Michael Stewart Dies After Incarceration in Randall County Jail
Michael Glenn Stewart was booked into Randall County Jail on December 26, 2023. He died in the custody of the jail on July 23, 2024. The Randall County Sheriff’s Office filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Stewart on August 20, 2024, and it indicates that the cause of Mr. Stewart’s death was “acute renal failure with sepsis and septic shock.” The address of the Randall County Jail is 1501 Coulter St., Amarillo, TX 79106. The jail has a bed capacity of 454.
What is Sepsis?
When the body’s immune system has an extreme response to an infection or injury, a dangerous condition known as sepsis can develop. Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that can worsen unpredictably and rapidly. What happens is that the infection-fighting processes turn on the body. Sepsis can lead to organ dysfunction, multiple organ failure, shock, and death. It’s important to note that the early treatment of sepsis greatly improves the chances for survival.
Infections in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, digestive system, bloodstream, or skin can result in sepsis. These and other types of infection can lead to severe sepsis and septic shock. “Blood poisoning” is a term often used instead of sepsis, though blood poisoning isn’t an accurate description of sepsis.
Symptoms of Sepsis
The symptoms of sepsis can vary from one person to the next, and children may respond differently to sepsis compared to adults. Some of they symptoms that can be evidence of sepsis include:
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Shivering
- Mental status changes
- Sweating for no apparent reason
- Symptoms specific to the type of infection causing the sepsis, such as a worsening cough from pneumonia or experiencing pain during urination caused by a urinary tract infection.
If treatment for sepsis is lacking, an individual may progress to septic shock, which increases the risk of death. With septic shock, a severe drop in blood pressure occurs. Other symptoms of septic shock include:
- Strong sleepiness or hard time staying awake
- Not capable of standing up
- Extreme confusion occurs or some other major change in mental status
If a Person Dies of Sepsis in Jail, There Might be Fault
In jails, where detainees are supposed to receive medical attention, detainees should be treated for sepsis and/or its development. Investigation into many custodial deaths show that if inmates have small infections, they are often made light of by jail staff. Treatment with antibiotics can usually divert the development of sepsis and, ultimately, septic shock.
A Law Firm Committed to Supporting Inmates and Their Families
At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we have dedicated many years to addressing cases involving jail neglect, abuse, and suicide. Our experienced team helps the families of individuals who may have lost their lives in county or municipal jails due to medical neglect. We have handled sepsis jail death cases. Additionally, if you are a former detainee in Texas and have endured serious, life-changing injuries because of jail abuse or neglect, we encourage you to reach out for a free consultation.
We are available around the clock via phone, text, or our online form. If you or a loved one has been affected by jail abuse or neglect resulting in death, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
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