The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office filed a custodial death report on Eric Dominguez, who died on December 16, 2021, at age 35. The report indicates that the morning of his death, Mr. Dominguez had collapsed when medications were being dispensed. He was given a medical evaluation and then was released back to his cell before being found nonresponsive.

Continuing on the story about the pregnant inmate, her repeated requests for a doctor appointment were allegedly ignored. A few weeks passed, and she began experiencing pain from cramping. After she saw a blood clot in the toilet, she sent the jail staff an electronic message. She described what had been happening and said that she felt no movement from her babies for more than 24 hours.

A few hours after sending the request, a nurse advised her that she would be able to see a doctor during the next available appointment. Three days later, she was seen by a physician’s assistant (PA). The PA diagnosed her with a bladder infection and provided treatment. The following day, the inmate was sitting on the toilet when she delivered a stillborn child.

After sending a message to the jail nurse about what had just happened, she received a curt reply that added to her distress.

Eventually, an expose on medical care for prisoners provided by third parties was done and revealed that a cost-driven program required medical staff members to refuse and deny medical treatment when possible and avoid any transfers to receive offsite medical attention.

Learn more in Part 1 and this continuing series.

There is no intention on this website to infer that wrongs have occurred on the part of individuals or institutions. Helping inmates in Texas county jails is the purpose of each of the posts added to this site.

–Guest Contributor