Parents of Glenbard South foreign exchange student file wrongful death lawsuit

The parents of a 15-year-old Glenbard South High School foreign exchange student have filed a lawsuit against the Downers Grove man charged in her death.

Francis Emanuele, 38, of the 6100 bock of Carpenter Street, was charged in October 2016 with drug-induced homicide, manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, indecent solicitation of a child, grooming and possession of child pornography. He is currently in home confinement and free on a $1 million bond.

The suit, filed April 30 in DuPage County, seeks monetary damages in excess of $50,000. Also named in the lawsuit are his wife, Daniella Emanuele, and the Council for Educational Travel United States of America. The couple was a host family for the company.

The victim was introduced to Francis Emanuele through another foreign exchange student who was living with Emanuele and his family, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. On May 3, 2016, the victim informed her host parents, who reside in Glen Ellyn, that she did not feel well enough to attend school that day and returned to her bedroom. At about 6:40 p.m., she was found unresponsive and not breathing in her bed, according to the State's Attorney's Office.

The host parents immediately contacted the Glen Ellyn Police Department, which led an investigation into the girl’s death. In the girl’s bedroom, investigators allegedly found an oral syringe with a small amount of clear liquid and a prescription bottle that contained a small amount of clear liquid. Lab tests identified the clear liquid as methadone.

An investigation also revealed Francis Emanuele allegedly was in possession of lewd pornographic photographs of the girl, according to the State's Attorney's Office. The suit alleges Emanuele delivered a substance containing methadone to the victim on or prior to May 3, 2016. Authorities have said that not only did Emanuele allegedly supply the girl with the drug, but he also instructed her on how to ingest it.

According to the suit, the victim often was a guest in the couple's home and was "solicited to engage in sexual relations" by Francis Emanuele. The suit also charges Danielle Emanuele "knew or in the exercise of reasonable care should have known that Francis Emanuele had the propensity to act in a negligent, violent and sexually explicit manner toward minor children, including [the victim]."

The suit also alleges the Council for Educational Travel United States of America "failed to properly investigate the background of Francis Emanuele" and "failed to supervise [the victim] while she was in his presence."