In plaintiff’s case against several defendants arising from a custody case in which the Illinois state court found that she suffered from Munchausen syndrome by proxy, district court’s dismissal of her suit is affirmed where: 1) guardians ad litem and court-appointed experts, including psychiatrists, are absolutely immune from liability for damages when they act at the court’s direction; 2) no factual allegations tie the defendants, who are private individuals, to a conspiracy with a state actor; and 3) district court did not abuse its discretion in denying plaintiff’s Rule 59(e) motion.    

Read Cooney v. Rossiter, No. 08-3675

Appeals from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division

Argued August 27, 2009Decided September 30, 2009

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Before Bauer, Posner, and Wood  Circuit Judges

Opinion by Posner, Circuit Judge

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