Category: Medical Care

The Euless Police Department, in Texas, filed a report regarding the custodial death of Kenderick Jackson. Mr. Jackson was only 38 years old at the time of his death. We provide in this post information we obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.

The report indicates that Mr. Jackson’s initial custody was at 7:21 a.m. on November 30, 2022, and that he passed away at 12:14 p.m. on November 30, 2022. The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“On November 30, 2022 at approximately 0721 hours, Officers responded to QT located at 105 Westpark Way in Euless, TX 76040 in reference to a Welfare Check. The complainant stated a subject, later identified as Jackson, Kenderick Jackson (b/m XX/XX/84) was slurring his speech. Jackson was determined to be intoxicated and it was discovered he had stolen items from the store. He was placed under arrest for Public Intoxication and Theft under $100. He was transported to the Euless Jail for booking. Jackson was brought into the Euless Jail located at 1102 W. Euless Blvd, Euless, TX 76040 for booking, but due his intoxication level, he was not immediately processed. He was placed into a cell and checked on. During a check, Jackson was found to be unresponsive. Officers and jail staff performed CPR on Jackson until Euless FD Medics arrived. Jackson was transported to HEB Hospital located at 1600 Hospital Parkway Bedford, TX where he was pronounced deceased.”

The medical cause of death listed in the report is “pending.” The report also blames Mr. Jackson for his own death.

The United States Constitution requires those who have a person in custody, including police officers and jailers, to protect that person and provide reasonable medical care. If a person is, for example, severely intoxicated, to the extent the person could suffer serious injury or death, it is incumbent upon jailers and/or officers to obtain a medical evaluation. Case law has been clear that, regarding a person who may be detoxing from alcohol or drugs, that it is insufficient to simply leave a person in a holding cell for the person to “sober up.”

Notwithstanding what happened to Mr. Jackson, as a general matter, if jailers, EMS personnel, or police officers are deliberately indifferent to medical needs of a person in their care, and a person dies as result, then certain surviving family members may be able to file a federal civil rights lawsuit. Our law firm is handling a number of such lawsuits across Texas.

As we recently posted, the Jim Hogg County jail, in Hebbronville, Texas, failed an inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS). The inspection appears to have been as a result of a custodial death in that jail. However, when searching custodial death records in Texas, it appears that Jim Hogg County did not file a custodial death report.

Texas law requires counties to file custodial death reports when inmates die in their care and/or custody. This is a not a law which can be ignored. However, it is our belief that Jim Hogg County has apparently ignored the law and failed to file such a report. These reports are important, because they allow families and the public at large to know what is occurring in our Texas county jails. Hopefully, Jim Hogg County will promptly file the report or, in the alternative, the Attorney General of Texas will take appropriate action against Jim Hogg County for failing to comply with its statutory duties.

Forty-six-year-old Wayne Joseph Dunlap died in a municipal holding cell in Killeen, Texas, on December 2, 2022. He had been incarcerated for fewer than 24 hours when he died. The address of the Killeen City Jail is 3304 Community Blvd, Killeen TX 76542 in Bell County.

Harris County Jail Given a Deadline by the State to Remedy Jail Overcrowding

In September 2022, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office was given 30 days by the state to submit a corrective plan of action for jail overcrowding. This action occurred after the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) issued a citation for noncompliance with minimum jail standards. The special jail inspection report named 64 inmates who spent longer than the maximum 48 hours in holding cells in the booking area.

The county refers back to a growing backlog of criminal cases that began during the Hurricane Harvey crisis in 2017. The courthouse building was structurally damaged due to flooding caused by the hurricane. During shutdowns related to Covid 19, the backlog of cases continued to grow.

A September 2022 news article about overcrowding in Harris County Jail stated that 10,343 inmates were held in the Harris County Jail and nearly half of them faced charges of violent crimes. It had been over a decade since the jail population had exceeded 10,000. An additional 597 prisoners had been moved to a La Salle Parish jail in Louisiana. On top of that, a contract was signed in September moving 600 additional individuals to a Garza County jail facility.

Learn more in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of this continuing series.

