Braun v. Bellairs et al

Filing 6

MEMORANDUM OPINION re 2 Complaint. Signed by Judge Richard G. Andrews on 5/3/2013. (nms)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF DELAWARE
BRENDA LEE BRAUN,
Plaintiff,
Civ. No. 13-449-RGA

v.

ROBERT BRUCE BELLAIRS, JR.
and LISA MARIE BELLAIRS,
Defendants.

Brenda Lee Braun, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Pro Se Plaintiff.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

J,

May
2013
Wilmington, Delaware

I

~~0;~
Plaintiff Brenda Lee Braun filed this action seeking payment for destruction of
property, medical expenses, and sexual assault. She appears pro se and has been
granted leave to proceed in forma pauperis (D.l. 4). The Court proceeds to review and
screen the Complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2).
Plaintiff alleges that Defendant Bruce Bellairs, Jr. sexually abused her and sold

i
I

l
l

I
I

I
•
I

I

I
I

~·

her personal belongings when she lived in Reading, Pennsylvania." Plaintiff seeks
$6,109.00 in damages.
While the civil cover sheet asserts jurisdiction by reason of a federal question,
the Court perceives no basis for federal jurisdiction. Plaintiff was a citizen of the State

t

t

l

of Delaware at the time she filed the Complaint (she now resides in Pennsylvania);

lr

Defendants are citizens of the State of Pennsylvania; and Plaintiff alleges damages in

I

the amount of $6,109.00 Hence, the requisites for diversity jurisdiction are not met.
See 28 U.S.C. § 1332(a) (for diversity jurisdiction the matter in controversy must

exceed the sum or value of $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs). Hence, the Court
lacks subject matter jurisdiction over this matter.
In addition, it does not appear that the case is properly venued in this district. In
a civil action, venue is proper only in: (1) a judicial district where any defendant resides,
if all defendants reside in the same state; (2) a judicial district in which a substantial part
of the events or omissions giving rise to the claim occurred, or a substantial part of
property that is the subject of the action is situated; or (3) a judicial district in which any
defendant may be found, if there is no district in which the action may otherwise be

J

brought. See 28 U.S.C. § 1391 (b). Here, Defendants reside in Pennsylvania and the
events giving rise to the claim occurred in Pennsylvania.
For the above reasons, the Court will dismiss the Complaint for lack of subject

I

matter jurisdiction. Plaintiff will be given leave to amend the Complaint, in the event she
can cure the pleading deficiencies. Any amendment shall set clarify whether venue is
proper in this judicial district.

I

l

An appropriate order will be entered.

l

I

t

I

2