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Category: Custodial Death

Anthony Villaflor Dies in the Custody of Jefferson County Jail

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Thirty-six-year-old Anthony Scott Villaflor was arrested by officers of the Port Arthur Police Department in Port Arthur, Texas, on October 4, 2024. Days later, he died in the custody of the Jefferson County Correctional Facility in pre-booking status. The custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Villaflor was filed by the Port Arthur Police Department on January 10, 2025.

The circumstances of Mr. Villaflor’s arrest indicate that he was suffering from a medical issue. He had been treated in a hospital’s emergency department. Afterward, he refused to leave and began to create a disturbance. Port Arthur police officers were called to assist Mr. Villaflor in leaving the hospital, but he refused.

After many attempts, Mr. Villaflor was taken into police custody and administered medication by a nurse. He was then placed in a patrol car, where the officers became alarmed when Mr. Villaflor stopped yelling. His health status was checked, and the officers transported Mr. Villaflor to the Jefferson County Correctional Facility.

Upon his arrival, the jail staff discovered a faint pulse or no pulse. The staff administered medical assistance, and Mr. Villaflor was returned by ambulance to a local hospital. After being treated, he was moved to a hospital in Galveston, Texas, which is where he was pronounced deceased on October 13, 2024.

The address of Jefferson County Jail aka Jefferson County Correctional Facility is 5030 US-69, Beaumont, TX 77705. The jail has an inmate capacity of 1,147.

Jail Incarceration Provides an Opportunity to Address Withdrawal

When a person with a substance use disorder (SUD) is placed in jail, it is a valuable opportunity to identify symptoms of withdrawal and address them. Inmates have a right to receive vital medical treatment. Tragically, however, research shows that between 2000 and 2019, the number of people who died in jail from drug or alcohol intoxication increased by 397%. More statistics follow:

  • The median length of stay in jail before death due to drug or alcohol intoxication was 1 day.
  • In a Pennsylvania county jail, 81% of the detainees needed detoxification treatment (half of those were for opioid use disorders).
  • One study revealed that alcohol was involved in 76% of the jail deaths related to withdrawal, which confirmed longstanding research indicating the lethality of alcohol withdrawal.

If withdrawal symptoms go untreated, the potentially serious health complications that can result include the following:

  • Seizures
  • Heart problems
  • Anxiety
  • Dehydration
  • Vomiting
  • Hallucinations
  • Hypernatremia (elevated blood sodium level)
  • Tremors
  • Death

Suicide is a serious problem in jails, being the leading cause of death among inmates in city and county jail facilities. Stimulant withdrawal exacerbates this problem, being a key factor that contributes to suicide.

Looking for Help with Jail Medical Neglect?

If you or a loved one has endured serious harm or loss of life due to medical neglect in jail, the Law Offices of Dean Malone is here to help. Individuals awaiting trial have a constitutional right to receive proper medical care. Jail officials who demonstrate deliberate indifference to the medical needs of inmates can and should be held accountable.

Reach out to us for a free case review anytime—call, text, or fill out our online form. We’re here 24/7 to support you.

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smchugh

Lubbock County Jail Detainee Lee Bolden Dies on 12/25/24

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On December 21, 2024, 64-year-old Lee Jerome Bolden was discovered with a weak pulse while he was still in the booking process at Lubbock County Jail, aka Lubbock County Detention Center. The intake officer had indicated that Mr. Bolden appeared intoxicated on drugs or alcohol and exhibited medical problems. The deputy who was completing paperwork on his entry had situated his body-worn camera in the window of the pre-booking holding cell to record Mr. Bolden.

It was after the deputy says he checked on the new detainee four to six times that jail medical staff entered the cell. After discovering his weak pulse, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was summoned, and Mr. Bolden was transported by ambulance to University Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased on Christmas Day 2024. His cause of death is unknown and awaiting autopsy results.

The Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Bolden on January 10, 2025. The CDR reveals all the information above and indicates that he died of a pre-existing medical condition.

In the summary of how the death occurred, the CDR also describes the circumstances of Mr. Bolden’s arrest. He was found leaning into the rear cargo area of a vehicle with the rear hatch pulled down on his back. A patrol deputy wasn’t sure whether he was extremely intoxicated or having a medical event. Ultimately, Mr. Bolden was arrested for public intoxication after he had refused several times to allow EMS to take him to the hospital.

