Brandon Alexander Dominguez, Just 23 Years Old, Dies After Being in Denton County, Texas Jail

The Denton County Sheriff’s Office, in Denton, Texas, filed a report with the Attorney General of Texas regarding the death of Brandon Alexander Dominguez. Mr. Dominguez was only 23 years old at the time of his death. We provide information we obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.

The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“On August 17, 2021, Inmate Dominguez went into medical distress and became unresponsive. Denton County Health Department medical personnel responded. Inmate Dominguez appeared to be in cardiac arrest and life-saving measures were initiated. Denton Fire Department EMS was notified, responded and continued life-saving measures. Inmate Dominguez was transported to Medical City Denton (hospital facility) where a pulse was detected and life-saving measures were continued. While at the hospital facility, Inmate Dominguez tested positive for Covid-19 and also diagnosed with possible Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Inmate Dominguez was subsequently was placed on life support. Inmate Dominguez’s family was notified of his health status. Inmate Dominguez was released from custody on August 17, 2021 at 12:55PM on a $2,500 Personal Recognizance bond ordered by District Judge Sherry Shipman. On August 18, 2021, the family of Inmate Dominguez terminated life-saving measures and Inmate Dominguez subsequently died on August 18, 2021 at 07:53PM.”

The report also indicates that Mr. Dominguez exhibited mental health problems. The report does not indicate anything about whether Mr. Dominguez was receiving insulin and/or other medication for treatment of diabetes. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious complication that can be life threatening. It is most common with people who have Type 1 diabetes, but people with Type 2 diabetes can also develop diabetic ketoacidosis. The malady develops when a person’s body does not have enough insulin to allow blood sugar into a person’s cells. Unfortunately, other people have died in county jails as a result of diabetic ketoacidosis.

The 14^th Amendment to the United States Constitution requires Texas county jailers to provide medical care to pre-trial detainees. If jailers are deliberately indifferent to a person’s medical needs, and the person dies as a result, then Texas and federal law provide that certain family members may be able to bring claims in a lawsuit. Such claims include wrongful death claims and/or survival claims. Cities and counties can also be liable for the death of an inmate if their policies, practices, and/or customs resulted in the death.

Written By: Dean Malone

Dean Malone

Dean Malone is the founder of Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C., a jail neglect civil rights law firm. Mr. Malone earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Texas at Dallas, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA, and from Baylor University School of Law with a general civil litigation concentration. Mr. Malone served in several staff positions for the Baylor Law Review, including executive editor. Mr. Malone is an experienced trial lawyer, trying a number of cases to jury verdict and also handling arbitrations through final hearing. He heads the jail neglect section of his law firm, in which lawyers litigate cases involving serious injury and death resulting from jail neglect and abuse. Lawyers frequently refer cases to Mr. Malone due to his focus on this very complicated civil rights practice area.