Authorities found Richardson's partial remains in a Malibu canyon nearly a year after she disappeared. The 24-year-old went missing after being released in the middle of the night from the Lost Hills-Malibu Sheriff's Station in September 2009. She had been arrested for failing to pay her bill at a Malibu restaurant.
Her mother, Latice Sutton, claims when deputies found the body, the coroner's office told them not to disturb the remains. Her lawsuit claims that deputies removed them anyway.
Sutton is seeking unspecified damages for alleged negligence and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
A sheriff's spokesman declined to comment.