The address of the Lubbock County Detention Center is 3502 N Holly Ave, Lubbock, TX 79403. The bed capacity there is just over 1,500.

A Clear Case of Medical Neglect

It is unacceptable for detainees in U.S. jails to be treated cruelly and with complete indifference toward basic needs. Yet, medical neglect and abuse often occur in jails. In recent months, a story was released about the January 2023 custodial death of a 33-year-old man in a Walker County, Alabama, jail. The man was mentally handicapped, and jailers left him naked and without bedding in a concrete cell known to be notoriously cold in winter.

The man had also been ill, yet medical staff members admitted that they failed to provide medical care. One member of the medical staff said he was afraid there would be ramifications if he offered the man care because it was against the perceived prevailing culture in that facility. According to his death certificate, the causes of the detainee’s death were hypothermia and sepsis due to medical neglect.

Seeking Assistance for Jail Neglect or Abuse?

Being incarcerated in a city or county jail should never mean losing fundamental rights. When inmates in Texas experience mistreatment, such as being denied essential medical care, it’s crucial to hold those responsible accountable.

Have you lost a loved one in a Texas jail and suspect neglect contributed to their death? Or were you previously incarcerated and suffered life-altering injuries due to abuse or neglect? The Law Offices of Dean Malone may be able to assist. Our dedicated team focuses on cases involving custodial deaths, including jail suicides, and is experienced in addressing the unique challenges of inmate welfare and rights within the correctional system.

Reach out to us anytime for a free case evaluation. Contact us via phone, text, or through our online form—we’re available 24/7.

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smchugh

Falls County Jail Shockingly Fails a Fourth 2024 Inspection

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Falls County Jail is currently listed four separate times on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website, the latest of these 2024 inspections having been conducted on December 17. Non-compliance was found with regard to 14 minimum jail standards. This is reminiscent of the March 4 inspection, which revealed the same number of violations. Falls County Jail was cited for failing to comply with 2 rules of operation after a September 26 inspection. The results of an inspection on October 15 showed a repeat of the 2 violations listed in the previous month.

On 10 occasions, the violations cited on the December notice of non-compliance include this phrase: “This was a deficiency noted during the March 4, 2024, Comprehensive Inspection.” That is disturbing, especially considering that jails are expected to complete corrective action on every violation “on receipt of this notice.” In addition, an 11th violation has a note indicating that it was an area in which Falls County Jail received Technical Assistance during the comprehensive inspection on March 4, 2024.

Falls County Jail is in Marlin, Texas, at 2847 State Highway 6, zip code 76661. The jail has a bed capacity of 107.

Inmates Can Suffer from Medical Neglect When Jails are in Non-Compliance

Can a jail with a record of ongoing non-compliance with minimum jail standards manage to meet the needs of inmates adequately? Problems with understaffing and overcrowding are common, often resulting in non-compliance and jail neglect. One of the potentially disastrous results of jail mismanagement is medical neglect. The following are a few details from stories in U.S. news about instances of medical neglect resulting in custodial deaths:

  • A 45-year-old man became severely emaciated while he was incarcerated in an Alabama correctional facility. He also became completely incapacitated and allegedly suffered excruciating pain from a survivable cancer due to medical neglect. He went home covered in bed sores and died four days after being released.
  • The death of a man who had been incarcerated in a Charleston, South Carolina, jail was ruled a homicide three months after his death. A news release shows that he died of sepsis with septic shock due to gross medical neglect. There were other claims alleged by the family, including that he was subjected to deplorable living conditions and inhumane treatment.

Seeking Justice After a Jail Death Caused by Neglect

Incarceration should never mean a loss of basic constitutional rights. If you suspect your loved one passed away in a U.S. jail because of medical neglect, it’s essential to act swiftly. Contact the Law Offices of Dean Malone without delay. Our skilled team has significant experience with jail suicides and other jail death cases. We strive to hold jails accountable and secure justice for grieving loved ones.

We also support former jail detainees who have experienced life-changing injuries resulting from jail medical neglect or abuse. Contact us today. Call, text, or fill out our online form. We are available 24/7 and remain focused on asserting inmate rights and those of their loved ones.

