Category: Medical Care

The Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office, in Fort Worth, Texas, filed a report regarding the custodial death of Jo Ann Lemmons.  Ms. Lemmons was 55 years old at the time of her 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:

“in-custody death of Tarrant County Inmate Jo Ann Lemmons, black female, DOB: XX/XX/1968, CID XXXXXXX, who had been house at the Tarrant County Correction Center Jail at 100 N Lamar St, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas 76196. Inmate Lemmons had been in TCSO custody since 06/24/2023 on Theft <$2,500 with 2 or More Previous Convictions.

Inmate Lemmons died on June 27, 2023 at approximately 0126 hours at John Peter Smith Hospital. Inmate Lemmons was transported to John Peter Smith Hospital via ambulance on June 26, 2023 after she experienced a medical emergency in her cell (62-A-23-01) on this date. During a face-to-face observation, the detention officer noticed that Inmate Lemmons appeared to be experiencing a medical emergency and called for Emergency Medical assistance.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office was notified and took possession of Inmate Lemons. Tarrant County Sheriff’s Detective Timothy Soria at TASoria@TarrantCountyTX.gov 817-884-1271 has been assigned the death investigation (TCSO report 2023-09131). The Fort Worth Police Department Major Case Unit will perform an independent review of the case. Further documentation and reports will follow the investigation as they become available.”

The report admits that Ms. Lemmons exhibited medical problems.  However, the report provides no information regarding any ongoing medical treatment Ms. Lemmons was receiving.

The United States Constitution requires Texas jails and jailers to provide medical care to inmates.  If jailers or medical personnel do not do so, and a person dies in a Texas jail, then certain family members may be able to file a federal civil rights lawsuit. Our firm has litigated and is litigating a number of such cases across Texas.

On July 13, 2023, a custodial death report (CDR) about 60-year-old Jose Trinidad Barrera was filed by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Barrera died in the custody of Bexar County Jail at St. Luke’s Baptist Hospital in San Antonio. An autopsy was completed, and it indicates that  Mr. Barrera died of complications of an intraventricular hemorrhagic stroke.

Does the Texas Heat Cause Inmate Deaths in County Jails? Continued

At least nine inmates who died in Texas lockups during this heat wave have died of heart attacks or unknown causes in various locations lacking air conditioning. Two of the men were in their 30s.

One 35-year-old man, who we will refer to as Inmate 1, was living in a stifling hot Huntsville prison. Although he was thirsty and exhausted, he set to work mowing sun-scorched fields on a recent morning. Inmate 1 collapsed and died by midday.

Along with four other prisoners, Inmate 1 died in mid-June, and the criminal justice system says cardiac arrest caused these deaths. The regions where they occurred were more than 100º F, according to an analysis of weather data and inmate death reports.

It is not clear at this time how much of a role heat may have played in these nine custodial deaths. They are all being investigated, and it is too soon to label them as heat-related.

Learn more in Part 1 and this ongoing series.

One of the reasons this website was created was to provide Texas inmates in municipal and county jails and their families with helpful resources. There is no intention of making accusations against individuals or entities on this site.

–Guest Contributor

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, in San Antonio, Texas, filed a report regarding the custodial death of Jose Trinidad Barrera. Mr. Barrera was 60 years old at the time of his death. We provide information we obtained from the report filed by the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, and we make no allegation of any wrongdoing.

That aside, there have been a significant number of deaths in the Bexar County jail over the last several years. Moreover, the Bexar County jail apparently continues to have significant issues. Our law firm is currently representing one family in a lawsuit against Bexar County regarding a custodial death.

Regarding Mr. Barrera, the summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“On Wednesday, June 28, 2023, a Code 1 Blue (Medical Emergency) was initiated for inmate Barrera, Jose #XXXXXX, at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center, Annex. Inmate was transported to St. Luke’s Baptist where he remained until his death on July 7, 2023. On Friday, July 7, 2023, at approximately 1235 hours, inmate was transported from his assigned hospital room to the operating room to prepare for organ harvesting surgery. At 1328 hours, inmate was removed from the ventilator. At 1403 hours, it was reported that the inmate stopped breathing. At 1433 hours, inmate was pronounced deceased per Dr. Francisco Guarjardo, while RN Olivia Goush was present. At the time of death, surgery commenced. The procedure was reported as completed at 1622 hours. The inmate was transported to the mortuary at 1711 hours.”

