Family of man who died in Atlanta jail allege he was “eaten alive” by bed bugs
The family of a man who died in an Atlanta jail cell has alleged that he was “eaten alive by insects and bed bugs,” according to their lawyer.
Lashawn Thompson had been incarcerated on a misdemeanour charge and was placed in the psychiatric wing of the Fulton County Jail after officials deemed him mentally ill.
Family attorney Michael D. Harper released photos showing Mr Thompson’s body riddled with bugs and is calling for a criminal investigation, with a lawsuit pending.
“The jail cell Mr Thompson was housed in was not fit for a diseased animal. He did not deserve this,” Mr Harper said in a statement.
According to a report from the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office, Mr Thompson was found unresponsive in his cell on September 19, three months after his arrest. Local police and medical personnel attempted to resuscitate him but he was pronounced dead.
Jail records reviewed by Mr Harper show that detention officers and medical staff noticed Mr Thompson’s deteriorating condition but took no action to provide aid or help, CBS News reported.
The medical examiner’s report confirmed a “severe bed bug infestation” in Mr Thompson’s cell in the psychiatric ward but noted no clear signs of trauma on his body. The cause of death was listed as undetermined.
Photos released by the lawyer depict a morbid scene of Mr Thompson’s face and torso covered in bugs, while the conditions of the cell seen in the images are described as “horrific” by Michael Potter, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky who specializes in bed bugs.
“I’ve dealt with bed bugs for over 20 years. I’ve never seen anything quite to this level, if this is in fact what I’m seeing,” Mr Potter said.
While bed bug bites are not typically fatal, prolonged exposure to a massive infestation can cause severe anaemia in rare cases, which can be lethal if left untreated, according to Mr Potter. In extreme cases, victims may also experience an allergic reaction and go into anaphylactic shock, which can be deadly.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, which runs the jail, has launched a full investigation into Mr Thompson’s death and announced an immediate expenditure of $500,000 to address the infestation of bed bugs, lice, and other vermin within the facility. The Office also updated protocols for security rounds to include addressing sanitary conditions.
“It’s no secret that the dilapidated and rapidly eroding conditions of the current facility make it incredibly difficult to meet the goal of providing a clean, well-maintained, and healthy environment for all inmates and staff,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
The ongoing investigation is examining details regarding the medical care provided and will ultimately determine whether any criminal charges are warranted in this case, according to the statement.
The Sheriff’s Office also reiterated a call for a new, larger jail to provide “an elite level of care, mental health services, security, and cleanliness,” as the current facilities have a reputation for being overpopulated, underfunded, and unsanitary.
Last year, the Southern Center for Human Rights published a press release outlining the many troubles plaguing the facility and offering recommendations to “contain future outbreaks” and improve “hygiene practices.”
BBC
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