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smchugh

Tom Green County Jail Inmate Lester Lewis Travioli Dies

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Lester Lewis Travioli went through intake at Tom Green County Jail on May 1, 2024. Mr. Travioli was sweeping the floor in the multiple occupancy cell where he was housed when, at 11:54 PM on December 24, 2024, he suddenly fell on his back and lost consciousness. Two corrections officers were in the immediate area preparing to conduct a head count. They promptly assisted Mr. Travioli in sitting up but realized he wasn’t breathing. Lifesaving measures were quickly initiated; but at 12:39 AM on December 25, 2024, 61-year-old Lester Travioli was pronounced deceased.

The Tom Green County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Travioli on January 7, 2025. The CDR indicates that Mr. Travioli was on several prescription medications. He also had an extensive medical history, including seizures and other diseases. At the time of booking, he was observed to exhibit mental and medical problems.

Tom Green County Jail is at 122 W Harris Ave in San Angelo, Texas 76903. The inmate capacity is 1,001.

Which Inmate at Tom Green County Jail Died Following Failures in Supervision?

In November 2024, Tom Green County Jail was cited for failing to supervise an inmate in the time preceding that person’s death. Specifically, two supervision rounds were not conducted with the required face-to-face observations. It is difficult to know via public records which of two detainees who died in the custody of Tom Green County Jail in October 2024 was associated with the TCJS inspectors’ findings. Details about both custodial deaths follow.

A Suicide in Tom Green County Jail

A 59-year-old woman died on October 20, 2024. She had entered the jail eight days earlier. The CDR’s summary of how her death occurred reveals that at 7:28 PM that day, the woman was discovered hanging from the shower nozzle in the single occupancy cell where she was housed. She had used torn bedding or clothing to fashion a ligature, which was wrapped around her neck and attached to the shower nozzle. She was pronounced deceased at 10:06 PM, though lifesaving measures continued during that entire period.

Suicide is the leading cause of deaths in local jails like the one in San Angelo. All members of any Texas jail staff are required to receive training in suicide prevention. The first month of incarceration is the time when a significant number of suicides occur, and vigilance over new inmates is imperative. Because supervision is the chief deterrent of suicide, the fact that this detainee was alone in a cell should have increased the sense of urgency in keeping watch over her, at least according to minimum jail standards.

A Medical Emergency is Followed by Death in Tom Green County Jail

October 15, 2024, was the second day a 65-year-old man was an inmate in Tom Green County Jail. He was found unresponsive that day and died the next. The circumstances of his arrest involved his having sought further medical assistance for chest pains at Shannon Medical Center and then failing to leave the hospital premises. He was returned to that same medical center before being declared deceased on October 16.

Because the inmate’s arrest involved his alarm over chest pains, a sensitivity to his health was called for. In cases like this, a lack in supervision could potentially make the difference between life and death.

Seeking Justice for a Death Caused by Jail Negligence?

Being incarcerated does not strip a person of their fundamental civil rights. If you believe that medical neglect in a Texas city or county jail led to your loved one’s death, it is vital to take swift action. Contact the Law Offices of Dean Malone today. Our knowledgeable team routinely handles custodial death cases, including jail suicides, working to hold jails accountable and seeking justice for inmates and their families.

We also advocate for former inmates who have suffered serious injuries due to abuse or neglect while in custody. Our team is available 24/7 to provide assistance. Reach out to us by phone, text, or through our online form. We are deeply committed to asserting the rights of inmates and their families.

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smchugh

Galveston County Jail is Cited After an Inmate’s Suicide

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3d interior Jail

Galveston County Jail in Galveston, Texas, was recently added to the list of non-compliant jails on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. A notice of non-compliance was sent to the county jail after a special jail inspection on December 9, 2024. TCJS inspectors found that one minimum jail standard was violated in connection with a custodial death at Galveston County Jail.

The island jail was found to have allegedly violated Rule §273.3-Health Instructions:

  • After a custodial death, documentation was reviewed. It was discovered that the inmate did not receive medication as prescribed.

Galveston County Jail’s address is 5700 Ball St, Galveston, TX 77551. The jail has a 1,187-bed capacity.

