Duane Ventimiglia Dies on Day 6 in Bexar County Jail

Forty-year-old Duane Ventimiglia was booked into Bexar County Jail on April 13, 2024. He was pronounced deceased just 5 days later on April 18. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Javier Salazar filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Ventimiglia on April 23, 2024.

Two basic questions taken during booking in Texas jails are whether the detainee exhibited any mental health problems or any medical problems. To those questions, the CDR says “Unknown” as regards Mr. Ventimiglia at the time he went through intake. No other information in the CDR makes an indication of a health problem of any kind that might help explain his dying on his 6th day in jail. Mr. Ventimiglia’s cause of death is unknown and pending the results of an autopsy.

Bexar County Jail is at 200 N. Comal in San Antonio, TX 75142.

Preventing Withdrawal Deaths in U.S. Jails

If acute substance withdrawal is not appropriately addressed, the result can be serious health complications and death. Obviously, this is an important matter. Deaths and suffering caused by withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, and other substances are preventable. In 2023, the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) published an invaluable resource to help jails address withdrawal, which many detainees experience.

Withdrawal Management by Qualified Health Care Professionals

Anyone booked into jail is entitled to the same necessary medical care no matter their custody level or classification. The following are some of the recommendations for withdrawal management in jails by qualified healthcare professionals:

• Do not delay the treatment of a detainee in withdrawal while awaiting completion of clinical assessments or laboratory results.
• Although some detainees are expected to be released before the completion of withdrawal management, treatment should not be delayed for that reason.
• Withdrawal from opioids, alcohol, and sedatives can be severe and possibly life-threatening. There is no way to be certain of the intensity of withdrawal a patient might experience. Based on patient-specific orders from the health provider, qualified healthcare professionals should conduct frequent clinical assessments.
• The frequency of the clinical assessments made by qualified healthcare professionals should be no less than twice per day and not more than 16 hours apart unless otherwise stated in substance-specific guidance herein.
• The following are among the things that should be evaluated during each clinical assessment by a qualified healthcare professional:
  • Vital signs
  • Hydration
  • General physical condition
  • Orientation
  • Sleep
  • Mental health status including risk for suicide and self-harm

When a Loved One Dies in Jail

Suppose a family member died in a U.S. jail and you have reasons to suspect that jail neglect, such as jail medical neglect, was responsible for the tragedy. In that case, contact an experienced jail neglect attorney right away. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we have years of experience in jail neglect cases.

Call today, text, or fill out our online form. We are available to you 24/7.

Written By: smchugh

smchugh