In the custodial death report (CDR) for Nancy Crystal Lopez, the summary of how her May 5, 2023, death occurred provides many details about what happened in Atascosa County Jail in Jourdanton, Texas. It says Ms. Lopez was placed in a detox cell initially but then was moved to a holding cell. At 5:17 AM on May 3, she appeared to have a seizure in the holding cell. Corrections Officers responded to the incident, and Ms. Lopez was placed in a wheelchair in the open booking area while officers monitored her closely. Because she was urinating on herself, officers took her to the dress-out area of the jail. After Ms. Lopez was “changed out,” they moved her to a safety cell.

An Autopsy Shows that a County Jail Inmate Died of the Effects of Heroin Withdrawal Continued

Although the inmate was not given an IV, he was given more Gatorade and medication that included Clonidine, Hydroxyzine, Acetaminophen, Pepto-Bismol, Loperamide and Promethazine. On his second day in jail, his blood pressure dropped from 110/71 at 2:29 AM to 83/60 just before midnight. He was again given Gatorade, but the situation didn’t improve. By 2:20 AM on his third day of incarceration, he became too weak to walk. He was taken to a medical treatment area in a wheelchair. But he was then returned to his cell, where the deterioration of his physical condition continued.

Notes taken from medical records show that when a nurse and a deputy visited his cell to administer medication, he fell multiple times and had difficulty standing. After dropping his medication, he was assisted to his bed. The nurse then gave him the medicine that had been dropped. The nurse left the cell, though she had not taken his vitals or provided any further treatment

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, and this continuing series.

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–Guest Contributor