PRINCIPAL OFFICE: DALLAS, TEXAS: (214) 670-9989 | TOLL FREE: (866) 670-9989

Category: Withdrawal death

Angelina County Jail Inmate Michael Stolich Dies in 36 Hours

iStock 535770221 2

Michael Allen Stolich was booked into Angelina County Jail at 11:06 PM on July 21, 2024. Tragically, Mr. Stolich died approximately 36 hours later. He was only 46 years old, and he had been housed in a detox cell. The Angelina County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Constable Thomas Selman promptly filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Stolich on July 26, 2024.

Mr. Stolich was arrested on an alcohol/drug offense, and the intake officer indicated that he appeared to be intoxicated at the time he entered the jail. The CDR shows that the means of death of Mr. Stolich was a drug overdose, though the results of an autopsy are pending.

The address of Angelina County Jail where Mr. Stolich was incarcerated is 2311 E. Lufkin Ave., Lufkin TX 75901.

Allegedly Intoxicated from Methamphetamine

In the summary of how Mr. Stolich’s death occurred, it is alleged that he was intoxicated by methamphetamine. After the completion of the intake process at Angelina County Jail, Mr. Stolich was placed in a detox cell. For the next 36 hours, he remained in that cell. He was observed fidgeting, often lying down, and also moving around. Mr. Stolich exhibited unusual behavior, such as having hallucinations and “tweaking” the entire time he was in the jail.

On the morning of July 23, 2024, before Mr. Stolich died, a nurse saw him and was able to communicate somewhat coherently. He was under observation every 10 minutes, which is the jail’s protocol for detox cells. At 11:19 AM, an officer discovered that he was lying on his stomach in what appeared to be an odd position. Lifesaving measures began, which included a nurse administering Naloxone (Narcan) to Mr. Stolich. An automated external defibrillator (AED) was also used, but it failed to restore a pulse. A detailed account of the efforts to revive Mr. Stolich includes him being transported by ambulance to a local hospital. There, he was pronounced deceased at 11:45 AM.

What is Meant by “Tweaking”?

Officers wrote about tweaking in the CDR about Mr. Stolich, which implies they are familiar with the term. It basically means that an individual is demonstrating that he or she is experiencing a critical phase in the cycle of stimulants such as methamphetamine or amphetamine. Among the distinct behavioral patterns associated with tweaking are:
• Heightened agitation, restlessness, and exhibiting extreme energy levels.
• Eventually, a person becomes utterly exhausted, despite previous evidence of boundless energy.

If a person who is overdosing on methamphetamine is administered Narcan early enough, it will usually save their life.

Seeking Justice for Deaths Due to Jail Neglect

Incarceration does not strip individuals of their civil rights. If you believe your loved one passed away in a Texas jail due to medical neglect, reach out to the Law Offices of Dean Malone immediately. As part of our commitment to fight for justice, we have a devoted team focused on cases involving custodial deaths. We also advocate for former detainees who have sustained life-altering injuries while in jail. Contact us any time via phone, text, or through our online form. We are dedicated to inmates’ basic human  rights and respond 24/7.

author avatar
smchugh

Oscar Lopez Dies in Hidalgo County Jail on Day 5

iStock 157569394 1
Inside The Old Idaho State Penitentiary

Oscar Lopez went through intake at Hidalgo County Jail on February 6, 2024. Tragically, he died in the jail’s custody four days later. The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Department filed the custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Lopez on July 9, 2024, which was 4 months past the filing deadline.

The summary of how Mr. Lopez’s death occurred indicates that he had difficulty breathing on February 9, 2024, and was transported to the South Texas Health System Heart Hospital at approximately 9:34 p.m. The hospital staff reported to the Hidalgo County Sheriff that Mr. Lopez coded three times while in their care before becoming unresponsive at 11:43 p.m. A justice of the peace pronounced him deceased at 12:02 a.m. on February 10, 2024. Mr. Lopez was only 39 years old.

Hidalgo County Jail is also known as the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center. The address of the Hidalgo County Jail is 1900 D Street, McAllen TX 78503. At maximum capacity, the facility can house up to 1,232 detainees.

Are Most Jail Deaths Due to Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal Preventable?

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) created a tool to help manage jail withdrawal and prevent unnecessary deaths. It was published in June 2023 and addresses a real problem. One related headline from a February 2017 publication reveals the motivation behind the more recent report. The headline reads, “Go to Jail. Die From Drug Withdrawal. Welcome to the Criminal Justice System.”

Inmates do not lose their fundamental rights because they are incarcerated. Jails are responsible for providing necessary medical, mental, and dental care. Various medical treatments are effective in preventing withdrawal deaths. Jails should be held accountable if their policies and procedures do not include strategies for effectively saving detainees from suffering severely and dying from the effects of withdrawal.

Guidelines for Jails to Manage Inmates in Withdrawal

When an inmate shows signs of drug or alcohol withdrawal, jails can anticipate and manage the severity of withdrawal symptoms and any psychiatric or medical comorbidities. An example of comorbidity is if a person shows evidence of a heart problem in addition to withdrawal symptoms, and the combined effect could be a risk factor for a poor outcome. Medications can be administered per substance-specific clinical orders. Jails are also encouraged to provide a supportive environment with access to hydration, nutrition, and sleep.

The Law Offices of Dean Malone: Your Advocates in Jail Neglect Cases

Do you suspect that a loved one died in jail due to neglect? Or were you previously detained in a Texas county or municipal jail and suffered a life-changing injury from medical neglect or abuse? It’s crucial to have legal assistance with extensive experience in these specific areas of law.