A Custodial Suicide May Have Instigated the Recent Galveston Jail Inspection

The above-mentioned special jail inspection at Galveston County Jail does not specify the date of the custodial death that instigated the inspection. On the website where custodial death reports (CDRs) are posted, there are, at this time, three recent deaths reported in Galveston–two in September 2024 and the other in October 2024.

However, because custodial deaths are frequently filed up to a year or more later than the 30-day deadline, it is sometimes impossible to say with certainty that a particular jail inspection is a follow-up and linked to a particular death if strictly looking at public records.

A tragic custodial suicide occurred in Galveston County Jail on October 14, 2024. The suicide victim was a 54-year-old man who had entered the jail on October 1, two weeks earlier. The CDR about the deceased detainee was filed by the Galveston County Sheriff’s Department on November 12, 2024. It indicates that he did not make suicidal statements during the booking process. He was housed in a multiple-occupancy cell. The following are among the details in the summary about how the death occurred:

  • At about 6:06 AM on the day of his death, the detainee was discovered unresponsive with a ligature tied around his neck. The other end of the ligature was secured to a privacy partition near the toilet inside the cell. Lifesaving measures were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced deceased at 6:47 AM.

Jailers go through suicide prevention training, and they have a responsibility to provide required supervision and to be alert to signs that an individual may be suicidal. Another issue, if this is the death tied to the recent jail inspection, is whether the medication that the inmate allegedly did not receive as prescribed might have helped prevent the tragedy.

Looking for Help with Jail Neglect or Abuse?

Being incarcerated in a county or municipal jail does not mean forfeiting your basic rights. When inmates experience mistreatment, such as being denied necessary medical care, it’s essential to hold those responsible accountable.

Have you lost a family member in a Texas jail and suspect that abuse or neglect may have been a contributory factor in their death? Or were you previously incarcerated and, due to jail negligence, suffered life-altering injuries? If so, we may be able to help. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we focus on handling cases of custodial deaths, including jail suicide deaths, leveraging years of experience to provide dedicated and compassionate legal support.

We’re here to help 24/7. Contact us by phone, text, or our online form to schedule a free case evaluation.

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smchugh

TCJS Cites Wilson County Jail for Another Standards Violation

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Inside The Old Idaho State Penitentiary

Wilson County Jail is now included with other non-compliant jails on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. TCJS sent the Floresville, Texas, jail a notice of non-compliance on November 20, 2024, the same day that the jail’s inspection report was issued. Wilson County Jail is cited for three alleged violations of minimum jail standards, and two of them are shown in a report from the previous month. The inspector’s notes are the same on the October 2024 and November 2024 reports. Corrective action is required upon receipt of non-compliance notices.

The inspectors’ notes on the added violation follow, and they provide clarification:

  • After the comprehensive inspection of Wilson County Jail, it was later discovered that the jail had failed to complete a Quarterly Fire Hazard Inspection Checklist for the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 2024.

The address of the Wilson County Jail is 800 10th Street, Floresville, Texas 78114. The inmate capacity is 160.

An Inmate of Wilson County Jail Died of Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

A 43-year-old man was an inmate at Wilson County Jail for 21 hours when he died on November 7, 2022. He had been placed in a detox cell because he appeared to be intoxicated during intake, and the CDR also says a medical watch form was initiated. The summary of how the death occurred shows that he was seen to be blue in the face on the house camera system in his 20th hour at the jail and was pronounced deceased less than an hour later, when resuscitative efforts were unsuccessful.

The CDR related to the man’s death was due in December of 2022, but it was not filed with the Attorney General of Texas until June of 2024, more than 18 months late. The results of the autopsy had been completed. The Medical Examiner said the death was natural, and that the medical cause of death was “alcohol withdrawal syndrome due to chronic ethanolism.”

What is Ethanolism and What are the Signs and Symptoms?

Ethanolism is an alcohol use disorder sometimes characterized as “alcoholism.” Individuals with this disorder have difficulty controlling their alcohol consumption. Ethanolism involves having to drink more to feel the effects of alcohol and having alcohol withdrawal symptoms when consumption is stopped or rapidly decreased.

Signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include agitation, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, sweating, rapid heartbeat, difficulty sleeping, hand tremors, hallucinations, anxiety, and, occasionally, seizures.

