BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The estate of a now dead Boca Circle Rehabilitation Center resident is suing the facility’s operators, claiming neglect at the facility led to her death. Barbara Ann Poitier lived at the Boca Del Mar Drive nursing home from June 2024 until her discharge in January 2025. She died 10 days later, on January 25, 2025. Her estate, represented by personal representative Delshawn Smith-Parker, just filed the lawsuit in Palm Beach County Circuit Court.
The complaint obtained by BocaNewsNow.com names Heartland Boca Opco LLC — the company licensed to operate the facility — along with Heartland Boca Intermediate Opco Holdco LLC, Excelsior Care Group LLC, and Palm Beach Health Consulting LLC. Two former facility administrators, Katherine Ellen Hilgar and Ellie Schutt, are also named as defendants. According to the lawsuit, those companies operated as a single unit that controlled staffing, budgets and policies at the nursing home.
Attorneys for the estate allege the facility failed to keep adequate staffing levels, failed to monitor changes in Poitier’s condition, and failed to get her the medical attention she needed. The lawsuit lays out six counts, ranging from ordinary negligence to wrongful death, breach of fiduciary duty, and exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
Poitier is survived by four children — Smith-Parker, Derrick E. Poitier, Cyril M. Poitier and Shelton M. Poitier — who are listed as potential beneficiaries in the wrongful death claim. Kyle D. Ross of the Tampa-based firm Mendes, Reins & Wilander, PLLC is representing the estate. None of the named defendants had filed a response in court as of mid-day Thursday. Read the complete complaint here.