The Law Offices of Dean Malone is dedicated to addressing cases of jail neglect, inmate abuse, and jail deaths. With a longstanding commitment and trustworthy experience, we are here to help. Contact us anytime, day or night, via phone, text, or our online form for immediate assistance.

author avatar
smchugh

Howard County, Texas Jail Fails a May 2024 Jail Inspection

Front of Jail Cell

Howard County Jail in Texas is currently listed as a non-compliant jail on the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) website. The latest non-compliance correspondence was issued on June 3, 2024, following a May 31 jail inspection. TCJS inspectors found Howard County Jail is in violation of one minimum jail standard pertaining to inmate physical exercise and recreation, which must be provided for each inmate at least 1 hour three times per week.

Howard County Jail’s address is 3611 W Hwy 80, Big Spring, TX 79720. The jail has a housing capacity of approximately 96 inmates.

A 2024 Inmate Death in Howard County Jail was Caused by Drug Toxicity

Tragically, Howard County Jail is one among many U.S. jails that have had inmate deaths associated with substance abuse. Sadly, approximately 9 hours after his arrival at Howard County Jail, a 55-year-old detainee died of acute methamphetamine intoxication. This occurred in March 2024.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), death and suffering because of withdrawal from opioids, alcohol, methamphetamine, and other substances are preventable. Yet, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, drugs and alcohol are the third leading cause of death in U.S. jails.

Statistics in a report on this topic were based on the coding used to identify how deaths in jails occurred. It was found, however, that among the deaths that occurred within 7 days of arrest for alcohol intoxication, only 18% were officially coded to indicate it involved drugs/alcohol intoxication. During the 5 years covered in the report on U.S. jail statistics, substance withdrawal was associated with 103 deaths. Sixty-six of those deaths involved alcohol, 21 involved drugs (primarily opioids), and 16 were caused by unknown substances.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Methamphetamine Toxicity?

An estimated 10% of the criminal justice system population recently surveyed used meth or cocaine or misused stimulants at the time of the offense for which they were incarcerated. When methamphetamine is forcibly withdrawn because an individual is in jail, withdrawal reactions are quite common. Diagnosing stimulant intoxication or withdrawal requires qualified healthcare professionals.

Acute withdrawal symptoms usually last 7 to 10 days. The following are among the signs and symptoms of acute meth withdrawal:

  • Increased giddiness, vigor, and a sense of enhanced mental acuity and performance
  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Dehydration
  • Mental confusion
  • Lack of energy

Post-acute and protracted withdrawal symptoms from methamphetamine can include the following:

  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Drug cravings
  • Suicidal thoughts/ideation
  • Increased appetite
  • Excessive sleepiness and fatigue
  • Psychosis

Contact the Law Offices of Dean Malone for Help with Jail Neglect Cases

Are you in need of legal help because you believe a loved one died in jail due to neglect? Or were you formerly detained in a Texas county or municipal jail and suffered a severe injury from medical neglect or abuse? Having legal support with broad experience in such cases is vital.

At the Law Offices of Dean Malone, we are dedicated to addressing cases of jail neglect, inmate abuse, and jail deaths. With our years of experience, you can rely on us for trusted legal representation. Contact us promptly. We are available 24/7 via phone, text, or our online form.

 

author avatar
smchugh

Milton Kaiser Dies in DeWitt County, Texas Jail

iStock 969048466

Milton Wilson Kaiser III was only 34 years old when he was booked into Dewitt County Jail at 8:50 PM on April 12, 2024. Tragically, he was pronounced deceased less than 32 hours later on April 14, 2024. The Dewitt County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Chief Deputy John Garoni filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Kaiser on April 30, 2024. The CDR indicates that, during intake, Mr. Kaiser appeared to be intoxicated with drugs or alcohol.

In the summary of how the death occurred, a jailer discovered Mr. Kaiser without a pulse on the floor of his cell. He was stiff and cold. His right arm was extended upwards and his fist was closed. Within minutes, he was pronounced deceased in the holding cell where he had been temporarily housed.

The Dewitt County Jail facility where Mr. Kaiser was placed is at 208 East Live Oak Street Suite C in Cuero, TX 77954. The bed capacity of the Cuero jail is 161.

What are the Symptoms of Severe Withdrawal Resulting in Death?

Deaths from withdrawal are preventable. Tragically, there are many occasions when detainees in local jails appear to have died from withdrawal within hours of being booked. In every instance, according to medical experts, withdrawal death can be prevented by providing appropriate treatment. Due to the symptoms of withdrawal, coroners usually list dehydration as the cause of death.

In a 2015 withdrawal death in a state outside Texas, the coroner ruled that the cause of the dehydration death of a 25-year-old man was “drug withdrawal.” The following are among the symptoms that the man exhibited, including severe withdrawal, as seen in video evidence:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Low blood pressure
  • Too dehydrated to provide a urine sample
  • No longer able to walk
  • No longer able to unclench his fingers
  • He fell to the ground, trembling

The detainee begged for an IV, saying he knew from a previous detox that withdrawing from the combination of drugs in his system was especially risky. Those drugs were heroin and Xanax, an opioid and benzodiazepine, respectively.

In answer to his request, he was allegedly told that IVs were only used when it was an absolute necessity. He lived only six hours longer. A nurse for the third-party healthcare provider said it was certainly not the policy for them to deny patients indicated, appropriate treatment. Yet, it is considered almost certain that his life could have been saved with a simple IV.

Has a Family Member Died in Jail From Possible Jail Neglect?

It is always important to work with attorneys who concentrate on the type of case you need help with. If you think a family member in a Texas jail died due to neglect, contact the Law Offices of Dean Malone. We may also be able to help if you were severely injured during incarceration in a Texas jail. We have gained years of experience representing inmates and, when there has been a custodial death, the interests of their families.

Contact us today. You can schedule a free case evaluation 24/7 by phone call, text, or our online form.

author avatar
smchugh
MENU