The Family of Devin Jaros Sues the LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office and Others over His Suicide
On September 17, 2016, 19-year-old Devin Jaros was discovered hanging in a LaSalle County jail cell in Illinois. Jaros had been incarcerated for less than a day when the suicide occurred. He was transported to a nearby hospital, and he died two days later after being taken off of life support. Physicians had informed the family that his brain would not recover. The Peoria County Coroner, Johnna L. Ingersoll, performed the autopsy. Ingersoll said the cause of death was lack of oxygen to the brain due to hanging. In late July 2017, news was released regarding complaints filed by Jaros’ family. In a civil rights suit, they are suing the sheriff, two deputies, and the county sheriff’s office. In federal court, they have filed a wrongful death complaint. They seek compensation plus legal fees, and the family demands a trial by jury.
Jaros had been arrested on felony charges of unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated fleeing and eluding. The family alleges that Jaros was deprived intentionally of his constitutional rights to equal protection and due process. They also claim that the county and named officers displayed indifference to his medical needs. The family alleges that the correctional officers failed to check on the well-being of detainees that night. They also claim that deputies were guided to engage in illegal activities, due to alleged tolerating, institutionalizing, and authorizing by the sheriff or county.
Many high-profile inmate suicide cases and police shootings of unarmed individuals have resulted in large settlement amounts with various counties across the country. For example, a family was awarded nearly $8 million after an ex-Marine committed suicide by hanging himself in jail. Last year, the family of a jail suicide victim was awarded $11.9 million.
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