Island County Sheriff Mark Brown has apologised for dehydrating and starving Keaton Farris, a 25-year-old man suffering from mental illness, to death.
“I am truly sorry for this tragic death. Our highest priority is the safety and wellbeing of our inmates and staff and this report describes a systematic breakdown of policies, procedures and communication that led to this tragedy. Mr. Farris did not receive the attention and care he needed. We are determined to do everything possible to minimize the chances of this kind of a tragedy from occurring in our jail ever again,” Brown said in a press release.
Keaton, accused of cashing a $355 check that didn’t belong to him, was arrested by Lynnwood police on March 20 for failing to show up for a hearing in San Juan County Superior Court. On April 8, he was found dead in his cell.
Frederick Farris, Keaton’s father told RT, “It is so harrowing and so ridiculous the amount of neglect, torture. We would like to see all inmates receive proper medical attention, food, water, that’s needed to be healthy, and be monitored and checked on a reasonable amount [of time]. This blatant disregard, they treated him like a subhuman. My theory was that he was crying out for help because no one was checking up on him.”
Island County Coroner Robert Bishop reported that Keaton died from dehydration and malnutrition. Keaton was suffering from mental health issues and had been both combative and non-responsive with jail staff in three different counties. Negligence and errors by both corrections deputies – Mark Moffitt and David Lind – and jail administration contributed to Keaton’s tragic death, the report added. While Lt. Pam McCarthy was placed on paid administrative leave pending a disciplinary review, Chief De Dennis, the jail administrator, was suspended for 30 days without pay.
An outside investigation, carried out by Detective Ed Wallace, found that the water had been shut off to Keaton’s cell, and corrections deputies falsified inspection logs. For the nearly two weeks he was in the Island County Jail, his fluid intake was less than a quarter of the amount considered minimum for survival. Medical staff wasn’t called to examine him until the day before he died and the nurse didn’t relate any concerns to jail staff. Instead of treating the mentally ill and distressed man, Keaton was met with force, tasers, and restraints.
Keaton’s family is expected to file a lawsuit. Kathy Goater, the family lawyer, told The Daily Herald Net, “The family is devastated. The report is shocking. There was a complete disregard for the health and safety of a mentally ill man. It is clear that protocols and procedures were not followed. What happened to Farris is unconscionable. His death was completely preventable.”
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sure they actually “forgot him”
Eye for an eye. my first thought… The nurse to. everybody else there that anything to do with this.. at the very least prosecutors should be charging them with capital murder…
Urrgg… it’s sick how obviously it is how these bastards are lying…. ohhh im sooo sorry… i made him suffer for days but im so sorry! I mean come the fuck on, you know damn well that you are torturing a human being for days and shut the water off too and youre fucking sorry!? Im disgusted! I hooe those people involved burn in hell for eternity!
Look there not sorry anyone who was ever arrested know whats its like inside the cops always treat you like shit and depending on your race and the cops race your treatment is worst, they dont respect you they dont want respect they want power since in there home there is not hahaha but joke aside this is a real problem how about starting a petetion to have the cop arrested and everyone else involved and for any other cop in any jail system that is doing this as we speak.