Jails have a responsibility to monitor the condition of any inmate at risk for withdrawal symptoms. Inmates in medical distress have a right to receive medical treatment.

Seeking Help for Jail Negligence Cases?

Studies reveal that almost 70% of inmates in local U.S. jails with chronic health conditions do not receive adequate medical care—a troubling reality. If you have experienced severe injuries due to jail medical neglect or abuse, or if you have lost a loved one because of neglect while they were incarcerated, we urge you to reach out. The Law Offices of Dean Malone has years of experience with custodial death cases, including suicides.

Contact us today for a free consultation. We are available 24/7—by phone, text, or through our online form.

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smchugh

Harris County Jail Fails a Third 2024 Inspection

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For the third time this year, Harris County Jail is listed as a non-compliant jail on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. The latest special jail inspection of the Houston, Texas, jail was conducted on December 16, 2024. With regard to a violation of the rule covering searches for contraband, which is in the chapter on the supervision of inmates, TCJS inspectors conveyed the following:

  • Harris County officials self-reported that contraband had entered their facility. Upon review of a video provided, it was discovered that an inmate’s personal wheelchair had not been searched for contraband upon entry into the secure perimeter.

Contraband Potentially Caused Two Drug Overdose Deaths in Harris County Jail in December 2024

Before Harris County Jail underwent a December 16, 2024, special jail inspection, two inmates potentially died from an illicit drug overdose. On December 9, 2024, a 31-year-old fell onto the floor of his single cell and lay there motionless. He died that morning after being transported by ambulance to Ben Taub Hospital. Another inmate at Harris County Jail, a 62-year-old, died five days earlier on December 4, 2024, after being found in the same circumstances. In this first instance, however, the inmate was declared deceased inside the jail. Results of an autopsy are pending in both custodial deaths.

Contraband in Jails is a Widespread Problem

A publication by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice states that over the last five years, there has been a substantial increase in the volume of illegal narcotics entering the criminal justice system. Among the suggested strategies for reducing contraband is to enhance drug testing, including fentanyl, through the use of mobile drug testing applications.

There are many recent stories about an ongoing problem of contraband in county and municipal jails. The following are a few details about some of those stories, all of which made the news in November 2024:

  • The Midland County Sheriff’s Office arrested four people for introducing contraband to Midland County Jail. Two of those arrested are charged with attempting to smuggle drugs into the Midland, Texas, jail.
  • A jailer in Clay County, Mississippi, has been accused of accepting money to provide cell phones, drugs, and other contraband to inmates.
  • A defense attorney in Houston, Texas, has been charged on several counts, including providing a prohibited substance in a corrections facility. This arrest came after an investigation into multiple inmate deaths caused by fentanyl drug poisoning.

Looking for Help with Jail Neglect or Abuse?

Being incarcerated in a local jail does not mean your basic rights have been surrendered. If detainees are mistreated, such as being denied necessary medical care, it is essential to hold those responsible accountable.

Have you lost a loved one in a Texas jail and suspect that neglect contributed to their death? Or were you previously incarcerated and suffered severe injuries because of negligence? If so, we may be able to help. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we focus on custodial death cases and bring years of experience to provide effective legal representation.

We’re here to help 24/7. Reach out by phone, text, or through our online form to schedule a free consultation today.

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smchugh

Bowie County Jail Inmate Dejuan Fulcher Possibly Died of Sepsis

Front of Jail Cell

Dejuan Deandre Fulcher was booked into Bowie County Jail on April 30, 2024. He was pronounced deceased in the jail’s custody on December 18, 2024. The Bowie County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) the next day. The CDR shows that he exhibited mental health problems during booking. He was also missing his lower right leg at the knee due to a previous medical issue.

Per the CDR, Mr. Fulcher was eventually placed in a single-occupancy cell because he displayed signs of mental illness such as soiling his bedding and clothing with bodily waste. On September 17, Mr. Fulcher underwent a mental evaluation to determine his competency to stand trial. He was waiting for placement in a mental facility for the remainder of his stay at the jail.

On December 18, Mr. Fulcher was discovered unresponsive in his cell, and he was still breathing. Medical personnel provided medical attention, and he was transported to Christus St. Michael Hospital for further treatment. The hospital staff was treating him for sepsis and septic shock, and his condition rapidly declined. He was pronounced deceased at 11:48 PM the same day. His cause of death is listed as unknown and awaiting autopsy results.