Each of the posts on this site is intended as a resource to help local prisoners detained in Texas municipal and county jails. Making accusatory statements about organizations or individuals is never intended on this website.

–Guest Contributor

The Killeen Police Department, in Texas, filed a report regarding the custodial death of Wayne Joseph Dunlap. Mr. Dunlap was 46 years old at the time of his death. We provide information we obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.

The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“The suspect was arrested on 12/01/22 at 8:45 AM on multiple warrants from his residence at [Information Redacted], Bell County Texas. The arresting Officers transported the suspect to the Killeen Police Department City Jail. Later EMS responded to the jail for a suspect illness and they reported no emergency. A call for service was placed for a police officer to take the suspect to the hospital. Jailers entered the suspect’s cell and located him unresponsive, and he was later pronounced deceased.
Texas Rangers were notified and will conduct an external investigation.”

The report also indicates that Mr. Dunlap was originally in custody at 8:45 a.m. on December 1, 2022, and that he passed away on December 2, 2022. The report indicates, as to medical cause of death, that autopsy results are pending. The City of Killeen jail is in Bell County, Texas.

The report provides no information about how often, if at all, Mr. Dunlap was periodically observed by jailers or others working in the Killeen Jail. Unfortunately, municipal jails across Texas are not generally well-suited to handle inmates. Those jails are not governed by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS). The TCJS oversees county jails across Texas. Texas law requires jailers and county jails to be licensed and, after a temporary license ends and a permanent license is in place, to have appropriate training and education. This is not required of municipal jails, making them, in our opinion, an unsafe place to hold arrestees. For example, we are handling a case against the City of Jasper after the death of an arrestee in that jail. After the death, Jasper, Texas closed down its municipal jail.

The United States Constitution requires that arrestees and detainees in jails, or in police custody, receive reasonable medical care. If police officers, jailers, or EMS personnel are deliberately indifferent to serious medical needs, and a person dies as a result, then certain surviving family members may be able to file a federal civil rights lawsuit. Our jail neglect and abuse law firm is handling a number of such cases across Texas.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, in Beaumont, Texas, filed a report regarding the death of inmate Duane Audwin Durley. Mr. Durley was 62 years old at the time of his death. We provide information we obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of wrongdoing against anyone.

The report appears to indicate that Mr. Durley’s initial incarceration was at 3:49 p.m. on October 29, 2022. It also indicates that Mr. Durley passed away on November 12, 2022 at 1:03 p.m. The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“Inmate Duane Audwin Durley was sent to Baptist Hospital on 11/10/2022 @ 23:47. He was complaining of pain in his feet, legs, and chest. He was admitted and was assigned to room #432 in the North Tower of Baptist Hospital. Inmate Durley remained in room #432 until he passed away on 11/12/2022 @ 13:05.”

The report provides no information at all about how often, if at all, Mr. Durley was observed while in his cell, or any medical treatment he was receiving prior to having issues addressed in the summary above. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards requires certain periodic observation of inmates, and that requirement is only a bare minimum standard. The United States Constitution requires jailers and others working in jails to provide reasonable medical care to inmates. If such care is not provided, and a person in a Texas county jail suffers or dies as a result, then certain surviving family members may be able to file a federal civil rights lawsuit. Our Texas jail neglect law firm is handling a number of such cases across Texas, including a currently-pending lawsuit against Jefferson County for failure to protect an inmate.

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Department, in Abilene, Texas, filed a report regarding the custodial death of Tammy Jo Sanders. Ms. Sanders was 63 years old at the time of her death. We provide in this post information we obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.

The report indicates that Ms. Sanders was originally incarcerated in the jail on November 7, 2022, at 11:19 a.m. It also indicates that she passed away on November 16, 2022, at 8:32 a.m. The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“On November 16, 2022 at approximately 0734 hours inmate Sanders was found unresponsive in her cell. Officers, along with medical staff attempted CPR and applied the AED, but inmate Sanders was not responsive to the life saving techniques. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) along with the Local Fire Department responded and continued life saving techniques and they were not successful. Inmate Sander’s body was sent to S.W.I.F.T. medical examiner’s office in Dallas. At this time the autopsy report is pending.”

