Steven Hildebrand Died the Day He Entered Howard County Jail
Steven Glen Hildebrand was booked into Howard County Jail in Big Springs, Texas, at 10:15 a.m. on March 10, 2024. He died on the same day approximately 9 hours later at 7:00 p.m. The custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Hildebrand was due to be filed within 30 days. However, the Howard County Sheriff’s Office filed the CDR on June 6, 2024. Mr. Hildebrand’s medical cause of death is shown as acute methamphetamine intoxication.
There is No Mention That Steven Hildebrand Was Given Medical Attention
In the summary of how Mr. Hildebrand’s death occurred, it states that detention officers were unable to get answers to the intake questionnaires from him successfully. He was placed in detox cell 143 at 10:33 a.m. Mr. Hildebrand, according to the CDR, was not given medical attention, though he was seen rolling around and slapping the floor and sometimes on his knees or his feet—all the while grunting. This behavior was observed through “the duration of shifts.”
At 7:07 p.m. Officer Valentin Garcia noticed that Mr. Hildebrand was no longer moving. Officer Raul Guerra was called over to assist and confirm Officer Garcia’s observation. Next, they entered the cell and tried to get Mr. Hildebrand to respond, but he was unresponsive. They “notified chain” and cardiopulmonary resuscitation began and continued until emergency medical services (EMS) arrived on the scene. It was established that Mr. Hildebrand was deceased, and the scene was secured. Mr. Hildebrand was only 55 years old.
The address of Howard County Jail is 3611 Hwy 80 in Big Spring, Texas 79720. The jail has a bed capacity of 96.
When Inmates Experience a Drug Overdose or Alcohol Withdrawal, Can They Be Saved?
Overdose deaths have been occurring in the U.S. in record-breaking numbers in recent years, including in jails. In 2021, more than 100,000 people died from opioids and other drugs. Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) can often save individuals experiencing an overdose. NARCAN® is a nasal spray that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. If administered quickly enough, it revives someone during an overdose of many pain medications and street drugs, such as heroin and fentanyl.
Certain treatments, if administered, can save detainees in local jails. CPR alone could save many lives. Tragically, inmates experiencing a drug overdose are sometimes victims of jail medical neglect. There have been times when detainees going through alcohol withdrawal were severely dehydrated and would have survived with nothing more than an intravenous line (IV) supplying fluids, but the fluids weren’t provided.
Contact The Law Offices of Dean Malone About Jail Neglect Resulting in a Death
Suppose you suspect that your loved one died in a Texas jail because of jail neglect. In that case, contacting an attorney with years of experience representing families in custodial death cases is important. Attorney Dean Malone works with a team in his law office dedicated to helping families in that tragic situation. We also hope to help former Texas county and municipal jail detainees who suffered abuse or neglect to the extent that they are, as a result, suffering life-altering injuries.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us. It is best to begin investigations as soon as possible. Contact us 24/7 via phone call, text, or our online form for a free case review.
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