Taylor County and the Abilene, Texas, Sheriff’s Office are Sued in a 2015 Death of an Inmate
A lawsuit seeking $4 million was filed by Iris Guerrero, aunt of the late Cynthia Ann Cortez, in April 2017. Guerrero’s lawsuit accuses the Abilene Sheriff’s Office and Taylor County of neglecting care of her niece. Cortez had been arrested on April 16, 2015, on a drug-related felony warrant and was subsequently incarcerated at the Taylor County Jail. Approximately 11 hours after her arrest, staff members at the jail allegedly heard complaints from inmates that Cortez was sweating, shaking, and had become delirious. At about 4:20 am on April 17, a fellow inmate reported to officers that Cortez had overdosed on methamphetamine. An ambulance arrived at the jail by 4:57 am. During transport, the woman’s heart stopped numerous times. She was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at the hospital.
Court documents allege that Cortez consumed an overdose of methamphetamine at the time law enforcement officers pulled her over, in order to prevent the officers from discovering drugs in her possession. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants in this case were already aware that Cortez was a known methamphetamine user. Cortez allegedly displayed obvious signs of drug intoxication and the arresting officers allegedly failed in their duty to properly screen, transport observe, and/or treat her for an overdose of drugs.
The lawsuit further alleges that Cortez completed a screening for mental and medical impairments and for suicide. The lawsuit asserts that the county employee who filled out the form made a note that Cortez had possible “mental retardation” or “mental illness” but failed to indicate that Cortez was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
In addition, the lawsuit alleges that Cortez was obviously unable to comply with the requirement to submit a written request in order to see medical personnel; the claim is that she was too incoherent, incapacitated, and in pain to comply.
The primary basis of the suit is that Cortez did not receive reasonable medical care because of alleged failure of jail staff to properly observe her condition.
–Guest Contributor
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