Cook County Sheriff’s Office Sued for Chicago Wrongful Death of Woman Jailed for Stealing Diapers for her 4-Year-Old
The family of a young mother who died in a jail cell is suing the Cook County Sheriff’s Office for Chicago wrongful death. Jeannetta McDowell was arrested for stealing diapers on June 6, 2008. According to family members, the 26-year-old took the diapers because she has a 4-year-old son and she couldn’t afford to pay for them.
McDowell’s body was discovered in her cell three days after she was detained. Her autopsy report stated that there was dry vomit on her shirt. According to her grandmother, Darlene Warren, this indicates she was “crying out for help” but her pleas were ignored.
At the time of her death, McDowell, who was a drug user, had bronchial asthma and an inflamed heart muscle. Warren says that police should have asked her granddaughter if she had any preexisting medical conditions or if she was on any medication when they brought her in. McDowell’s mother told the media her daughter was carrying an inhaler in her purse.
Cook County is the largest single-site county jail in the US. In July, the US Attorney’s Office and the US Justice Department’s civil rights division issued their findings from a 17-month investigation of the facility.
The findings reported a “culture of abuse” that allowed guards to conduct organized beatings of inmates who verbally insulted them and made it possible for prisoners to commit violent acts against each other. Medical care deficiencies and serious sanitation problems were also noted. During the first four months of 2008, three Cook County Jail prisoners committed suicide and several others died because they did not receive adequate medical care.
Over 9,000 inmates waiting for criminal trials are housed at the jail, which is located on Chicago’s West Side. Many prisoners are mentally ill or old. The report stated that jail officers will sometimes hit a prison for getting dressed or undressing too slowly. Other deficiencies cied in the report:
• Inadequate staffing
• Poor supervision
• Making prisoners stay in cells for extended periods
• Plumbing deficiencies
• Inadequate lighting
• Extended lockdown in inhumane conditions
• Making prisoners share beds by rotating them in 8-hour shifts. This is known as “hot bunking”
• Poor sanitation
• Infection control issues
• Creating an environment where it is easy for prisoners to make weapons
A jail can be sued for Chicago personal injury or wrongful death if poor supervision, negligent care, inadequate security, negligent conditions, or unsafe or hazardous conditions contributed to the injury or death. A prisoner who was the victim of Chicago police brutality may also opt to file a complaint alleging civil rights violations.
Family Sues After Woman Dies In Cook County Jail, CBS2Chicago, October 9, 2009
Federal investigation rips Cook County Jail, Chicago Defender, July 22, 2009
Related Web Resources:
Wrongful Death Act
Related Web Resources:
Wrongful Death Act, Illinois General Assembly
