Dallas County, Texas Jail Death: Mario Rios

The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office, in Dallas, Texas, filed a report regarding the custodial death of Mario Rios. Mr. Rios was 54 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 Saturday July 22, 2023, at approximately 9:55 p.m., a Dallas County Sheriff Detention Service Officer (DSO) was conducting a physical round at the Gill-Hernandez Medical Facility tank NG01, located within the Dallas County North Tower Jail Facility, 111 W. Commerce Street, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas 75207-4313. During this time, the DSO observed Dallas County Inmate Mario Rios W/M XX/XX/1969 (Decedent) Booking Number XXXXXXXX with what appeared to be blood coming from his mouth. Medical assistance was requested. The Decedent was assigned as a Medical status inmate at the Gill-Hernandez Medical Facility located within the Dallas County North Tower Jail Facility. At approximately 9:58 p.m., Parkland Jail Health Medical Staff Members responded to the Decedent’s bedside and moments later, initiated chest compressions. At approximately 10:17 p.m., Dallas Fire Rescue personnel arrived to Rios’s bedside, they continued chest compressions, and subsequently transported the Decedent to Parkland Memorial Hospital. On Sunday, July 23, 2023, at 8:16 a.m., Parkland Memorial Medical Doctor Haley Belt pronounced Mario Rios as deceased and diagnosed him with Cardic Arrest with underlying Hemorrhagic Shock. On Monday July 24, 2023, an autopsy was performed by Medical Examiner Steve Hastings with the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office. The results of the examination are currently pending. DSO SVC #23-041501 Dallas County Medical Examiner ISF#23-14108.”

The report provides no additional information regarding any ongoing issues with Mr. Rios or whether he was receiving medical treatment. The report does indicate that Mr. Rios exhibited medical problems.

The Constitution requires Texas county jails to provide medical care to detainees. If jailers are indifferent to medical needs of a detainee, and a detainee dies as a result, then family members can possibly file a federal civil rights lawsuit. Our Texas jail neglect and abuse law firm is litigating a number of such lawsuits. 

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.