Bowie County Jail is also known as Bowie County Correctional Center. The jail’s address is 105 West Front Street, Texarkana, Texas 75501. The bed capacity of the Bowie County Correctional Center is 921.

A Study Shows that Inmates with Sepsis Have a Higher Risk of Death

The Journal of Correctional Health conducted a study of 8,568 cases of sepsis. All but 120 were non-inmates. The mortality rate for non-inmates was 15.3%, and for inmates, it was 42.5%. The risk of death among inmates with sepsis was 2.8 times higher than the others. The article suggests several measures jails should take to protect inmates from adverse health outcomes, including the following:

  • Before being admitted into a jail, inmates should have a health screening.
  • Jail staff should go through training to recognize if inmates exhibit signs of medical distress.
  • Jails should stay well-stocked with Narcan so that overdose deaths can be prevented.

Oftentimes, deaths from sepsis are highly preventable. If inmates do not receive medical care for a serious health condition, it can be considered a form of cruel and unusual punishment. Jails have a duty to provide detainees with the medical care they need. If they show indifference toward an inmate in serious need of medical attention and the inmate dies or suffers life-altering results, they can be held accountable. It’s such a tragedy that inmates too often die from sepsis, considering that in most cases, simply receiving antibiotics in a timely manner would have saved their lives.

Have You Experienced Jail Neglect?

Jail staff are responsible for the care and safety of everyone in their custody. If you were detained in a Texas jail and endured severe, life-altering injuries due to neglect, such as a denial of medical care, the Law Offices of Dean Malone may be able to help. We have extensive experience asserting the rights of inmates and their families.

If you lost a loved one while they were incarcerated in a Texas jail and believe neglect, including medical neglect, contributed to their passing, we’re here to assist. Our dedicated team focuses on custodial death cases.

We are available 24/7. Contact us anytime by phone, text, or through our online form for a free consultation.

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smchugh

Webb County Jail Inmate Noe Cantu-Covarrubias Dies on 12/13/24

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Noe Cantu-Covarrubias was 58 years old when he was booked into Webb County Jail on November 4, 2024. The Webb County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Cantu-Covarrubias on December 13, 2024, the day he was pronounced deceased. The CDR shows that he died of natural causes and that an autopsy was not planned. Mr. Cantu-Covarrubias had been transported to Laredo Medical Center after he was found unresponsive in the jail’s medical department at 5:19 AM. Dr. Chen at Laredo Medical Center said that the inmate had died of a possible aneurysm at 7:42 AM on the same day the medical emergency occurred.

While in the jail, he received treatment for the condition that caused his death, a pre-existing condition. The CDR also shows that Mr. Cantu-Covarrubias made suicidal statements and exhibited mental and medical health problems during intake.

The address of Webb County Jail is 1001 Washington Street in Laredo, Texas 78042. The inmate capacity of the jail is 570.

Jails Can Be Held Accountable for Preventable Deaths

Sheriffs and other jail administrators have a responsibility to protect jail detainees in Texas counties and municipalities from preventable deaths. It is only natural that a percentage of inmates will die from medical conditions while they are incarcerated. But suppose the jail staff showed indifference to the sufferings of an inmate or failed to operate according to suicide prevention guidelines. In that case, it is possible that jail neglect was a contributing factor to a custodial death. In such cases, the family of the deceased can seek justice for the death of their loved one.

Two Recent Deaths in Webb County Jail May Have Been the Result of Neglect

All jail deaths are subjected to investigation. If the cause of an inmate’s death was sepsis or suicide, possible jail neglect should automatically be considered. At Webb County Jail, a 34-year-old male died from sepsis in 2021 due to infected drug injection sites. The tragedy is that most deaths caused by sepsis can be prevented by simply administering antibiotics in a timely manner. Details of another recent and possibly preventable death at Webb County Jail follow.

A Suicidal Detainee Dies After His Second Attempt at Suicide in 2 Days

A 67-year-old inmate was arrested in April 2022. At the time of booking into Webb County Jail, he made suicidal statements and exhibited mental health problems. Both are red flags indicating that the inmate is at a high risk for suicide. Detainees who are possibly suicidal should be placed under heightened supervision in which they are observed every 15 minutes or every 30 minutes at most. On the man’s fifth day in jail, he jumped off a fixed barrier onto his head. After being evaluated at a local hospital, he was returned to his single-occupancy cell.

