reported by Law.com (subscription), lawsuits against the Devereux Foundation (a/k/a Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health) are growing in number over allegations that the nonprofit, specializing in treating children with intellectual disabilities, mental disorders, and trauma, was negligent and failed to protect residents from being physically and sexually abused by staffers at its facilities in multiple locations across the U.S. According to an August 2020 investigation by The Philadelphia Inquirer, Devereux staff sexually assaulted at least 41 different children over the last 25 years at facilities across eight different states. She was charged Sept. 26 with battery and child abuse without great bodily harm and is being held at the Brevard County Jail. Two teenage girls living at the Devereux Georgia Treatment Network in Kennesaw are accused of sexually assaulting another teenage resident of the facility on Feb. 5. Corey Davis reports on Action News at 5 on Sept. 18, 2019. 13 Investigates had a chance to look deeper into the Devereux Behavioral Health Facility. Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health has an overall rating of 3.0 out of 5, based on over 838 reviews left anonymously by employees. Last year, Winne spoke with lawyers Mark Johnson and Nicole Bigman, who represent the families in two of the suits. The Georgia Supreme Court concluded that Taylor did not satisfy her burden of proving there was a "clear and palpable" conflict between the statute and the Georgia Constitution. This initiative is currently sponsored by Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP. Attorney Zulu Ali Renamed Top Ten Criminal & Immigration Lawyer by Attorney & Pr PVA Cal San Diego to Support Paul Ehline Motorcycle Ride Lytle Creek, SEDA Experts Expands its Forensic Accounting Expert Witness Practice, Meet Dr. Jason A. Shackelford, the Attorney Bringing Justice to Missouri, Access to the entire ALM network of websites, Unlimited access to the ALM suite of newsletters, Build custom alerts on any search topic of your choosing. Victims may have grounds for compensation. Court records documented instances of management failing to act on warning signs of potential sexual abuse as well as a lack . (888) 997-3792 Civil Lawsuits For Sexual Abuse at Behavioral Health Centers Sex abuse victim lawyer Marc Lenahan represents victims and their families in civil lawsuits against sexual predators and negligent third parties. One survivor of sexual abuse at a Devereux facility in Georgia was awarded $60 million$10 million in damages plus $50 million in punitive damagesby a jury in November 2019, according to the Marietta Daily Journal. One survivor of sexual abuse at a Devereux facility in Georgia was awarded $60 million$10 million in damages plus $50 million in punitive damagesby a jury in November 2019, according to the Marietta Daily Journal. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. These decreasing qualifications are certainly part of the larger, industry-wide problem of abuse. That brought the total known victim count to 54. Failure to provide a sufficient amount of security can lead to the facility being considered negligent. WNYT-TV, LLC 13 Former Devereux Residents Sue Foundation for Sexual Assault, Ga. Supreme Court Set to Eye Bid to Upend Punitive Damages Cap After Series of Trial Court Rulings, Jury Hits Penn Medicine With Record $182.7M Verdict, Pa. Laurence: What legal options do victims sexually abused by a healthcare employee have? After two employees at a behavioral health facility in Red Hook were charged in relation to a teenagers death, 13 Investigates had a chance to look deeper into the Devereux Behavioral Health Facility. What Contributed To A 16-Year High In Traffic Deaths? Devereux abuse lawsuit claims are ongoing. In Philadelphia alone, where Devereux is headquartered, over 50 cases were consolidated just last week for discovery purposes, and in April 2022 a proposed class action filed by Lieff Cabraser and Philadelphia firm Sauder Schelkopf in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania defeated a motion to dismiss filed by the defendants. Unlimited access to The Legal Intelligencer, Access to additional free ALM publications, 1 free article* across the ALM subscription network every 30 days, Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications. Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. You may have felt powerless before, but now, you dont have to keep silent. Boys and girls as young as 12 had been abused, according to the Inquirers investigation. You can stand in solidarity with the dozens of other people whose trust was broken by what happened to them at Devereux. Any use of this website is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Disclaimer. Two employees of the Devereux New York school in Red Hook are accused of submitting records stating a 14-year-old student in their care was in good health roughly 40 minutes after his . Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The first time, she called 911 after taking his cell phone, but she did not report the second incident. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas. About Us| Some local parents claim their kids were sexually assaulted inside, and the lawsuits raise issues about whether the childrens home should have protected them. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team. What the 2019 law didnt do was extend the time to file a lawsuit for survivors of prior child sexual abuseonly new instances of abuse. U.S. District Judge Janis Jack says she will give state officials until May to make progress on her orders to overhaul the state's foster care system, or face hefty fines. Founded in 1912 by Helena Devereux, we operate a comprehensive national network of clinical, therapeutic, educationa Read More Contact Who is Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Headquarters 444 Devereux Dr, Villanova, Pennsylvania, 19085, United States Phone Number (610) 520-3000 Website www.devereux.org Revenue $97.2M Industry Hospitals & Clinics The lawsuit, involving 12 women and one man, was filed Monday in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court. When allegations came to light in August 2020 that dozens of children had been physically and sexually abused by employees of Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, the news left readers stunned. No matter when it may have happened. Eagle Ranch issued a statement about the lawsuits, saying, We strongly deny the claims made in each lawsuit and believe the claims are meritless. Site Map, Advertise| Additionally, prior results do not guarantee future outcomes. We do not engage in client data-sharing. A dead body found dumped and possibly dismembered in a bag outside a home in rural Georgia has led to the arrest of a man in the neighboring state of South Carolina . Alvaria, Inc. We felt like we hit the jackpot with Eagle Ranch honestly in the beginning, she said. Fill out our form below to see how you can help seek justice. Let's Talk About your Case! In late September 2020, the City of Philadelphia announced that it would remove 53 children from Devereux facilities, according to WHYY. Atlanta: +1 404 572 4735. sdevereaux@kslaw.com. What does that mean for you? Get free summaries of new Supreme Court of Georgia opinions delivered to your inbox! BenefitsPro Broker Expo will help attendees prepare for new issues, embrace new challenges and find new solutions. The Devereux Foundation, will now proceed to discovery. Fox says it's 'very possible' he 'did some damage' in the '80s as he speculates about what contributed to his Parkinson's disease, 'Waste of time': Community college transfers derail students. These can include video monitoring surveillance to prevent it from happening in the common areas. A prominent North Georgia ranch for kids in crisis is facing three lawsuits, each raising issues about whether the facility has adequate safeguards to prevent youth-on-youth sexual abuse. Her bond is set at $2,000. 2023 georgians for lawsuit reform. Tornado activity: Devereux-area historical tornado activity is slightly below Georgia state average.It is 0% greater than the overall U.S. average.. On 11/22/1992, a category F4 (max. Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas. A civil lawsuit may be aimed at both the direct perpetrators and the facility if it can be proved it acted negligently. Young adults who suffered sexual abuse between the ages of 18 and 23 could sue until they turned 30. Contact Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. At Devereux Georgia, we believe in the unique strengths and talents of the individuals we serve. The suit said that weeks after the first sexual incident, another inappropriate sexual encounter occurred. George Gorham, a former employee of Devereux Foundation, has filed suit against the behavioral-health agency for alleged wrongful termination due to his sexual orientation. Her story is just the beginning. We want to help you. To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog: Your first step to building a free, personalized, morning email brief covering pertinent authors and topics on JD Supra: [Ongoing] Read Latest COVID-19 Guidance, All Aspects, [Hot Topic] Environmental, Social & Governance. Devereux abuse lawsuit claims are ongoing. Copyright 2023 ALM Global, LLC. Devereux Georgia is a provider established in Kennesaw, Georgia operating as a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility. Deveruex has put all of these individuals at a heightened risk of physical, sexual and emotional abuse because of the inadequate policy enforcement that Devereux has from the top, explained Martin. Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health is Focus of Lawsuits Helping Abuse Survivors. On 02/25/2021 Greenberg filed a Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice lawsuit against The Devereux Foundation, Inc.This case was filed in U.S. District Courts, Georgia Northern District Court. Law.com Compass includes access to our exclusive industry reports, combining the unmatched expertise of our analyst team with ALMs deep bench of proprietary information to provide insights that cant be found anywhere else. "There is nothing abstract about the harm of being confined to an institutional environment with allegedly deficient hiring, retention, supervision, and incident response policiespolicies that have, according to the [first amended complaint], caused plaintiffs to suffer repeated incidents of abuse and that by all accounts remain in place, U.S. District Judge Anita Brody wrote. These cookies do not store any personal information. In late October 2020, Rep. Kristine C. Howard of Chester County released a statement about the Devereux child abuse scandal in which she said, I cannot say that I expected these revelations, but I cannot say that they are surprising and expressed concern about the steadily decreasing qualifications for work with children, the disabled, in special education, etc..
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