The report indicates that Mr. Barrera originally entered the jail at 9:24 a.m. on June 1, 2023. The report provides no additional information regarding any ongoing medical issues and/or treatment Mr. Barrera was receiving.

Texas jails must provide medical care to detainees and inmates. Jails must also protect inmates from known issues and other inmates. If jails fail to protect detainees, arrestees, and/or inmates, and/or fail to provide medical care, and a detainee, arrestee, or inmate dies as a result, then the family of such a person may be able to file a federal civil rights lawsuit. This is due to such guarantees being provided by the United States Constitution. Our Texas jail civil rights injury law firm is litigating a number of such cases across Texas and are experienced in doing so.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, in San Antonio, Texas, filed a report regarding the custodial death of Freeman Emmanuel Verne. Mr. Verne was 50 years old at the time of his death. We provide information we obtained from that document, and we do not allege any wrongdoing against anyone. 

The summary portion of the report reads in its entirety:

“On July 02, 2023, at approximately 0736 hours a Code 1 Blue (medical emergency) was announced in the Mental Health Unit (MHU) for Inmate Freeman, Verne #XXXXXXX, cell MF07, by Deputy O. Guzman #2056, via radio. The code was called when Dep Guzman and Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) Officer D. Sollohub #2074 entered the cell to clean the cell and administer prescribed medications to inmate Freeman. Upon entering the cell, Inmate Freeman was found unresponsive. LVN B. Thomas was in the unit and immediately began compressions. Additional medical personnel arrived and took over life saving measures. San Antonio Fire Department and Emergency Management Services (EMS) were called and arrived at approximately 0751 hours, at which time, they took over life saving measures. At 0806 hours, the inmate was pronounced deceased per MD Dr. Sparkman.”

The report provides no additional information regarding any ongoing medical or mental health treatment Mr. Verne was receiving. It also provides no information regarding his cause of death. 

The United States Constitution requires Texas jails to provide reasonable medical and mental health care to detainees. If jails fail to do so, and a person dies as a result, then family members may be able to file a federal civil rights lawsuit. Our Texas jail neglect and abuse law firm is handling a number of such cases across Texas. In fact, our firm, as of this post, is litigating a case against Bexar County regarding a death occurring in that jail.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, in San Antonio, Texas, filed a report regarding the custodial death of Darlene Francis. Ms. Francis was 53 years old at the time of her 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:

“On 06/30/2023, at approximately 907 hours, while conducting an observation check, Unit AC Dep. K. Vasquez #2094 observed Inmate Francis, Darlene #XXXXXX (AC26) lying face down on the floor of her cell. She opened the door and checked on the inmate, verbally, and by shaking her; but she was unresponsive. A Code 1 (Medical Assistance required) was immediately initiated. Registered Nurse J. Hogan was in the unit and responded to the area of the inmate and determined that a Code 1 Blue (Medical Emergency) was needed. A Code 1 Blue was initiated at 0909 hours. Rn Hogan began chest compressions. Special Emergency Team (SERT) Dep. D. Sollohub #2074 responded and assisted with moving the inmate (to create more room to perform chest compressions) and then took over chest compressions. Additional medical personnel arrived and took over life saving measures. Upon arrival of the San Antonio Fire Department, they took over life saving measures. At 0942 hours, the inmate was pronounced deceased by Dr. Cooley, UTHSCSA Medical Director.”

The report provides no further information about what led to Ms. Francis’ medical issues, or whether she was receiving ongoing medical treatment. Oddly, in response to the question about whether Ms. Francis exhibited any medical problems, the report said, “Unknown.” The report also indicates that Ms. Francis was originally incarcerated in the jail at 10:39 p.m. on June 28, 2023. 

