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Detention Center Sued Over In-Custody Death
21 Apr
Summary
- A new lawsuit alleges negligence following an inmate's death on March 30, 2024.
- The inmate showed severe intoxication and suicidal ideation upon arrival.
- The lawsuit claims no medical screening or continuous monitoring was provided.
A lawsuit alleging wrongful death and negligence has been filed against the Cherokee County Detention Center. This action stems from the death of Justin Wayne Hammons, who passed away while in custody on March 30, 2024. This marks the second wrongful death lawsuit filed against the facility within the past year.
According to the legal filing, Hammons was arrested the same day he died and displayed clear signs of severe drug intoxication, agitation, and medical compromise. The complaint asserts that despite these indicators and alleged statements of suicidal ideation, no medical screening or evaluation was performed. Hammons was reportedly restrained and subjected to force during the booking process before being placed in a visitation cell.
The lawsuit contends that detention center staff failed to provide continuous monitoring and did not seek medical assistance when Hammons' condition required it. He was discovered unresponsive and resuscitation efforts were hindered by restraints. He was transported to a medical center and pronounced dead that evening. An autopsy later determined methamphetamine toxicity as the cause of death.
