Current:Home > NewsArkansas county jail and health provider agree to $6 million settlement over detainee’s 2021 death-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Arkansas county jail and health provider agree to $6 million settlement over detainee’s 2021 death
View Date:2024-12-24 08:05:11
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A county in western Arkansas and a health provider have agreed to a $6 million settlement with the family of a man who died from dehydration and malnutrition while being held in a local jail, an attorney for the family said Thursday.
Sebastian County and Turn Key Health Clinics LLC agreed to each pay $3 million to Larry Eugene Price Jr.'s family to settle a lawsuit filed over Price’s 2021 death, attorney Erik Heipt said in a news release.
“The size of this settlement reflects the magnitude of the atrocity that occurred,” Heipt said. “We were honored to represent Mr. Price’s family in their pursuit of justice, and we hope that this historic result sends a powerful message to every single jail and prison in America that this type of blatant disregard for human life will not be tolerated.”
A spokesperson for Turn Key confirmed it had agreed to the settlement. The Sebastian County Quorum Court voted to settle the lawsuit last month. An attorney for the county did not respond to messages seeking comment.
Price died after being held a little over a year at the facility awaiting trial on a terroristic threatening charge. Price, 51, who had a history of serious mental illness, had been held in solitary confinement at the county facility, according to the lawsuit his family filed last year.
The lawsuit against Sebastian County accused the jail and Turn Key of neglecting Price as he ate and drank less over the course of a year and his weight dropped from 185 pounds (83.91 kilograms) to 90 pounds (40.82 kilograms).
Jail staff discontinued Price’s mental health medications after he refused to take them and didn’t make any effort to follow up with the inmate to address his mental health needs, the lawsuit says.
Turn Key said in a statement that at the time of Price’s death, it provided medical care and eight hours of psychiatric services per week, but not counseling or acute mental health counseling services. It said the center contracted with the county to provide mental health counseling services failed to do so with Price.
“After Mr. Price’s death, Turn Key and Sebastian County agreed that having a different mental health counseling provider from the medical and psychiatric provider at the jail was not in the best interests of patients at the SCDC,” spokesperson Kenna Griffin said. “Turn Key now provides all medical, mental health counseling, and psychiatric services at Sebastian County.”
Rodney Price, Larry Price’s brother, called his brother’s death “inexcusable” but hoped the case and the settlement would lead to changes in the criminal justice system.
“While no amount of money could bring my brother back, this victory will help give our family some closure as we move forward,” Rodney Price said in a statement. “And we hope and pray that it will lead to changes in how our jails treat people in their custody and will save lives in the future.”
veryGood! (66418)
Related
- NFL power rankings Week 11: Steelers, Eagles enjoying stealthy rises
- French rail system crippled before start of Olympics: See where attacks occurred
- Can Randy Arozarena save the free-falling Seattle Mariners?
- Alabama prison chief responds to families’ criticism
- Jason Kelce Jokes He Got “Mixed Reviews” From Kylie Kelce Over NSFW Commentary
- Gizmo the dog went missing in Las Vegas in 2015. He’s been found alive after 9 years
- Canada soccer's use of drones could go back years, include men's national team
- We might be near end of 'Inside the NBA' – greatest sports studio show ever
- What do nails have to say about your health? Experts answer your FAQs.
- Harris will carry Biden’s economic record into the election. She hopes to turn it into an asset
Ranking
- Louisiana mom arrested for making false kidnapping report after 'disagreement' with son
- 2024 Paris Olympics: See Every Winning Photo From the Opening Ceremony
- Nebraska Supreme Court upholds law restricting both medical care for transgender youth and abortion
- A 15-year-old sentenced to state facility for youths for role in Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally
- 'Wanted' posters plastered around University of Rochester target Jewish faculty members
- Megan Fox Plays the Role of a Pregnant Woman in Machine Gun Kelly's New Music Video
- US promises $240 million to improve fish hatcheries, protect tribal rights in Pacific Northwest
- ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, historic leader of Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel, and son of ‘El Chapo’ arrested in US
Recommendation
-
Bowl projections: SEC teams joins College Football Playoff field
-
Cute & Comfortable Summer Shoes That You Can Wear to the Office
-
Former cast member of MTV's '16 and Pregnant' dies at 27: 'Our world crashed'
-
Feds: New Orleans police officer charged with fraud amid tryst with mayor
-
Glen Powell Addresses Rumor He’ll Replace Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible Franchise
-
What Team USA medal milestones to watch for at Paris Olympics
-
Pregnant Gypsy Rose Blanchard Unveils Massive New Back Tattoo
-
Champagne sales are down. Why aren't people buying the bubbly like they used to?