The report also indicates that Ms. Sanders did not exhibit any mental health or medical problems. The report provides no information regarding whether, or how often, Ms. Sanders was observed by jail personnel. Periodic observations are required by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.

The United States Constitution requires jailers to provide reasonable medical care to inmates. If an inmate has a serious medical condition, and jailers fail to provide medical care, and a person dies as a result, then certain surviving family members may be able to file a federal jail neglect lawsuit. Our Texas jail neglect law firm is handling a number of such cases across Texas.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, in San Antonio, Texas, filed a report regarding the death of Juan Carlos Guerrero. Mr. Guerrero was 44 years old at the time of his death. We provide in this post information we obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.

The report indicates that Mr. Guerrero was originally incarcerated on October 4, 2022 at 3:20 a.m. It also indicates that he passed away on November 2, 2022 at 7:54 p.m., as a result of suicide. Mr. Guerrero was arrested only for possession of a controlled substance. The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“Inmate Guerrero, Juan #XXXXXX was found inside of his cell on 11/02/2022 at approximately 0330 hours, by Officer A. Ulcak #1779. Inmate Guerrero had a sheet tied around his neck with the other end tied to the top bunk inside of his assigned cell (BE28). Deputy Ulcak called for assistance by activating his duress box (Officer in need of assistance) and held inmate Guerrero up by the arm to relieve pressure off of inmate Guerrero’s neck. Officer Ulcak utilized a rescue cutting tool to cut the sheet from inmate Guerrero’s neck. Deputy Ulcak then proceeded to check for a pulse. When no pulse was found, a Code 1 Blue (emergency medical assistance required) via the radio. Deputy Ulcak began chest compressions until medical staff arrived. Medical staff responded and continued life saving measures for inmate Guerrero. Inmate Guerrero was transported by ambulance to Downtown Baptist Emergency Room. Inmate Guerrero succumbed to the injuries and was pronounced deceased at approximately 1954 hours by Dr. Sergio Burguete.”

Therefore, the report provides no information regarding whether and how often Mr. Guerrero was observed, or any information about any ongoing medical or mental health issues. The report does indicate that Mr. Guerrero did not exhibit any mental health problems or make suicidal statements.

The United States Constitution requires jails to protect suicidal inmates from those suicidal tendencies. This protection is typically provided pursuant to the 14^th Amendment. If jailers, medical personnel, and/or mental health personnel in a Texas county jail are deliberately indifferent to an inmate’s known suicidal tendencies, and the inmate dies as a result, then certain surviving family members may be able to file a federal civil rights lawsuit. Our Texas jail neglect firm is handling a number of such suits across Texas.

The Dawson County Sheriff’s Department, in Lamesa, Texas, filed a report regarding the custodial death of Jose Saul Cruz Jr. Mr. Cruz was only 34 years old at the time of his death. We provide information we obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.

The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“The decedent, Jose Cruz, was brought into the Dawson County Jail on November 05, 2022, at approximately 2:45 a.m., asked screening questions and changed out into a jail uniform. Inmate Cruz cooperated during the booking process but appeared to be very fidgety and anxious. Once the booking process was completed, inmate Cruz was placed into the detox cell and given a mattress. Jail staff advised that all through the morning of November 5, Inmate Cruz was observed to be pacing the detox cell and waving his arms and talking to himself. At approximately 10:38 p.m., on November 5, 2022, inmate Cruz was observed to be laying down on mattress and jail staff advised that they heard him snore. Jail staff went to check on inmate Cruz at 11:06 p.m. and observed inmate Cruz to be unresponsive and not breathing. Chest compressions were initiated and EMS was called. EMS arrived at approximately 11:12 p.m. and advised jail staff that inmate Cruz was deceased. County Judge arrived at jail and pronounced death at 11:12 p.m. Autopsy was performed on Monday, November 7, 2022, at 8:30 a.m., and results are pending.”