On his sixth day in jail, the CDR indicates that he was found unresponsive in Cell 111. He died from asphyxia due to deliberately impacting an occlusive food in the bolus in his posterior oropharynx and upper airway and choking—in this way, he committed suicide and died on the eighth day of his incarceration.

Seeking Justice for Jail Deaths Linked to Neglect

Incarceration does not strip individuals of their basic rights. If you believe a loved one passed away in a Texas jail due to neglect or mistreatment, it’s crucial to act quickly. Contact the Law Offices of Dean Malone for help. Our firm is dedicated to pursuing justice for those affected by jail deaths, with a team experienced in handling these sensitive cases.

We also assist former detainees who have endured significant injuries caused by neglect during their time in custody. Contact us anytime via phone, text, or our online form. We’re available 24/7 and committed to asserting the rights of inmates and their families.

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smchugh

McLennan County Jail Detainee Beauford Puryear Dies on 12/10/24

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Inside The Old Idaho State Penitentiary

Beauford Puryear was booked into McLennan County Jail on November 12, 2024, two days before his 61st birthday. Tragically, he died less than a month later on December 10, 2024. The cause of Mr. Puryear’s death is unknown, per the custodial death report (CDR) that McClennan County Sheriff’s Office promptly filed on the same day the death occurred.

Mr. Puryear’s medical cause of death is unknown, but the CDR states that the deceased had a history of cardiac/hypertension issues. Also, the report reflects that the decedent died of a pre-existing medical condition.

Very little is said in the summary of how Mr. Puryear’s death occurred. In essence, he had a medical emergency during the passage of breakfast trays at 6:12 AM. Lifesaving measures began, and he was pronounced deceased the next hour at 7:44 AM on December 10, 2024.

The address of McLennan County Jail is 3201 E Highway 6 in Waco, Texas 76705. The jail’s inmate capacity is 1,678.

Jails Can Be Held Accountable for Preventable Suicides

A recent report reveals that there has been a dramatic increase in Texas prison suicides. The number of inmates who died by suicide has nearly doubled in the past four years. From 2005-2019, there was an average of 28.6 suicides. That number rose to 56 on average per year between 2020 and 2023. After the suicide of a 21-year-old woman, it was discovered that face-to-face observation rounds had not taken place as they were supposed to, which was every 30 minutes. Supervision is recognized as the greatest deterrent to suicide.

In Texas jails, the ratio of suicides is even higher than in prisons. Suicide is the leading cause of death in county and municipal jails across the nation. Oftentimes, similar situations occur regarding lack of supervision. The following is one tragic example:

  • A 42-year-old white male was booked into a Texas county jail on May 14, 2020. When he was booked into the jail, a member of the booking staff noted that he made suicidal statements. The following day, jail staff noted that the man was agitated after making a phone call to his wife. He was placed in a “max cell” under 30-minute watch. Later that day, a jailer discovered that the man had used jail clothing to hang himself. Lifesaving measures failed, and he was pronounced deceased on May 16, 2020.
  • A follow-up special jail inspection was conducted on May 21, 2020. Scrutiny of face-to-face observation checks revealed that they were not conducted as required in the holding and detox cells, where the deceased was housed. In addition, the jail staff had not been provided with suicide prevention training since March 2018.

The Texas jail staff knew that the man had made suicidal statements. There was also an awareness that he became agitated after a call with a family member. These red flags together with the fact that white males are most at risk for suicide suggest that, at the very least, supervision should have been provided at the minimum required.

Legal Help for Jail Neglect Cases: The Law Offices of Dean Malone

If you or a loved one has been impacted by neglect in a Texas jail, obtaining experienced legal representation is essential. At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we are dedicated to assisting families who have lost loved ones in Texas jails, potentially due to neglect or abuse, including cases involving suicides. We also encourage former inmates who have suffered serious injuries due to jail neglect or mistreatment to contact us for help.

Reach out to us today for a free case evaluation. Our team is available 24/7 by phone, text, or through our online form.

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smchugh
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