Officials deny responsibility for tree-limb death

CONYERS - Rockdale County officials said they are not responsible for the death of a 2-year-old girl who was hit by a falling tree limb in a county park. <br> <br> The parents of Hannah Helms allege the county knew dead tree limbs were a problem at Pine Log Park and failed to warn visitors or close the park. They are asking the county for more than $200,000 in damages. <br> <br> A 9-foot pine branch crushed Hannah&#39;s skull while she was on a playground slide in April 2001. Her mother, Pepper Helms, received minor injuries. <br> <br> In court papers filed Thursday, officials said they ``had knowledge of the natural conditions existing within the park, but had no knowledge of any unreasonable risk of harm.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> ``Any risk of a tree limb falling was an open and obvious condition of nature,&#39;&#39; the document said, ``and it is a condition for which no warning sign was necessary.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Named as defendants in the lawsuit are Larry Kaiser, Rockdale&#39;s director of public services and engineering; Linda Evans, head of the Parks and Recreation Department; and David Smith, an assistant director to Evans.