The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office in Abilene, Texas, Faces Second Lawsuit in a Year Related to a Custodial Death
This week a lawsuit was filed against the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) in Abilene, Texas, in connection with the death of 31-year-old Amanda Nicole Scott. There are claims that her death was caused by missteps on the part of the jail staff. With this action, the TCSO is now facing its second lawsuit for a custodial death in one year. Cynthia Cortez is the other person whose family has filed a lawsuit. The circumstances surrounding these two women’s custodial deaths and the actions taken by the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office are allegedly very similar.
In April 2015, Cortez allegedly ingested methamphetamines in a large quantity just before being arrested by Taylor County police officers. After being admitted into the jail, she was later transmitted to the hospital. But on the way, she suffered a cardiac arrest and did not recover. The family alleges that the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office has a history of failing to help inmates suffering from medical needs.
And then in May 2016, Scott was pulled over by police officers. The family claims that officers witnessed her swallowing a deadly quantity of meth, for the purpose of avoiding drug charges. She was arrested for driving without a driver’s license. Allegedly, Scott was obviously intoxicated by drugs. The family claims that the jail staff did not follow proper procedures that would have ensured that she had the needed screening, transportation, and treatment. At some point, an inmate allegedly reported that Scott was overdosing. The family claims that the jail failed to summon medical assistance in time for her to survive her condition.
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