James Willard Dies in Polk County Jail on 10/19/24

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Sixty-year-old James Willard was booked into Polk County Jail in Livingston, Texas, on September 7, 2024. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office filed the custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Willard on October 25, 2024. His cause of death is unknown and awaiting the results of an autopsy. The address of Polk County Jail is 1733 N Washington Ave., Livingston, TX 77351.

The CDR suggests that Mr. Willard did not receive medical attention up to the point when he was discovered unresponsive in the multiple-occupancy cell where he was housed. On October 18, 2024, at 11:47 PM, Mr. Willard appeared to be having a seizure. Jail medical staff assessed his condition, and he was then placed in a wheelchair and escorted to the jail’s booking area.

Upon arrival in the intake area, jail personnel observed that Mr. Willard was not breathing. Lifesaving measures began immediately and included the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were dispatched to the jail. Upon arrival, they assumed lifesaving measures. At 12:31 AM on October 19, Dr. Alicia Hart of St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Hospital of Livingston, Texas, pronounced Willard deceased.

What Medical Conditions are Associated with Seizures Among Jail Inmates?

There are many potential causes for detainees in Texas jails to experience a seizure. It is conceivable that a jail may fail to provide the needed medical care for a seizure. In such instances, medical neglect may contribute to a custodial death, for which jails can be held accountable. The following are among the common causes of seizures in jails:

Dehydration can trigger a seizure. Sadly, it is not unusual for jail deaths to be associated with water.
Illness or infection often causes a detainee to experience a seizure.
Drug or alcohol abuse can cause an individual to experience a seizure for the first time, and it could lead to the development of epilepsy.
Abnormal blood sugar levels, whether very high or low, can trigger a seizure. Many detainees with diabetes have been denied their necessary insulin, resulting in seizures and, tragically, death.
Flickering or flashing lights can also initiate a seizure.
Sleep deprivation can result in a seizure. A seizure due to sleep deprivation can be the result of not sleeping well or not getting enough sleep.
Stress can cause a seizure.
Missed medication is another trigger for a seizure. Texas jails are often cited for failing to administer medications as directed in minimum jail standards.

Reach Out to the Law Offices of Dean Malone for Support in Jail Medical Neglect Cases

If you or a family member has been impacted by jail neglect, it’s important to get experienced legal assistance. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, our dedicated team is committed to assisting families who have lost loved ones in Texas jails, where neglect or denial of medical care may have played a role. We also invite former Texas jail inmates who are struggling with serious consequences of jail neglect or abuse to connect with us.

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