Our law firm recently filed a case against Bexar County for the death of a young man in its jail. Bexar County has seemingly had significant issues in its jail over a number of years. The United States Constitution requires Bexar County, and other Texas counties, to protect detainees in their jails. If a county’s policies, practices, and/or customs, or its conditions of confinement, result in the death of a detainee or inmate, and there is a violation of the United States Constitution, then certain surviving family members may be able to bring a federal civil rights lawsuit. Our firm is litigating a number of such cases across Texas and is experienced in doing so.

Coryell County Jail is Cited Regarding Procedures for Prompt Medical Care

On April 11, 2022, inspectors with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) issued a special jail inspection report citing Coryell County Jail for three areas of noncompliance. Two of the minimum jail standards they failed to comply with are related to inmate health care.

Rule §273.2(3)~Health Services Plan

In the section on Health Services, Coryell County Jail was found non-compliant with two rules under Health Services Plan. Part 3 states that jails must provide procedures for efficient and prompt care for acute and emergency situations.

TCJS inspector Byron Shelton made this note about noncompliance with this rule:

• Reference Special Inspection on April 6, 2022, when it was discovered during a review of a complaint regarding the Coryell County Jail that the jail did not follow its approved health services plan regarding efficient and prompt care. As of today, the jail has not yet submitted its plan of action regarding this matter and has several more days before the deadline to do so. Deficiency still exists.

Details about this deficiency don’t reveal what documentation shows that the jail is not following its plan regarding efficient and prompt care for inmates in acute and emergency situations. Unfortunately, there have been many stories coming out of Texas county jails that show evidence that, for instance, an inmate begged for days for help before dying.

See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13 of this continuing series.

Helping inmates now or previously detained in a municipal or county jail in Texas is one of the purposes of this website. There is never any intention of suggesting that any individual or organization was engaged in misdeeds.

–Guest Contributor

The Montgomery County Jail, in Conroe, Texas, has been found to be non-compliant by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards. The Texas Commission on Jail Standards issued a notice of non-compliance on or about June 26th, 2023.

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards notice of non-compliance referenced an inspection requirements review and jail inspection report, issued on June 19th, 2023. The non-compliance notice apparently occurred as a result of a detainee death. Montgomery County jail administration told the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, during an internal investigation of the death in custody, that face-to-face observations of the deceased detainee did not occur due to the detainee obstructing the view of the jailers by placing a sheet over a cell door. Even though jailers made rounds within a mandated timeframe, jailers did not see the detainee face-to-face as required by minimum jail standards.

Our Texas jail neglect and abuse law firm unfortunately has seen this situation far too many times. There is no excuse for jailers allowing sheets or other objects to be placed on cell doors, and which obstruct the view of detainees. This violates all known jail standards. Thus, the death of this unidentified detainee in the Montgomery County Jail in Conroe, Texas potentially could have been prevented.

The United States Constitution requires jails across Texas to protect detainees in their care. If, as in this situation apparently, jailers fail to protect such detainees, through violation of clearly known jail standards, and a detainee dies as a result, then certain surviving family members may be able to file a federal constitutional rights lawsuit. Our jail neglect law firm has years of experience handling such cases across Texas, and we are well-experienced in analyzing the law applicable to such claims.

In a County Outside Texas, an Inmate Suffers Medical Neglect and Dies in Horrendous Conditions Continued

Following the inmate’s death, his family widely shared photos that supposedly showed the conditions inside their loved one’s jail cell. The deplorable condition of the cell is inexcusable. It was described as not being fit for a diseased animal.

The sheriff’s office addressed the issue of the infestation of lice, bed bugs, and other vermin. He allotted $500,000 in emergency expenses to go toward correcting the situation.

Noncompliance with the Rule Regarding the Distribution of Prescriptions

County jails are inspected at least once per year as a matter of course and special jail inspections follow custodial deaths. Inspectors with the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) check pertinent records, documents, and videos during inspections. When it comes to holding jails accountable for medical neglect, the only area where they are held to account, it seems, is in the area of providing inmates with their medications.

