Family gets $12M after boy died from carbon monoxide at Boone motel

Attorneys say the family of a boy who died from carbon monoxide poisoning at a Best Western hotel in Boone in 2013 has agreed to settle wrongful death and injury lawsuits.

The family's attorneys said in a news release Monday that they agreed to settle the suits against the hotel chain and other parties for $12 million.

Jeffrey Williams died from carbon monoxide leaking from a swimming pool heating system. His mother, Jeannie Williams, suffered serious injuries.

Daryl and Shirley Jenkins had died in the same room six weeks earlier, but officials didn't immediately identify carbon monoxide escaping from the swimming pool heating system located below the room as the cause of death.

"Now, the Williams can continue speaking out and working to make sure this does not happen to another family. No other parents should have to suffer as the Williams have," attorney C. Bailey King said in a statement.

The Williams family founded the nonprofit Jeffrey Lee Williams Foundation to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

A Best Western spokeswoman said the chain denies liability but has thoughts and prayers for the family and friends of those affected.