A mother from Ohio has launched a legal battle against a nuclear energy corporation, alleging that radiation exposure from a local uranium plant led to the tragic death of her teenage daughter a decade ago.
A Mother's Legal Fight for Justice
Julia Dunham is suing Centrus Energy, the current operator of the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon, Ohio, in a wrongful death case. The lawsuit, filed in late November 2025, centres on the death of her daughter, Cheyenne Dunham, in 2015. The Dunham family resided close to the uranium enrichment facility until Cheyenne was a teenager. According to the legal claim, during her childhood, Cheyenne played in nearby creeks and consumed food grown in the vicinity of the plant.
Cheyenne began experiencing severe health problems when she turned 16. Her condition was diagnosed as GATA Deficiency, a rare disorder that causes bone marrow failure and a weakened immune system. In one alarming incident, she was rushed to hospital after her legs turned blue, where doctors discovered blood clots in her legs and lungs.
A Pattern of Illness and Environmental Concern
In an effort to treat her condition and prevent leukemia, Cheyenne underwent two bone marrow transplants. She became gravely ill following the second procedure in February 2015. Her body ultimately rejected the transplant, and she passed away in November of that year. The lawsuit asserts that her declining health was a direct consequence of living near the plant.
The legal action references studies of the area around the closed plant, which found elevated radiation levels. One study indicated cancer rates in under-25s living near the site were three times higher than in other parts of Ohio. The lawsuit also notes Cheyenne attended Zhan’s Corner Middle School, located roughly two miles from the plant. That school was abruptly shut down in 2019 after enriched uranium was detected inside the buildings.
This case is not isolated. Julia Dunham was previously involved in a 2019 lawsuit with four other parents, who claimed the plant released radiation that contaminated their properties and put their children at risk. The Dunhams' new suit seeks a jury trial and monetary damages for funeral costs, medical expenses, and emotional distress.
Expansion Plans Amidst Legacy of Litigation
The Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant was closed in 2001 due to environmental concerns. However, in a move that contrasts sharply with the ongoing legal claims, Centrus Energy announced plans in September 2025 to expand the former uranium plant. The reported aim is to create 300 new jobs in uranium enrichment, with renovated operations hoped to begin by 2029.
The Independent has contacted Centrus Energy for comment regarding the lawsuit. The case highlights the enduring and complex legacy of industrial sites, where promises of economic renewal intersect with deep-seated community health fears and a quest for accountability.