Further, the report indicates that Mr. Cruz appeared intoxicated by drugs and/or alcohol and also exhibited mental health problems. The report does not provide any information regarding medical treatment or mental health treatment, if any, obtained for Mr. Cruz. It also does not provide information about whether Mr. Cruz was periodically observed in accordance with Texas Commission on Jail Standards regulations.

People in Texas county jails are entitled to receive reasonable medical care and mental health care. If they do not receive such services, pursuant to the United States Constitution, and a person dies as a result, then certain surviving family members may be able to file a federal civil rights lawsuit. Our Texas jail neglect and abuse law firm is currently litigating a number of such lawsuits, on behalf of families, across Texas.

The Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office, in Seguin, Texas, filed a report regarding the custodial death of Chad Lenoch. Mr. Lenoch was 44 years old at the time of his death. We provide information we obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.

The report indicates that Mr. Lenoch was originally incarcerated in the Guadalupe County jail at 6:50 p.m. on October 4, 2022, and that he passed away at 6:50 p.m. on October 10, 2022. The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“On October 10, 2022 at 0708 hours Chad Lenoch DOB XX/XX/1978 SID TXXXXXXXXX was found unresponsive. Attempts to achieve a response from Mr. Lenoch were performed to no avail. EMS was called and upon their arrival they took over providing care for Mr. Lenoch and departed the facility at 0735 hours. By the time Mr. Lenoch arrived at Guadalupe Regional Medical Center he was no longer able to breathe on his own. After assessment he was transported to University Hospital in San Antonio Texas. There Mr. Lenoch’s condition worsened and CPR along with another medical procedure were performed. At 1014 hours Mr. Lenoch was pronounced deceased.”

The report also indicates that Mr. Lenoch was in a detox cell, and was arrested as a result of a drug and/or alcohol issue. Pursuant to the United States Constitution, Texas jails must provide reasonable medical care to detainees. This would include having in place an appropriate detoxification protocol. Moreover, simply having in place the detoxification protocol is insufficient. It must actually be implemented and appropriately used.

We have no information regarding whether and to what extent Mr. Lenoch was receiving appropriate medical treatment in the Guadalupe County jail. However, with or without regard to what happened to Mr. Lenoch, when a person dies in a County jail, and jailers and/or medical personnel are deliberately indifferent to that person’s serious medical needs, then certain surviving family members may be able to file a federal constitutional rights lawsuit. We are prosecuting several such cases across Texas.

The Nueces County Sheriff’s Office, in Corpus Christi, Texas, filed a report regarding the custodial death of Carlos S. Contreras. Mr. Contreras was 67 years old at the time of his death. We provide information we obtained from that report, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing against anyone.

The report indicates that Mr. Contreras was originally incarcerated in the jail at 8:49 p.m. on September 27, 2022, and that he passed away at 10:20 a.m. on October 2, 2022. The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“On 10/02/22, At approximately 9:28am, Nueces County Inmate Carlos Contreras SO#XXXXXXXX was found to be unresponsive. Corpus Christi EMS was called and arrived at the Jail at approximately 9:35am. CPR and AED machine were administered by both Nueces County Jail Medical Staff and Corpus Christi EMS. At approximately 9:51am, Inmate Contreras was transported to Christus Spohn Hospital Shoreline, 600 Elizabeth St., Corpus Christi, TX 78404 by EMS Medic Unit #1. At 10:20am, Inmate Contreras, was pronounced deceased by Medical Staff at Christus Spohn Hospital. Nueces County, CID Sgt. Marilyn King was notified as well as Texas Ranger, Rodney Henderson, Texas Department of Public Safety. The cause of death is unknown at this time pending the results of the autopsy.”

The report provides no information at all about whether Mr. Contreras had been periodically observed in his cell, whether he was having medical issues, and if he was having medical issues, whether he had been receiving treatment. Inmates in Texas jails are entitled to receive medical care. This entitlement arises through the 14^th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Prisoners have the right to receive reasonable medical care. If jailers and/or medical personnel act unreasonably and/or are deliberately indifferent regarding such needs, and a person dies as a result, then certain family members of that person may be able to file a federal civil rights lawsuit. Our firm frequently litigates such cases across Texas.