In a case with some deeply disturbing details, former NFL offensive lineman Rich Tylski and his wife have been ordered to pay $1.25 million to the girl they adopted and later were accused of abusing.
In an order released today, Circuit Judge Hugh Carithers said it was clear that Tylski and his wife, Jane Tylski, physically assaulted, battered and inflicted emotional distress on their daughter. The judge wrote that the Tylskis “admitted to . . . striking her with a belt, hitting her with a wooden spoon, placing ‘hot sauce’ on her tongue, bending her fingers backwards, and otherwise striking her.”
The girl, now 10, was taken from the Tylskis and lives with another adopted family.
As a couple, the Tylskis must pay $1 million in compensatory damages. Jane Tylski, who pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse after she was accused of breaking the girl’s finger and leg, was ordered to pay an additional $250,000 in punitive damages.
According to the judge’s order, the injuries caused permanent physical and emotional damage to the girl.
Rich Tylski played for the Jaguars from 1996 to 1999, for the Steelers in 2000 and 2001 and for the Panthers in 2004.