Mclendon Caldwell Dies After Incarceration in Tarrant County Jail
Sixty-eight-year-old Mclendon Caldwell entered Tarrant County Jail on February 2, 2024. He died of unknown causes on July 12, 2024. The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) about his death on August 8, 2024.
The summary of how Mr. Caldwell’s death occurred doesn’t provide any clues about the cause. It says he was found unresponsive in his cell on July 11, 2024, and he died at John Peter Smith Hospital the next day.
The Lon Evans Corrections Center is the Tarrant County Jail facility where Mr. Caldwell was housed. The address is 600 W Weatherford St, Fort Worth, TX 76102. The Lon Evans Corrections Center has a 1,169-bed capacity.
Tarrant County Jail Allegedly Fails to Prevent Drugs from Reaching Detainees
In July 2024 news, the family of a 23-year-old man who died in Tarrant County Jail of a fentanyl overdose is seeking to hold the jail accountable. Texas jails have a duty to effectively prevent drugs from being smuggled in and getting to inmates. The safety and well-being of detainees are the sheriffs’ responsibility.
Tarrant County Jail has been called out for 25 drug-related or mental health-related deaths since 2017, which an exposé points out was the year the current sheriff took office. In addition to those 25 custodial deaths, another 65 detainees have allegedly died in the custody of the sheriff’s office since 2017.
How Do Jails Handle Mentally Ill Inmates?
Another family is raising awareness about the death of a 31-year-old man who died in the custody of Tarrant County Jail. The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office made a statement about the death, saying the man died after he was pepper sprayed during a confrontation with detention officers. The family says their loved one had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and they wanted to know the jail’s policy for dealing with mentally ill inmates.
News stories in April 2024 revealed that Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn blames the death of the schizophrenic detainee on the lack of mental health care available. He says that more needs to be done to treat mental illness among jail inmates. In addition, he pointed out that many of the issues plaguing Tarrant County Jail point to a lack of treatment for mental health issues. Previously, however, he pointed to short staffing and an increased jail population as chief contributors to the jail’s woes.
Could You Be a Victim of Jail Neglect?
Jails are obligated to ensure that all individuals are safe in their custody. If you were an inmate in a Texas jail and experienced serious injuries due to neglect, such as inadequate medical care, the Law Offices of Dean Malone is here to assist you.
With extensive experience in asserting inmates’ rights, we are dedicated to supporting those impacted by jail negligence. If you suspect that a loved one’s death in jail was due to neglect, we may be able to help you seek justice. Our dedicated team primarily focuses on cases involving jail deaths.
Reach out to us today to schedule a free case review. We’re available 24/7 by phone, text, or through our online form.
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