Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-azd-3_07-cv-08030/USCOURTS-azd-3_07-cv-08030-0/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 360
Nature of Suit: Other Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:1346 Wrongful Death

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NOT FOR PUBLICATION

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

Thomcita Yazzie, et al., 

Plaintiffs, 

vs.

Jeehdeez’a Academy Inc., a.k.a. Low

Mountain School, et al., 

Defendants. 

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No. CV-07-8030-PHX-FJM

ORDER

Defendant United States of America—in place of Jeehdeez’a Academy, Inc. (a tribally

controlled school in Chinle, Arizona), the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the United States

Department of the Interior—moves to dismiss this action filed pursuant to the Federal Tort

Claims Act (“FTCA”), 28 U.S.C. §§ 1346(b), 2671–80. The court has before it defendant’s

motion to dismiss (doc. 18), plaintiff’s response (doc. 19), and defendant’s reply (doc. 20).

 Plaintiff was required to present her claim to the appropriate federal agency prior to

suing under the FTCA. 28 U.S.C. § 2675(a). Plaintiff bears the burden of establishing that

her claim was so presented, and an affidavit that the claim was mailed to the Bureau of

Indian Affairs is insufficient. Vacek v. U.S. Postal Serv., 447 F.3d 1248, 1252 (9th Cir.

2006) (mailbox rule does not apply to FTCA claims). Because plaintiff has failed to

establish exhaustion of administrative remedies, we shall dismiss the claim without prejudice.

Case 3:07-cv-08030-FJM Document 21 Filed 10/22/07 Page 1 of 2
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IT IS ORDERED GRANTING defendant’s motion to dismiss (doc. 18). The clerk

is instructed to enter final judgment for defendant.

DATED this 19th day of October, 2007.

Case 3:07-cv-08030-FJM Document 21 Filed 10/22/07 Page 2 of 2