If inmates do not receive prescription medication while in jail, they are likely to suffer. Sadly, inmates sometimes die from denial of medical care such as receiving doctor-prescribed medication. In the next installment of this series, learn about Texas county jails that have recently been non-compliant with regard to the distribution of prescription medications.

See Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, and Part 11 of this continuing series.

Helping inmates now or previously detained in a municipal or county jail in Texas is one of the purposes of this website. There is never any intention of suggesting that any individual or organization was engaged in misdeeds.

–Guest Contributor

Myths about Inmate Suicide Continued

An Inmate Hangs Himself in Travis County Jail

• There was no height in this hanging incident nor was there even a partial suspension, but the inmate did not survive. Records show that no one had checked on him for a full hour. On February 9, 2022, an inmate at Travis County Jail in Austin, Texas, took his own life. An officer discovered that Jared Jon Bell hung himself by wrapping a telephone cord around his neck and sitting down. He was pronounced deceased at the scene of the hanging.

A significant number of hanging victims will experience a spinal fracture and, therefore, spinal immobilization should be taken into account at the scene. There should be easy access to a rescue tool, such a as a seatbelt cutting device, to lower the person to the floor for emergency CPR intervention.

When inmates in Texas die, a custodial death report (CDR) is sent to the Office of the Attorney General. When a suicide by hanging has occurred the “summary of how the death occurred” frequently mentions that a cutting device was used to cut the inmate down.

Also learn more in Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, and Part 12 of this continuing series.

Providing help to inmates now or formerly detained in a Texas municipal or county jail is one of the purposes of this website. There is never an intention of implying that misdeeds have occurred on the part of individuals or institutions.

–Guest Contributor

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) has recently listed McCulloch County Jail in Texas as a Non-Compliant Jail on the TCJS website. A Notice of Non-Compliance was issued on June 5, 2023. It specifies the minimum jail standard the jail was cited for in a special jail inspection report issued on June 2, 2023. TCJS inspectors allege that the Brady, Texas, jail violated 3 minimum jail standards.

The address of McCulloch County Jail is 900 E Main St, Brady, TX 76825. The jail has a housing capacity of 22 inmates. Details on alleged noncompliance follow.

Rule §273.2- Health Services Plan

McCulloch County Jail has been cited for violating Rule §273.2- Health Services Plan, which is in the chapter on Health Services. Each facility shall have and implement a written plan, approved by the Commission, for inmate medical, mental, and dental services.

• During the investigation of complaint 30962, it was determined that medication administration records (MARS) for the complainant are not in compliance with the approved Health Services plan on file for McCulloch County. The MARs do not have the inmate’s SO number, RX number, administration directions, state and end dates, or the beginning county as required by section B Record of Medication Administered, 1. Medication Sheet is on page 5 of the approved McCulloch County Jail Health Services plan. The presence of changes made without administration directions or effective dates complicates the clarity of these forms. Additionally, this plan requires a notation of an inmate’s refusal to sign for medication. The inmate’s initials are missing on numerous doses without an indication if the inmate refused medication or signed the sheet.

Rule §273.3-Health Instructions

McCulloch County Jail has been cited for violating Rule §273.3-Health Instructions, which is in the chapter on Health Services. All medical instructions of designated physicians shall be followed.

• During the investigation of complaint 30962, it was determined that medication administration records (MARS) do not clearly indicate that the medical instructions of physicians have been followed.

Rule §277.9-Laundering of Bedding and Linens

McCulloch County Jail has been cited for violating Rule §277.9- Laundering of Bedding and Linens, which is in the chapter on Clothing, Personal Hygiene, and Bedding. Washable items such as sheets, towels, and mattress covers shall be exchanged for clean replacements at least once each week, or more often if necessary. Blankets shall be laundered or dry cleaned at least every three months or more often if necessary.

• It was determined that the McCulloch County Jail launders sheets once a month.