Findlay YMCA staff named in federal lawsuit

FINDLAY — A recently filed federal lawsuit alleges that staff at the Findlay Family YMCA harassed a mother fleeing domestic violence and violated her civil rights. The complaint, submitted in late March, names YMCA CEO Stephanie Parsons and a front-desk employee identified only as "Beth" as defendants. It seeks jury trial, damages, litigation costs and "injunctive relief requiring nondiscrimination training and policy reforms." According to court documents, plaintiff CaRissa Willis went to the YMCA in May 2025 and requested temporary access to the locker room to care for herself and her three young children, all under the age of three at the time. Willis told staff she was escaping violence and needed a brief period to clean up and regroup. The lawsuit claims Willis was in the locker room for about 80 minutes total, during which staff allegedly repeatedly entered the space, looked through the shower curtain and ordered her to hurry. Staff then contacted law enforcement. "At the time the police were called, the plaintiff had been granted entry," the complaint states. Officers allegedly treated Willis as a trespassing suspect and warned her that returning to the facility could result in arrest. Shortly after the incident, Parsons reportedly sent Willis a letter stating she entered the YMCA without authorization. Willis also requested that the YMCA preserve surveillance footage of the encounter, but the complaint alleges the organization failed to confirm whether the footage was retained. The lawsuit lists seven counts against the YMCA, including racial discrimination, violation of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent supervision, negligence and defamation. "Defendants' actions were intentional, reckless or undertaken with deliberate indifference to plaintiff's rights," the filing states. Court records indicate the case will not proceed until a paperwork error is corrected.