Family sues Lawrence County Jail over inmate's death
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The mother and boyfriend of a woman who committed suicide in the Lawrence County Correctional Facility sued that county and its jail medical provider today, saying she was not properly monitored during a four-day stay in the lock-up.
Kathleen Ann Rogan was 31 when she was arrested for child endangerment, and she "was visibly under the influence of unlawful substances and emotionally unstable" when taken to the jail, according to the complaint in U.S. District Court. She had a history of suicide attempts, drug addiction and mental impairment, said the complaint by attorneys Jonathan Solomon and Phillip W. Berezniak.
Admitted on Oct. 7, 2010, the mother of two was put on 24-hour suicide watch, the suit said. But starting on Oct. 10, it said, her status was changed and she was subject to checks only every 30 minutes.
She was found hung with a bed sheet on Oct. 11, it said.
The jail and its Harrisburg-based healthcare provider Prime Care Medical should have monitored her more closely, it said. Failure to due so violated her due process rights, constituted medical malpractice and resulted in a wrongful death, said the lawsuit, which calls for compensation for mental anguish, economic loss and punitive damages.
Lawrence County Solicitor Tom Leslie could not be immediately reached for comment.
First Published September 24, 2012 4:29 pm
