“A heavyset Walmart employee approached Willie Mae, called her Linda King, and told her she was a criminal, a thief, she was not welcome here, and get out,” the complaint recounted. “At first she ignored him because her name is not Linda King… The Walmart [employee] yelled at the customer service representative, saying, ‘Do not wait on her, she is a thief, she is trespassing. She is not allowed in any of our stores.'”
Escalation and Consequences
Police were called to the store, verified Willie Mae Stinson’s identity through her driver’s license, and concluded that she was not the person they were looking for. However, the Walmart employee persisted in his claims. Stinson’s condition worsened, and she collapsed into a chair, prompting her removal from the scene. Keora Stinson, her daughter, was separated from her during this ordeal and questioned about her mother’s identity.
Willie Mae Stinson spent two days in the hospital, where tests suggested symptoms of a heart attack. The traumatic incident left her great-granddaughter, Keora, suffering from anxiety and nightmares, necessitating medical care and follow-up treatments.
Allegations of Negligence
“Willie Mae Stinson was a frequent shopper at Walmart and known to the store manager,” the complaint emphasized. “There was no legitimate reason for anyone to call Willie Mae Stinson by the name Linda King. There was no legitimate reason for anyone to accuse Willie Mae Stinson of theft. The conduct was outrageous.”
