John A. Porter, a Minor, by His Guardian Ad Litem, Mrs. Alvarene Jones v. United States of America, Cecil W. Porter v. United States

These suits were brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act against the United States, one by John A. Porter, a twelve year old boy, through his guardian ad litem, and one by the boy’s father, to recover damages for injuries sustained by the boy in June, 1954 when a hand grenade fuse or detonator of army origin, which he had found near his home, exploded in his hand. The question for decision is whether the government was negligent in its care and custody of its explosives so that the detonator came into the boy’s possession. The District Judge found no negligence on the part of the United…